KS3 Whole-Class Reading – Autumn 2 Medium-Term Plan (Years 7–8)
Genre Focus: Fiction (Classic, Fantasy & Modern Fantasy)

This medium-term plan outlines a structured 7-lesson whole-class reading unit for KS3 (Years 7–8), designed to develop pupils’ reading fluency, comprehension, vocabulary and oracy through a carefully sequenced study of high-quality fiction texts.

The unit moves from classic literature to modern and contemporary fantasy, featuring extracts from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Lewis Carroll), Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (J.K. Rowling), The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (C.S. Lewis) and Skulduggery Pleasant (Derek Landy).

Across the unit, pupils engage in:

1. Explicit tier 2 and tier 3 vocabulary instruction
2. Structured oracy activities (paired, group and whole-class discussion)
3. Progressive comprehension tasks focusing on retrieval, inference and authorial reasoning
4. Analysis of language, structure, atmosphere, characterisation and narrative voice
5. Guided and independent summarising and evidence-based responses

Fully aligned with the KS3 National Curriculum reading objectives, this medium-term plan supports pupils in developing confidence, critical reading skills and a secure understanding of fiction conventions while fostering enjoyment of literature.

Ideal for whole-class reading, mixed-ability groups and curriculum-aligned planning.