Irish Curriculum · 5th Year English

5th Year English Lesson Plan & Curriculum Map

A full-year 5th Year English lesson plan aligned to the Leaving Certificate English syllabus in Ireland. Week-by-week lessons for 1, 2 or 3 days a week from September to August, covering the Shakespearean play, comparative texts (novel and film or play), prescribed and unseen poetry, rhetorical techniques, tone and style, and Paper 1 and Paper 2 skills, with summer consolidation and preparation for 6th Year.

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5th Year English learning map

Choose a term, then compare a lighter weekly plan with a more intensive schedule.

1 day/week · steady pace2–3 days/week · guided practice
September · Reading: Shakespearean Play I

5th Year English — September Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · English Language Arts
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
September 1st week
(English)		Reading: Shakespearean Play I 1: Studying Plot & Character in the Set PlayReading: Shakespearean Play I 1: Studying Plot & Character in the Set PlayReading: Shakespearean Play I 1: Studying Plot & Character in the Set Play 2: Analysing Shakespeare's Language
September 2nd week
(English)		Reading: Shakespearean Play I 2: Analysing Shakespeare's LanguageReading: Shakespearean Play I 2: Analysing Shakespeare's Language 3: Exploring Themes in the PlayReading: Shakespearean Play I 3: Exploring Themes in the Play 4: Understanding Historical & Social Context
September 3rd week
(English)		Reading: Shakespearean Play I 3: Exploring Themes in the PlayReading: Shakespearean Play I 4: Understanding Historical & Social ContextReading: Shakespearean Play I 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Worksheets & Quiz
September 4th week
(English)		Reading: Shakespearean Play I 4: Understanding Historical & Social Context 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Worksheets & QuizReading: Shakespearean Play I 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Worksheets & QuizReading: Shakespearean Play I Applied Practice Task
October · Reading: Shakespearean Play II

5th Year English — October Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · English Language Arts
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
October 1st week
(English)		Reading: Shakespearean Play II 1: Analysing Key Scenes in DetailReading: Shakespearean Play II 1: Analysing Key Scenes in DetailReading: Shakespearean Play II 1: Analysing Key Scenes in Detail 2: Exploring Performance & Staging Choices
October 2nd week
(English)		Reading: Shakespearean Play II 2: Exploring Performance & Staging ChoicesReading: Shakespearean Play II 2: Exploring Performance & Staging Choices 3: Developing a Personal Response to the PlayReading: Shakespearean Play II 3: Developing a Personal Response to the Play 4: Practising Exam-Style Questions on the Play
October 3rd week
(English)		Reading: Shakespearean Play II 3: Developing a Personal Response to the PlayReading: Shakespearean Play II 4: Practising Exam-Style Questions on the PlayReading: Shakespearean Play II 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Worksheets & Quiz
October 4th week
(English)		Reading: Shakespearean Play II 4: Practising Exam-Style Questions on the Play 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Worksheets & QuizReading: Shakespearean Play II 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Worksheets & QuizReading: Shakespearean Play II Applied Practice Task
November · Reading: Comparative Texts I (Novel)

5th Year English — November Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · English Language Arts
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
November 1st week
(English)		Reading: Comparative Texts I (Novel) 1: Studying the Comparative Novel: Plot & CharacterReading: Comparative Texts I (Novel) 1: Studying the Comparative Novel: Plot & CharacterReading: Comparative Texts I (Novel) 1: Studying the Comparative Novel: Plot & Character 2: Analysing Theme in the Novel
November 2nd week
(English)		Reading: Comparative Texts I (Novel) 2: Analysing Theme in the NovelReading: Comparative Texts I (Novel) 2: Analysing Theme in the Novel 3: Analysing the Author's TechniqueReading: Comparative Texts I (Novel) 3: Analysing the Author's Technique 4: Identifying Comparative Modes: Theme, Genre, Character
November 3rd week
(English)		Reading: Comparative Texts I (Novel) 3: Analysing the Author's TechniqueReading: Comparative Texts I (Novel) 4: Identifying Comparative Modes: Theme, Genre, CharacterReading: Comparative Texts I (Novel) 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Worksheets & Quiz
November 4th week
(English)		Reading: Comparative Texts I (Novel) 4: Identifying Comparative Modes: Theme, Genre, Character 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Worksheets & QuizReading: Comparative Texts I (Novel) 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Worksheets & QuizReading: Comparative Texts I (Novel) Applied Practice Task
December · Reading: Comparative Texts II (Film / Play)

5th Year English — December Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · English Language Arts
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
December 1st week
(English)		Reading: Comparative Texts II (Film / Play) 1: Studying the Comparative Film or PlayReading: Comparative Texts II (Film / Play) 1: Studying the Comparative Film or PlayReading: Comparative Texts II (Film / Play) 1: Studying the Comparative Film or Play 2: Analysing Visual & Dramatic Technique
December 2nd week
(English)		Reading: Comparative Texts II (Film / Play) 2: Analysing Visual & Dramatic TechniqueReading: Comparative Texts II (Film / Play) 2: Analysing Visual & Dramatic Technique 3: Comparing Themes Across TextsReading: Comparative Texts II (Film / Play) 3: Comparing Themes Across Texts 4: Comparing Techniques Across Texts
December 3rd week
(English)		Reading: Comparative Texts II (Film / Play) 3: Comparing Themes Across TextsReading: Comparative Texts II (Film / Play) 4: Comparing Techniques Across TextsReading: Comparative Texts II (Film / Play) 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Worksheets & Quiz
December 4th week
(English)		Reading: Comparative Texts II (Film / Play) 4: Comparing Techniques Across Texts 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Worksheets & QuizReading: Comparative Texts II (Film / Play) 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Worksheets & QuizReading: Comparative Texts II (Film / Play) Applied Practice Task
The learning framework

Anatomy of a focused lesson

Each session moves from a clear focus to guided practice and a quick check for understanding.

10 minutes

Focus and activate

Open with a short extract, quotation or question that sets up the week’s 5th Year English focus.

25 minutes

Analyse and apply

Model the reading or writing skill with an example answer, then apply it to Leaving Cert-style questions.

10 minutes

Check for understanding

Finish with a short written response checked against the marking criteria your child will meet in exams.

Student learning toolkit

Resources for 5th Year English

Concept lessons

Clear explanations of each 5th Year reading, writing and language topic in the order it comes up in school.

Worksheets & quizzes

Worksheets, quizzes and vocabulary reviews matched to each week of the plan.

Exam-style practice

Leaving Cert English questions with model answers and marking guidance.

Progress notes

Regular feedback for parents on reading, writing and next steps.

Free first lesson

Build a plan for 5th Year English

Tell us your child’s year, level (Higher or Ordinary) and where they are with Leaving Cert English, and we will shape the first grind around the 5th Year English skills that matter most.

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