1. Year 9 English SATs How to achieve Level 5 and Level 6

2. Reading: Level 5 and Level 6 5  I can select information from the text to support my view  I can identify the key features, themes and characters from the text I am reading  When researching, I can gather and organise information from different places  I can make simple comparisons between texts 6  I can comment on different layers of meaning  I can talk about how writers use structure, themes and language  When researching, I can summarise information from lots of different places  I am beginning to understand how social, cultural and historical context relate to what is written

3. The Reading Paper A Reading Booklet containing three extracts and a set of questions on each Time Limit: 1 hour and 15 minutes (including 15 minutes reading time) (including 15 minutes reading time) Marks: 32

4. Top Tips: Levels 5 and 6 on the Reading Paper:  Read all the extracts in the booklet carefully during the reading time  Highlight key words which are important in the extract  Write your own comments and ideas, rather than copying or describing what you have read  Understand why the writer has written what they have and what their opinions are on the topic  For longer answers, remember to use Point, Evidence and Explanation  Use quotations and examples from the writing and link them to your own comments  Remember to answer all the questions

5. The Shakespeare Paper A reading task on ‘The Tempest’, focusing on two key scenes and requiring an essay-style answer Time Limit: 45 minutes Marks: 18

6. Example Shakespeare Task  What impressions do you get of Prospero from the way he speaks and behaves in the play?

7. Top Tips: Levels 5 and 6 on the Shakespeare Paper:  Use Point, Evidence, Explanation in each paragraph you write – include more than one piece of evidence if it strengthens your point  Comment in detail on characters’ speech and behaviour, explaining the reasons for their actions  Explain in detail how the language they use is effective and in what ways  Consider how an audience might react to what they are watching and how this affects their opinions about characters and their understanding of events  Use an effective range of vocabulary to clearly express your own ideas and opinions on the play

8. A Level 5 PEE Paragraph Prospero shows the audience he is a powerful magician in Act 1, Scene 2. For example, he says to Ariel: “It was mine Art, when I arrived and heard thee, that made gape that pine, and let thee out.” Lines 291 – 293. This clearly shows his power as, through his own magic, he is able to release Ariel from Sycorax’s wicked spell which left him imprisoned in a tree for twelve years. Prospero shows the audience he is a powerful magician in Act 1, Scene 2. For example, he says to Ariel: “It was mine Art, when I arrived and heard thee, that made gape that pine, and let thee out.” Lines 291 – 293. This clearly shows his power as, through his own magic, he is able to release Ariel from Sycorax’s wicked spell which left him imprisoned in a tree for twelve years.

9. A Level 6 PEE Paragraph Prospero presents himself as a strong and powerful magician in Act 1, Scene 2, as, not only does he help to conjure up the storm in the previous scene, he also tells the audience how he has released Ariel from a terrible punishment. As Ariel attempts to seek his freedom, Prospero reminds him, “It was mine Art, when I arrived and heard thee, that made gape that pine, and let thee out.” Lines 291 – 293. Consequently, Prospero is clearly demonstrating his power and superiority over Ariel by reminding him of the evil spell which left him imprisoned in a tree for twelve years, as well as showing how his power was greater than that of Sycorax. “Mine Art” emphasises the fact that it was he who rescued him from this torment, through his expertise in magic, and almost immediately (“when I arrived”) which shows Prospero’s selflessness and kindness in helping a stranger. As a result, Ariel feels obliged to keep serving his master until all his commands have been fulfilled. Prospero presents himself as a strong and powerful magician in Act 1, Scene 2, as, not only does he help to conjure up the storm in the previous scene, he also tells the audience how he has released Ariel from a terrible punishment. As Ariel attempts to seek his freedom, Prospero reminds him, “It was mine Art, when I arrived and heard thee, that made gape that pine, and let thee out.” Lines 291 – 293. Consequently, Prospero is clearly demonstrating his power and superiority over Ariel by reminding him of the evil spell which left him imprisoned in a tree for twelve years, as well as showing how his power was greater than that of Sycorax. “Mine Art” emphasises the fact that it was he who rescued him from this torment, through his expertise in magic, and almost immediately (“when I arrived”) which shows Prospero’s selflessness and kindness in helping a stranger. As a result, Ariel feels obliged to keep serving his master until all his commands have been fulfilled.

