The Demon Headmaster - Lesson 9 - Themes Worksheets

The provided lesson plan from an English teaching resource is centred around exploring themes within "The Demon Headmaster." Students are tasked with analysing quotes from the text to identify and explain the underlying themes they represent. For instance, when Dinah insists on helping Harvey with his sums despite previous unkindness, the theme of friendship is highlighted, illustrating the qualities of kindness and selflessness that define a good friend. Other quotes from the text suggest themes such as authority, conformity, and intelligence, prompting students to delve deeper into the narrative and its implications on these issues.

Accompanying worksheets guide students through a focused discussion on Chapter Ten of the book, where they are encouraged to explore character emotions, significant plot points, and the dynamics of the group known as SPLAT. Questions are designed to engage students in critical thinking about the characters' motivations, the group's secretive communication methods, and the power structures within the story. The aim is to foster a comprehensive understanding of the text's thematic elements and character development, enhancing students' analytical skills in literature.