Created by Head of Key Stage Three for English- This unit of work aims to introduce students to both historical and modern ballads and narrative poetry. Students will be taught the conventions and language methods used when writing Ballads (including poetic devices, accent and dialect and enunciation) and will be taught how to write their own. The unit of work begins with a relatively simple poem -Charlotte Dymond- and works towards The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.

The resource also includes a reading comprehension assessment appropriate for Year 8/9 on The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

Ballads taught include:

• The Ballad of Charlotte Dymond (1 lesson)
• The Ballad of Hillsborough (2 lessons)
• The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (2 weeks worth of lessons plus assessment)
• The Lady of Shalott (1 lesson)
• The Lion and Albert (1 lesson)

All Ballads are readily available online and some have been included in pack.
Planned for 2026- all lessons are fully KS3 National Curriculum compliant with links to PSHE. Lots of opportunities for speaking and listening.

Separate SOW not available (I am on mat leave and haven’t had a chance to update it to new unit!) Please message me if you need.