10. Writing: Level 5 and Level 6 5  I can write in different forms for different readers  I can spell some complex words correctly  I can organise my writing into simple paragraphs and link them with connectives  I usually use commas, apostrophes and inverted commas correctly 6  I can skilfully adapt my writing style for different purposes and readers  I use different sentence types to make my writing more interesting  My spelling of all words is generally correct  My paragraphs are correct and linked by a variety of connectives

11. The Writing Paper Long Writing Task – Time Limit: 45 minutes Marks: 30 Short Writing Task – Time Limit: 30 minutes Marks: 20

12. Top Tips: Levels 5 and 6 on the Writing Paper:  Decide which writing triplets the task is covering: To inform, describe, explain To inform, describe, explain To imagine, explore, entertain To imagine, explore, entertain To persuade, argue, advise To persuade, argue, advise To analyse, review, comment To analyse, review, comment  Consider SLAP - Style, Language, Audience, Purpose  Organise and structure your writing, using paragraphs and connectives  Write sentences of different lengths to make your ideas clear and to keep your work interesting to read  Use correct punctuation and grammar  Choose a wide range of vocabulary to explain your ideas  Use correct spelling

13. Example Writing Task ‘Some people waste a lot of time and energy attempting difficult and dangerous sports, such as sky diving and bungee jumping. Sports like these are pointless and benefit nobody.’ ‘Some people waste a lot of time and energy attempting difficult and dangerous sports, such as sky diving and bungee jumping. Sports like these are pointless and benefit nobody.’ Your local newspaper wants an article either arguing for or against this statement. Your local newspaper wants an article either arguing for or against this statement.

14. SLAPSLAPSLAPSLAP SSSStyle – newspaper, informative, argumentative, formal LLLLanguage – personal, arguing a point of view, emotional AAAAudience – adults, people who do/do not participate in extreme supports, people who currently do not have an opinion PPPPurpose – to argue a point of view, to persuade others to agree with it

15. A Level 6 SLAP Paragraph Extreme sports have become increasingly popular over the last 15 years and more and more people are seeking challenges, in addition to working full-time and raising a family, to enhance their life experiences. As a result, I, for one, believe people should be able to participate in any activity they choose, to some extent, as long as it is done safely and is supervised by people who know what they are doing. For example, I have never felt more exhilarated than when I completed a breath-taking 3000 foot bungee jump over the Nevada desert, knowing it was conducted under the watchful eye of my instructor and my safety was of utmost importance. Extreme sports have become increasingly popular over the last 15 years and more and more people are seeking challenges, in addition to working full-time and raising a family, to enhance their life experiences. As a result, I, for one, believe people should be able to participate in any activity they choose, to some extent, as long as it is done safely and is supervised by people who know what they are doing. For example, I have never felt more exhilarated than when I completed a breath-taking 3000 foot bungee jump over the Nevada desert, knowing it was conducted under the watchful eye of my instructor and my safety was of utmost importance. Furthermore, … Furthermore, …

16. Final Top Tips  R R R Reading Paper - Read extracts and questions carefully Highlight key words to help understanding Use PEE in longer answers SSSShakespeare Paper – Explain characters’ behaviour, language and key themes Show understanding of the text as a play and the audience’s reactions to it Use PEE  W W W Writing Paper- Use SLAP Organise writing into paragraphs and use connectives Vary sentences and vocabulary for added interest Check spelling, punctuation and grammar carefully

17. Revision Opportunities  Wednesday 14 th March – 2 hour workshop with the Mopa Theatre Company on the set scenes in ‘The Tempest £3.00 per student £3.00 per student  English ‘The Scary Bits’ Reading and Writing Revision Guide - £2.50  English ‘The Tempest’ Shakespeare Revision Guide – £2.50