The Demon Headmaster - Lesson 4 - Building Tension Worksheets

The Demon Headmaster, a gripping children's novel, serves as the basis for an English lesson focused on building tension. In this particular session, students are provided with worksheets that encourage them to delve into Chapter Five of the book. The chapter, titled 'Assembly – Keep Out', is to be read and discussed in class, setting the stage for a series of analytical questions. These questions are designed to prompt students to think critically about the narrative and the characters' actions, such as why certain students are behaving differently from their peers, the peculiarities in the prefects' reactions, and the author Gillian Cross's choice of bird to symbolise the headmaster.

Students are also tasked with exploring the motivations behind the characters' behaviour, such as Jeff's actions behind the bookcase and the reasons for Dinah's unusual response to questions about her day at school. The worksheet challenges students to consider the implications of these actions and to predict future developments in the story. Additionally, they are asked to examine the elements of the chapter that contribute to a sense of suspense and to visually represent this on a graph. This exercise in building tension not only enhances comprehension but also hones the students' ability to identify and interpret literary techniques used to engage readers.