The Demon Headmaster - Lesson 10 - Crossword and Worksheets

The "Demon Headmaster" lesson plan includes a crossword puzzle and worksheets designed to enhance students' understanding of the book. The crossword puzzle is a fun activity that encourages students to recall key details from the story, such as the names of characters, important locations, and significant plot points. Clues for the crossword cover a range of topics including where the protagonist Dinah lived before being fostered, the identity of her social worker, the novel's main antagonist, and the full name of the book's main character. Other clues ask about the headmaster's distinctive eyewear and the acronym for 'The Society for the Protection of our Lives Against Them'. The puzzle also prompts students to identify the founder and leader of SPLAT, the name of a TV show mentioned in the book, Dinah's foster family's surname, and how the headmaster exerts control over the children.

Accompanying the crossword are worksheets focusing on chapters eleven and twelve of the novel. These worksheets are designed to provoke discussion and deeper thinking about the text. Students are asked to consider why Dinah feels miserable at the beginning of chapter eleven, how Lucy differs from her peers, and why a certain plan involving a tape recorder does not succeed. The worksheets also encourage students to speculate on the author's narrative choices, such as why Gillian Cross chooses not to reveal specific details to the reader. Questions delve into character interactions, like Harvey's reaction to Lloyd and Lloyd's continual hostility towards Dinah. Additionally, the worksheets prompt students to think critically about the unusual invitation of the Eddy Hair Show to the school, what happens at the end of each episode, the Demon Headmaster's overarching plan, and his motives for wanting to control a large segment of the population. This comprehensive lesson plan is designed to engage students in critical thinking and enhance their comprehension of the novel's themes and characters.