english-teaching-sequence

name: english-teaching-sequence description: Specialized skill for generating comprehensive 10-week, 40-lesson structured English teaching sequences. Integrates novel/text studies, assessment requirements, Australian Curriculum v9 mapping, and targeted differentiation strategies.

English Teaching Sequence Generator

This skill provides a structured workflow for generating a 10-week English teaching sequence based on the Australian Curriculum v9, integrating novel studies with assessment tasks.

🎯 When to use

Use this skill when the user requests a detailed teaching sequence, unit plan, or lesson-by-lesson breakdown for an English unit spanning several weeks (typically 10 weeks, 40 lessons).

📋 The Workflow

Follow these steps faithfully to ensure the sequence meets the project's premium and holistic education standards.

Step 1: Input Gathering & Context

Before generating any plans, ensure you have the following context. If you don't, ask the user:

1. Year Level: Which Year level is this for?
2. Core Text: What is the primary novel or text being studied?
3. Assessment Data: Do you have a Unit Plan or Assessment Task description? (If the user provides .docx files, use the docx-to-markdown skill to read them).
4. Differentiation Profiles: Are there specific student needs to consider? (e.g., Reluctant readers, Specific ICPs like 'Lucas' who needs simplified sentences).
5. Resource Integrity (MANDATORY): Check the Resources/ folder for a Manifest.md or Inventory.md.
   • Verify that all resources mentioned in the unit plan or sequence exist in the folder.
   • If no Resources/ folder or manifest exists, suggest creating them according to the Standard Unit Architecture.

Step 2: Socratic Gate (Mandatory)

Before writing the sequence, present the user with a Socratic Gate to confirm:

• Focus Balance: Should the sequence be Assessment-Led, Novel-Led, or Balanced?
• Differentiation Method: Standard (Support/Core/Extend) or Targeted (e.g., Reluctant Readers + Specific ICP)?
• Output Format: Single Markdown file, Multi-file Markdown, or exported to Word (.docx)?

Wait for user confirmation before proceeding.

Step 3: Curriculum Mapping

Use the curriculum-master skill to query the Australian Curriculum v9.

• Run python .agent/skills/curriculum-master/scripts/query_curriculum.py --learning_area english --year_level <YEAR> --format text
• Map the relevant reading, writing, and language descriptors to the unit.

Step 4: Sequence Structure Design

Divide the 10 weeks (40 lessons) into 5 distinct two-week blocks (Sequences 1 through 5).

• Sequences 1-3 (Weeks 1-6): Usually deeply focused on reading, exploring narrative themes, character arcs, settings, and language features.
• Sequence 4 (Weeks 7-8): Climax of reading, transition to drafting the assessment task (e.g., narrative adaptation, exposition).
• Sequence 5 (Weeks 9-10): Editing, publishing, presenting, and final assessment marking.

Step 5: Content Generation (Markdown Table)

Draft the 40 lessons into a Markdown table. The table MUST include these exact columns: | Week | Sequence | Lesson | Learning Intention | Teaching and Learning Sequence | Reading | Differentiation | Resources |

Content Guidelines:

• Differentiation: Be highly targeted. For instance, if 'Lucas' is an ICP student, detail exactly what he does (e.g., "Write 1 simple sentence", "Label a picture"). For 'Reluctant Readers', give strategies (e.g., "Audiobook Chapter 3", "Verbal check-in").
• Reading: Explicitly map which chapters or pages are read in which lesson.
• Pacing: Make sure to balance explicit teaching (grammar/sentence structure) with engagement activities.

Step 6: Review and Formatting

1. Ensure all 40 rows are complete.
2. Ensure Australian spelling is used throughout (e.g., colour, organisation).
3. Ensure metric measurements are used if numbers appear.
4. If the user requested a Word document, use Pandoc to convert the generated .md file to .docx (e.g., pandoc input.md -o output.docx). Check docx skill for pandoc usage if needed.

📝 Example Output Pattern

| Week | Sequence | Lesson | Learning Intention | Teaching and Learning Sequence | Reading | Differentiation | Resources |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **1** | **1** | **1** | [Specific ACv9 informed target] | **Introduction:** ... <br>**Explore:** ... <br>**Connect:** ... | Chapter 1 | **Reluctant Readers:** ... <br>**Lucas:** ... | Novel, Notebook |