Y9 English

[flatmouse]

DS is coming to the end of Y9, and he seems to be really struggling with his English. KS2 SATS were Level 5 - he is currently bouncing around 5a/6c/6b depending on the task.
Have discussed with teacher at parents evening - the message is more detail needed, and read more. He is definitely doing the latter.
I need suggestions for how to help him! I've been to the TES site and printed out a few PEE guides, and linked to some other guides for sentence construction and power words.

This is all well and good - and hopefully he will take it on board (although he does already know all this in theory but is not putting it into practice) - it's like it's just not "clicking" with him (the lack of detail problem effects other subjects too but not so badly).
I need suggestions kind folks please! Maybe some "fun" exercises to do (that i would be able to judge were good/bad/indifferent).
TIA

My DS the same! He does manage to read books on the subject he's interested in..Ray Mears..bushcraft things but can't force him to extend vocabulary with reading as I don't think he'll do it! He does continue to extend his general oral repertoire and can hold a higher order conversation but putting pen to paper. ( He also gets lots from the internet being particularly interested in history.) ..mmmm... But I can't do his work/GCSEs for him!
I do believe that he'll get his English but it may be a C or B grade. Although he tends to pull out the stops when he does exams. Maybe your DS is similar?

The assessments he's done in English recently do not suggest he will pull out the stops! The problem is that he thinks he's done well, then gets disappointed and defensive when he finds out he hasn't.
He was interested in reading through the resources I printed off TES for him - and I'm cracking down on him for all subjects in respect to reviewing teachers' comments and responding/finishing what they request.
He doesn't seem to get much English written homework (or any subject written homework!), so my ideal of sitting with him a few times and verbally helping with the "have you checked you have all elements of PEE", and "why? so what?" to get more detail included is not happening.

Have you tried giving him sentence starters? I use them with all year groups to get them used to the vocabulary / structure of analysis. PEE in itself can be a bit limiting to the 6B level. To get 6A or into the 7s, you need to consider multiple interpretations, how it links to the writer's purpose and make good use of adjectives to ensure you're being specific in your analysis.

E.g.

The use of the word... Indicates ... because ...This contributes to the [adjective] effect due to... Alternatively, it could suggest ... as... which relates to the theme of...

One of the worksheets I printed off has good examples of words/phrases to use. Consistent 6b would make me happy for now - then I guess he ends to look more at PETER? But baby steps! Thx for help.