Irish Curriculum · 6th Year English

6th Year English Lesson Plan & Curriculum Map

A full-year 6th 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 May, covering deep analysis of Shakespeare, the comparative study, poetry interpretation, high-level essays and controlled argument, advanced rhetorical and stylistic analysis, and Paper 1 practice, leading into the Leaving Certificate English examination.

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6th 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: Shakespeare — Deep Analysis

6th Year English — September Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · English Language Arts
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
September 1st week
(English)		Reading: Shakespeare — Deep Analysis 1: Deep Analysis of Plot & Character in the Set PlayReading: Shakespeare — Deep Analysis 1: Deep Analysis of Plot & Character in the Set PlayReading: Shakespeare — Deep Analysis 1: Deep Analysis of Plot & Character in the Set Play 2: Analysing Shakespeare's Language in Detail
September 2nd week
(English)		Reading: Shakespeare — Deep Analysis 2: Analysing Shakespeare's Language in DetailReading: Shakespeare — Deep Analysis 2: Analysing Shakespeare's Language in Detail 3: Exploring Themes & Context in the PlayReading: Shakespeare — Deep Analysis 3: Exploring Themes & Context in the Play 4: Developing a Sophisticated Personal Response
September 3rd week
(English)		Reading: Shakespeare — Deep Analysis 3: Exploring Themes & Context in the PlayReading: Shakespeare — Deep Analysis 4: Developing a Sophisticated Personal ResponseReading: Shakespeare — Deep Analysis 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Exam Practice & Quiz
September 4th week
(English)		Reading: Shakespeare — Deep Analysis 4: Developing a Sophisticated Personal Response 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Exam Practice & QuizReading: Shakespeare — Deep Analysis 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Exam Practice & QuizReading: Shakespeare — Deep Analysis Applied Practice Task
October · Reading: Comparative Study I

6th Year English — October Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · English Language Arts
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
October 1st week
(English)		Reading: Comparative Study I 1: Comparative Study: Theme Across TextsReading: Comparative Study I 1: Comparative Study: Theme Across TextsReading: Comparative Study I 1: Comparative Study: Theme Across Texts 2: Comparative Study: Issue Across Texts
October 2nd week
(English)		Reading: Comparative Study I 2: Comparative Study: Issue Across TextsReading: Comparative Study I 2: Comparative Study: Issue Across Texts 3: Comparative Study: Style Across TextsReading: Comparative Study I 3: Comparative Study: Style Across Texts 4: Structuring a Comparative Essay
October 3rd week
(English)		Reading: Comparative Study I 3: Comparative Study: Style Across TextsReading: Comparative Study I 4: Structuring a Comparative EssayReading: Comparative Study I 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Exam Practice & Quiz
October 4th week
(English)		Reading: Comparative Study I 4: Structuring a Comparative Essay 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Exam Practice & QuizReading: Comparative Study I 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Exam Practice & QuizReading: Comparative Study I Applied Practice Task
November · Reading: Comparative Study II & Poetry Introduction

6th Year English — November Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · English Language Arts
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
November 1st week
(English)		Reading: Comparative Study II & Poetry Introduction 1: Refining Comparative Analysis Across All Three TextsReading: Comparative Study II & Poetry Introduction 1: Refining Comparative Analysis Across All Three TextsReading: Comparative Study II & Poetry Introduction 1: Refining Comparative Analysis Across All Three Texts 2: Analysing a Prescribed Poet: Language & Form
November 2nd week
(English)		Reading: Comparative Study II & Poetry Introduction 2: Analysing a Prescribed Poet: Language & FormReading: Comparative Study II & Poetry Introduction 2: Analysing a Prescribed Poet: Language & Form 3: Analysing a Prescribed Poet: Theme & VoiceReading: Comparative Study II & Poetry Introduction 3: Analysing a Prescribed Poet: Theme & Voice 4: Developing a Sophisticated Response to Poetry
November 3rd week
(English)		Reading: Comparative Study II & Poetry Introduction 3: Analysing a Prescribed Poet: Theme & VoiceReading: Comparative Study II & Poetry Introduction 4: Developing a Sophisticated Response to PoetryReading: Comparative Study II & Poetry Introduction 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Exam Practice & Quiz
November 4th week
(English)		Reading: Comparative Study II & Poetry Introduction 4: Developing a Sophisticated Response to Poetry 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Exam Practice & QuizReading: Comparative Study II & Poetry Introduction 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Exam Practice & QuizReading: Comparative Study II & Poetry Introduction Applied Practice Task
December · Reading: Poetry Interpretation

6th Year English — December Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · English Language Arts
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
December 1st week
(English)		Reading: Poetry Interpretation 1: Interpreting Prescribed Poetry in DepthReading: Poetry Interpretation 1: Interpreting Prescribed Poetry in DepthReading: Poetry Interpretation 1: Interpreting Prescribed Poetry in Depth 2: Comparing Poems Within & Across Poets
December 2nd week
(English)		Reading: Poetry Interpretation 2: Comparing Poems Within & Across PoetsReading: Poetry Interpretation 2: Comparing Poems Within & Across Poets 3: Approaching Unseen Poetry at a High LevelReading: Poetry Interpretation 3: Approaching Unseen Poetry at a High Level 4: Practising Timed Poetry Responses
December 3rd week
(English)		Reading: Poetry Interpretation 3: Approaching Unseen Poetry at a High LevelReading: Poetry Interpretation 4: Practising Timed Poetry ResponsesReading: Poetry Interpretation 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Exam Practice & Quiz
December 4th week
(English)		Reading: Poetry Interpretation 4: Practising Timed Poetry Responses 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Exam Practice & QuizReading: Poetry Interpretation 5: Vocabulary Review 6: Exam Practice & QuizReading: Poetry Interpretation 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 6th 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 6th Year English

Concept lessons

Clear explanations of each 6th 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 6th 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 6th Year English skills that matter most.

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  • A one-to-one session with a certified English tutor
  • A recommended next-step study plan