Anita and Me - teaching resource

Anita and Me – GCSE Unit of Work

(150-slide editable PowerPoint, 8-page worksheet booklet, 21 fully planned lessons)

This comprehensive GCSE English Literature teaching unit for Meera Syal’s Anita and Me includes a 150-slide editable PowerPoint, an 8-page booklet of worksheets, and a 21-lesson unit of work overview. Designed for KS4 learners, this engaging scheme of work develops students’ knowledge of the plot, characters, language, themes, and social and historical context of the novel while preparing them for the GCSE English Literature exam.

Resource Features:

• Author study – a brief biography of Meera Syal and her influences

• Social and historical context – exploring 1970s Britain, the Black Country, immigration, racial tensions, and the partition of India

• Plot tracking & consolidation tasks – activities to reinforce understanding as learners progress through the novel

• Narrative structure analysis – exploring how Syal shapes the story for effect

• Character studies – examining Meena, her family, Anita, Tracey, Robert, and other key figures

• Theme exploration – identity, racism, friendship, family, childhood, growing up, and cultural diversity in late 20th-century Britain

• Language and style analysis – investigating Syal’s use of setting, description, symbolism, contrast, and pathetic fallacy

• Character development – analysing Meena’s journey and growth throughout the novel

• Creative and empathetic writing tasks – diary writing, discussion prompts, and independent reflections

• Worksheets and supporting materials – 8 PDF worksheets designed to complement the PowerPoint activities

• 21 fully planned lessons – following a structured four-part format

The unit includes a complete teaching sequence with a student booklet, suggested answers, and fully editable slides, making it simple to personalise and differentiate to suit the needs of your learners.

Perfect for classroom teaching, intervention, revision, or exam preparation, this resource builds essential skills in close reading, analysis, and extended writing to help students succeed in the GCSE English Literature exam.

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