Check out our selection of top back to school tips for parents.

1. Build a solid relationship
Your relationship with your children has a great effect on them. So it’s important not to act too crazed about the return to school. Build in extra time, put irrelevant projects on hold, stay rested, and try to stick closer to your kids

2. Get your kids Reacquainted with school friends
Even if your child knows the school well, it still feels good to get reacquainted. Your kids may enjoy meeting with another child from his/her school or class before the first day.

3. Don’t Clean the Slate
Fresh starts are so promising that we tend to overdo them. This may seem like a great time to set new ground rules for family life. Chores are reassigned, allowances renegotiated, and after-school sports and activities scheduled. While change is good, the timing requires some reflection. Too much too soon can make even the most cooperative child balk. Focus on the start of school, and revisit the other issues after your kids feel more settled.

4. Be Reassuring
Tell your child that they’ll be fine!

5. Set the Stage
Shopping for supplies and clothes should be fun, but overdoing this can be boring and a little scary. Spend time thinking together about quiet time and reading and work space in the house.

It’s that time of year again when parents, students and teachers are all getting ready for the start of a new academic year.

At Learn-Thru-Music we aim to make the back to school experience a fun painless experience. Our range of GCSE English and English Literature learning songs have been created to help students gain a head start in their studies.

Learn-Thru-Music learning songs detail the key points of 14 GCSE English and GCSE English Literature topics. Songs include specialised learning notes and sing along backing tracks.

See the shop section for demos of all our GCSE English and GCSE English Literature songs!

This article focuses on 10 last minute revision tips to help you with your GCSE English and GCSE English Literature exam revision.

1. Don’t do it all at once. We only retain a certain amount of what we learn in a single sitting. You are far better off spreading your revision over a week than cramming the night before (if you have no choice, see here. Even fifteen minute slots before you go to bed each night, or on the journey to school can make all the difference.

2. Walk the dog (or tortoise, or small sibling, or whatever). Go for short walks whenever you can. The change of scenery will stimulate your imagination and your learning capabilities. Take a sheet of paper with a few quotes to learn for an essay, or some formula, or a vocabulary list, and you’ll be surprised at how much more you take in just being outside.

3. Cram it all in – onto one sheet of paper, that is. Try to summarise a module or a topic on a single sheet of paper that you can stick to your wall. Not only will you be reminded of your notes whenever you walk past them, but fitting the material into a set space forces you to mentally organise the information, a massive step towards learning it. Making your notes is 50% of your revision

4. Get personal. Relate your notes to your bedroom, to your favorite colours, your favorite foods. Make up stories involving the information you have to learn. Once for an exam, I had to remember the stages of a phonological change called ‘Grimm’s Law’. It was indeed grim (just like that pun).

5. Get out the colouring pens! Making all of your revision notes in black ballpoint is fatal – buy some cheap felt tips and write different words in different colours. Pictures tell a thousand words, remember, especially if they’re in colour.

6. Shout it for the world to hear. You might feel an idiot at first, but it is definitely worth reading your revision notes aloud. Even better, get a friend to quiz you on the intricacies of electromagnets, or insist on explaining the plot of Hamlet to your mum. Speaking practice is essential for the revision of foreign languages. Even saying basic words like “yes” and “no” and “please pass the ketchup” in the language you are learning are steps towards fluency.

7. Learn it inside out and backwards. If you are learning a list of chemicals, then try saying the list backwards (without looking at your notes!). Spell words back to front to make sure you really know what they look like – just remember to get them the right way around in the exam.

8. Have a good gossip. Discuss your revision topics with a friend in the same class, especially if you will have to write essays in the exam. See what ideas you can glean from each other – it is surprising how differently two people can approach the same questions.

9. Test yourself both ways. Don’t just learn how to recognise French words: practice translating the English into French. Learn how to work out each segment of a formula triangle.

10. Practice, practice, practice. Find some past exam papers and have a go at the questions. There’s nothing like writing an essay on Shakespeare for really getting to know what you don’t yet know …

Read more at Suite101: Ten Top Exam Revision Tips: How to Revise for Exams in School, College and University.

This article focuses on GCSE English Literature and specifically on helping you write GCSE English Coursework for Blood Brothers by Willy Russell

The Original article sourced from the super teacher resource website yourdissertation.com, where a great selection of free GCSE English and GCSE English Literature notes to help you revise and learn are on offer.

There are 4 main tips:

• Your awareness of what the play is about;
• An interesting idea;
• The basic requirements for GCSE courseworks;
• Personal efforts.

What is the play about?

“Blood Brothers” is a story about twin brothers (Mickey and Eddie) who grew up apart. They belonged to different social circles – one of them was rich and the other was poor. If you want to include some specific details into your GCSE English coursework on “Blood Brothers”, read it or find its screen version on the Web.

