1. How to Pass: N5 and Higher English
(help your child) ^
How to Pass: N5 and Higher English
Mr. Freinberg

2. The Benefits of N5 and Higher English
Improves the skills needed for communication both in Further Education, but also in the real world no mater which destination you end up at. (Reading, Writing, Talking, Listening)
Engagement with a wider variety of literature/language/ media texts to expose students to diversity of people, places, events, thoughts, and ideas outside their own experience.
Mandatory Scottish texts aim to develop awareness of a rich social and cultural heritage they are part of.

3. Outline
Component 1 – Reading for Understanding, Analysis, and Evaluation
Exam Format, School/Home Work Split, OneNote Tools and Reading
Component 2 – Critical Reading
Component 3 – Portfolio Pieces
Submission Types, School/Home Work Split, OneNote Tools and Reading

4. Breakdown of the Exam
Students answer questions on 2 unseen non-fiction prose passages which are related in theme. Questions test their ability to understand the writer's ideas, to analyse the writer's techniques, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the writing

5. Structure of Component 1: RUAE{
25 Marks on Opinion Text #1
(Imagery, Word Choice, Sentence Structure, Own Words, etc.) {
5 Marks on Opinion Text #1 & #2
Identifying Similarities or Differences

6. Question Types/Strategies
Division of Work: RUAE
School
Homework
Question Types/Strategies
Regular Reading
Annotating the Text
Practice Exams
Assessment
of Past Papers
OneNote
Collaboration

7. RUAE Homework: Reading
While we do spend a significant amount of time in class working on Component 1, regular reading is imperative to getting a good mark. Practice makes perfect. (This also applies to Past Papers assigned to be completed at home)
Regular reading is organised on OneNote

8. Reading HW Part 1 – Finding an Article
Students find an opinion or feature article online, from a reputable news source, similar style to the exams text for Higher.
Teachers may tell students to focus on a specific issue for the weeks homework (e.g. Autism Awareness April 1-7th)
Students then paste a link into their shared group space, so all members of their learning group can access it.

9. Student
This student has found an interesting article, written a blurb, and attached a link for their learning group to see.

10. Part 2 – Annotation and Answers
Annotate your text
(underline, circle, make notes)
2. Answer questions
(choose 4/7 question types, write sample answers)
3. Read Another Text
(read and respond to another student’s article)

11. They then read and comment on someone else’s article
The student added 4/7 answers, each responding to a different type of exam question
They then read and comment on someone else’s article

12. The student self-checks they have done both parts of the homework – which makes tracking easy for student/teacher/parent/carer.

13. To help at home..
make sure your child has a good quiet reading space and access to quality articles
ask them questions about their chosen article (make this a weekly activity - mark it on calendar, discuss the topic over dinner)
help with past papers by being their timer or double checking their answers

14. Component 2: Critical Reading
Critical Reading consists of…

15. Structure of Component 2: Critical Reading{
20 Marks on Scottish Set Text
(Studied in Class: Drama, Prose, or Poetry)
10 Mark Short Answers + 10 Mark Question {
20 Mark Critical Essay
(Studied in Class: Drama, Prose Fiction, Prose Non-Fiction, Poetry, Film and TV Drama, or Language)

16. Division of Work: Critical Essay
School
Homework
Reading/Taking Notes
Reading Texts
Practice Exams
Untimed/Timed
Revising and
Annotating
Exam Strategies

17. Component 2: Reading at home
Time in class working on Component 2 is spent reading and analysing different texts (incl. Scottish set texts).
Due to the nature of the course, students are expected to complete reading homework set by the teacher, and revise texts when necessary. Reading is vital – essays of students who have carefully read the text stand out and get better marks than those who rely heavily on revision guides.
Regular reading is usually organised on OneNote

18. OneNote: Reading Schedule Example

19. Component 2: Poetry Set Text OneNote

20. Component 2: Poetry Set Text School Website

21. Component 3: Portfolio Writing
Portfolio Writing consists of two larger pieces of writing, broken down on the next slide

22. Component 3: Portfolio

23. Division of Work: Portfolio
School
Homework
Writing Techniques
Writing Texts
Research and Peer Assessment
Research and
Note-Taking
Editing/Proofreading

24. Portfolio Homework: Writing
While we also spend time in class working on Component 3, especially writing skills, regular writing and editing is crucial to receiving a good mark. Practice makes perfect
To help at home:
Make sure your child has a good quiet writing space
Ask questions about their work and writing
Check in on progress when a deadline is approaching

25. Component 3: OneNote usage

26. Using Pressreader
Choose from contemporary < magazines > newspapers, articles, for extra reading.
Accessibility features allow students to sit back and listen to a recording of the text

27. Review: What is done at home/what you can assist with!
Component 1
Regular Reading
Practice
Exams
OneNote
Collaboration
Component 2
Reading
Revising and
Annotating
Practice Exams
Component 3
Writing
Research and
Note-Taking
Editing/
Proofreading