Boys Don't Cry - teaching resource

Boys Don’t Cry – GCSE Unit of Work

(171-slide editable PowerPoint, 22 PDF worksheets, 16 complete lessons)

This comprehensive GCSE English Literature teaching unit for Malorie Blackman’s Boys Don’t Cry includes a 171-slide editable PowerPoint, 22 PDF worksheets, and 16 fully planned one-hour lessons. Designed for KS4 learners (and suitable for high-ability Year 9), this engaging scheme of work explores the novel chapter by chapter, analysing its plot, characters, themes, language, and structure while preparing students for the GCSE English Literature exam.

Resource Features:

• Chapter-by-chapter activities – consolidating understanding as learners progress through the novel

• Comprehension questions – with model answers to assess knowledge of plot, characters, themes, and language

• Character analysis – in-depth exploration of Dante, Adam, Tyler, Josh, Aunt Jackie, and others

• Theme studies – examining key ideas such as:

  • Teenage parenting & responsibility

  • Family, grief, and growing up

  • Prejudice, homophobia, and toxic masculinity

  • Gender roles and personal identity

  • Bravery, choices, and consequences

• Language and structural techniques – analysing dual narrative, Blackman’s use of suspense, and her language choices

• Exam preparation – includes GCSE-style questions, model answers, and a formal assessment task

• Creative and interactive tasks – role play, hot-seating, empathy writing, and character growth arcs

• Knowledge organiser – helping students consolidate key quotes, themes, and character insights

• ‘Do Now’ activities – themed crosswords, sequencing tasks, matching games, word searches, and more

This complete teaching unit provides a flexible and fully differentiated approach, supporting learners of all abilities. The editable PowerPoint allows you to personalise slides, adapt tasks, and tailor lessons to your class’s needs.

Perfect for classroom teaching, intervention, revision, or exam preparation, this resource builds the essential reading, writing, and analysis skills students need for GCSE success.

Get access to thousands of pages of resources. Find out more about membership here.