An interesting idea…

Remember, an idea should be interesting to you. If it is, work on your paper will be involving and interesting as well.

You can choose one of the ideas presented below and cover it in the GCSE English coursework on “Blood Brothers”:

• The Function of Knives, Flowers, Water, and Blood as Symbols in the Play;
• Social Worlds and Class Differences in “Blood Brothers”;
• Deaths of Mickey and Edward in “Blood Brothers”;
• The Success of “Blood Brothers” on Stage;
• The Role of Mrs. Lyons in “Blood Brothers”.

Basic requirements for your GCSE coursework on “Blood Brothers”

1. Deep analysis of the play and the author’s message;
2. Perfect structuring;
3. Proper format (usually, MLA format is required for GCSE English courseworks);
4. Full answer to the research question of your GCSE English coursework on “Blood Brothers”.

Personal efforts…

Writing an English coursework on “Blood Brothers” is difficult, still, it should not be a reason to give up or panic. Believe in yourself, and do not put off writing if you want your “Blood Brothers” coursework to be excellent. Good luck

We hope this article helps with your GCSE English Literature revision and coursework.

Be sure to check out the LearnThruMusic Blood Brothers learning song

GCSE English and GCSE English Literature Shakespeare songs:

• The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
  

•  Othello by William Shakespeare
  

•   Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
  

•   Macbeth by William Shakespeare
  

Our Shakespeare songs have been developed to help GCSE students but they can also be used to engage younger pupils in Shakespeare and to provide adults with an overview of Shakespeare’s finest work.

Please visit the shop section of this site to listen to demos of all our Shakespeare songs. 

We help GCSE English students learn and revise key exam and coursework topics through modern music.

We Love GCSE English and GCSE English Literature and want everyone else to love it as well. We believe that using music to help you learn and revise will help you remember key GCSE texts, GCSE persuasive writing techniques and the format of GCSE English and GCSE English Literature examination papers.

You can listen to demos of all our GCSE English and GCSE English literature songs within the shop section of this site. For free revision tips check out our LearnThruMusic community section, where free GCSE tips, revision techniques and notes are available on subjects such as:

• Lord Of The Flies

• Blood Brothers

• Pride And Prejudice

• To Kill A Mocking Bird

• Persuasive Device And Techniques

• Romeo And Juliet

• Of Mice And Men

• Macbeth

• A View From The Bridge

• Othello

• Stone Cold

• An Inspector Calls

• The Merchant Of Venice

• Persuasive Writing

• GCSE English exam paper 1

• GCSE English exam paper 2

• GCSE English and GCSE English Literature exam exam dates

Please get in touch with us here at LearnThruMusic and let us know what you think of our GCSE English and GCSE English Literature learning songs.

We have listed below The author’s technique in of Mice and Men By John Steinbeck. We hope the information provided helps you with your GCSE English Literature.

The author’s technique in of Mice and Men By John Steinbeck, article written by Andrew Moore

Structure

Steinbeck’s narrative method is unremarkable but effective in a simple way; for this reason it is not an obvious subject for study. The structure of the novella is clear and quite simple: each chapter is an extended episode, in the same place. Some things happen while others, which have happened, are re-told (George tells Slim about Weed; Whit tells the hands about Bill Tenner’s letter; Curley’s wife tells Lennie about her past).

Time and place

Steinbeck controls time and place very skilfully. Though he recalls events from earlier, what he narrates directly takes place over a single weekend. The narrative is framed by the opening and closing chapters, which are set in a beautiful clearing by a stream, close to the ranch. All the other chapters are set on the ranch, inside: in the bunkhouse, in Crooks’s room or in the barn. The text is very short, and yet a great proportion is taken up with dialogue, in the form of direct speech. It is clear from all of this (a series of “scenes”; no single viewpoint, nor access to thought; unity of time and place; past events recalled in conversation; indoor locations, and heavy reliance on dialogue) that the novella has been written with an eye to dramatization. It is not surprising to discover that Steinbeck himself did write a dramatization for the stage, and that this has subsequently been made into (two) very successful feature films.

Viewpoint

The novella is written in the third person, but there is no single viewpoint. We read of scenes in which George or Lennie or both are present, but we may briefly follow other characters (Candy or Crooks, say). We are never told what anyone is thinking, but must work this out from what people say, with one curious exception. In the final chapter, Steinbeck describes the imaginary talking rabbit (as one would expect from Lennie, it does not see anything odd in telling him he is not fit “to lick the boots of no rabbit”!) and the remembered Aunt Clara, who appear to Lennie, their voices supplied by his talking aloud.

Language and symbolism

The language of the narrative is fairly simple; most vocabulary is of an everyday kind, except for names of items of farm equipment to which Steinbeck refers. In the dialogue, Steinbeck uses slang and non-standard terms (“would of”, “brang” and so on) to convey an authentic sense of the speaking voice.

Apart from the symbolism in the title, we should note the symbolic function of the killing of Candy’s old dog. At various points in the novel shooting is mentioned as a way out of trouble (as when George says he would shoot himself if he were related to Lennie). The killing of the dog parallels the shooting of Lennie: both are depicted as merciful, in both cases the shot is in the same place (base of the skull) and Slim approves both killings.

Be sure to check out our of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, GCSE English Literature learning song

As part of our FREE character profiles for 12 key GCSE texts. We want to help you revise and learn GCSE English and GCSE English Literature to your full potential.

We have listed profiles of the key characters from Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austin below. We hope the information provided helps you with your GCSE English Literature.

Elizabeth Bennet – Elizabeth Bennet is the novel’s main character. She is the second born and has four sisters. She is the most intelligent, well read and witty out of her sisters. However, her abrupt nature often gets her into trouble. She eventually overcomes her doubts about Mr Darcy and starts to see a more becoming side of him by the end of the novel.

Fitzwilliam Darcy – Darcy is a wealthy gentleman who owns Pemberley. He is nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Darcy is intelligent and honest but his sense of self pride lets regard others as social inferior to him and is not afraid to express his prejudices towards others. He eventually falls in love with Elizabeth after initially loathing her sharp wit and temper.

Jane Bennet – Jane Bennet is Elizabeth’s eldest sister. Jane is attractive and has a calmer nature than Elizabeth. Jane and Bingley’s instant attraction and interactions contrast with the initially awkward relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy.

Charles Bingley –Charles Bingley is a close friend to Darcy who owns Netherfield. He is a nice natured gentleman who is unaffected by the social class of others. He provides a contrast to Darcy’s difficult nature.

Mr. Bennet – Mr Bennet is father to five daughters. He is a gentleman and does not earn much money. Mr. Bennet uses sarcasm and cynicism in a humorous way purposefully to fluster his wife. He loves all of his daughters, especially Elizabeth,and tries not to get involved with their marriage plans.

Mrs. Bennet – Mrs. Bennet is Mr Bennet’s wife. She is a silly woman who wishes to marry off her daughters to wealthy husbands. However, Mrs Bennet’s uncouth behavior serves to scare off prospective suitors.

George Wickham – George Wickham is a good-looking military officer. His charming nature captivates Elizabeth before Darcy’s tells her more about his true character and background. This in turn unites Elizabeth and Darcy.

Lydia Bennet – Lydia Bennet is the youngest of the Bennet sisters. She is headstrong and niaeve which leads her to run away with Wickham and tarnishes her family’s name.

Mr. Collins – Mr Collins is a Pasteur. He is next in line to inherit Mr. Bennet’s property. He is a pompous snob and makes the fact that Lady Catherine de Bourgh is his patroness no secret.

Miss Bingley – Bingley’s snobbish sister. Miss Bingley bears inordinate disdain for Elizabeth’s middle-class background. Her vain attempts to garner Darcy’s attention cause Darcy to admire Elizabeth’s self-possessed character even more.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh – A rich, bossy noblewoman; Mr. Collins’s patron and Darcy’s aunt. Lady Catherine epitomizes class snobbery, especially in her attempts to order the middle-class Elizabeth away
from her well-bred nephew.

Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner – Mrs. Bennet’s brother and his wife. The Gardiners, are caring, nurturing and full of common sense, often proving to be better parents to the Bennet daughters than Mr. Bennet and his wife.

Charlotte Lucas – Elizabeth’s dear friend. Pragmatic where Elizabeth is romantic, and also six years older than Elizabeth, Charlotte does not view love as the most vital component of a marriage. She is more
interested in having a comfortable home. Thus, when Mr. Collins proposes, she accepts.

Georgiana Darcy – Darcy’s sister. She is immensely pretty and just as shy. She has great skill at playing the pianoforte.

Mary Bennet – The middle Bennet sister, bookish and pedantic.
Catherine Bennet – The fourth Bennet sister. Like Lydia, she is girlishly enthralled with the soldiers.

Be sure check out our Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austin, GCSE English Literature learning song

As part of our FREE character profiles for 12 key GCSE texts. We want to help you revise and learn GCSE English and GCSE English Literature to your full potential.

We have listed profiles of the key characters from A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller below. We hope the information provided helps you with your GCSE English Literature.

Eddie Carbone – Eddie Carbone is a docker. He lives with his wife, Beatrice and orphaned niece, Catherine. Eddie is unable to express himself very well. His lust for Catherine leads to his undoing.

Catherine – Catherine is Eddie and Beatrice Carbone’s niece. Catherine is intelligent, pretty, popular and Italian. Catherine wants her uncle to be happy with her despairs when Eddie does not like Rodolpho- the man she hopes to marry.

Beatrice – Beatrice is Eddie Carbone’s wife and is Catherine’s aunt. Beatrice is a kind woman, having raised Catherine from a young age she is like a mother figure to her.

Marco – Marco is Beatrice’s cousin. Marco is a hard working character who came from Italy to America to make money to send home to his family.

Rodolpho – Rodolpho is Beatrice’s Italian cousin. Rodolpho prefers singing to working on the docks. To the other men Rodolpho is not very masculine because he loves to sing, dance, cook and sew. Rodolpho wishes he was an American and seeks his fame and fortune in America.

Mr. Lipari – Mr Lipari is the butcher who above the Carbone’s. Eddie tries to blame Mr. Lipari for tipping off the Immigration office about Marco and Rodolpho.

Mrs. Lipari – Mrs Lipari is Mr Lipari’s wife who lives above the Carbone’s. Mrs. Lipari gives Marco and Rodolpho a room in her home when Eddie forces them to leave his house.

Two “Submarines” - Two Submarines are the illegal immigrants who are hiding upstairs in the Lipari house.

Alfieri – Alfieri is an Italian-American lawyer. Alfieri narrates the play. His aim is to vocalise the moral and social implications in the play.

Mike – Mike is a docker and friends with Eddie and Louis.

Louis – Louis is a docker and friends with Eddie and Mike.

Tony – Tony is a friend of the Carbone family. He assures that Marco and Rodolpho get off the ship safely and takes them home.

Be sure check out our A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller GCSE English Literature learning song

As part of our FREE character profiles for 12 key GCSE texts. We want to help you revise and learn GCSE English and GCSE English Literature to your full potential.

We have listed profiles of the key characters from Macbeth by William Shakespeare below. We hope the information provided helps you with your GCSE English and your GCSE English Literature.

Macbeth – Initially Macbeth is a general and nobleman. Macbeth is courageous and powerful but not virtuous. Macbeth commits murder in order to become king. After this crime he goes on to commit more but is racked with feelings of guilt which eventually lead to his decline.

Lady Macbeth – Lady Macbeth is Macbeth’s wife. She is a power hungry and ambitious woman and encourages her husband to commit murder in order to become king. She uses her sexuality to control her husband’s actions. In the play the couple’s involvement in crimes bring them closer together. Lady Macbeth’s guilty conscience causes her to go mad and commit suicide.

The Three Witches – The Three Witches use their prophecies and spells to manipulate Macbeth into committing murder. When the Three Witches prediction that Macbeth will become king comes true, it causes him to believe them when they say that he is immortal. The Three Witches are Hecate’s servants who use their knowledge to interfere with the human characters fate and to destroy Macbeth.

Banquo –Banquo is a virtuous nobleman and general. The Three Witches predict that Banquo’s children are heirs to the throne. However, unlike Macbeth, Banquo does not act on their premonitions. When Macbeth kills Banquo his ghost continues to haunt him. This haunting serves to contrast the violent character of Macbeth with Banquo’s and highlights the path Macbeth should have taken instead.

King Duncan – King Duncan is the well respected King of Scotland whom Macbeth, murders in order to seize the crown. His death and Macbeth’s claim to the throne represents the decline of order and the rise of a tyrant. This is resolved when his son Malcolm becomes King of Scotland at the end of the play.

Macduff – Macduff is the nobleman who leads a crusade to usurp Macbeth’s position as king. Macbeth murders Macduff’s son and wife so Macduff gets his revenge by killing Macbeth at the end of the play.

Malcolm –Malcolm is Duncan’s son. He flees Scotland when Macbeth murders his father. Order is returned to Scotland when he becomes king.

Hecate – Hecate is the goddess of witchcraft. She helps the three witches to mislead Macbeth.

Fleance – Fleance is Banquo’s son. He survives when Macbeth tries to murder him. He disappears at the end of the play. He may one day reappear as king, thus fulfilling the witches’ prophecy.

Lennox – Lennox is a nobleman.

Ross – Ross is a nobleman.

The Murderers – The murderers are a group who are hired by Macbeth to murder Banquo, Fleance (unsuccessfully), and Macduff’s wife and children.

Porter – Porter is a drunken doorman working at Macbeth’s castle.

Lady Macduff –Lady Macduff is Macduff’s wife. The scene of her in her home is a stark contrast of Lady Macbeth’s castle.

Donalbain – Donalbain is Duncan’s son and younger brother to Malcolm’s.

Be sure check out our GCSE Shakespeare learning songs