Skellig Lesson 13: Making Links - Lesson Plan

In Lesson 13 of the 'Skellig' novel study, the learning objective is to develop contextual knowledge with a particular focus on the theme of angels as presented in David Almond's novel. This objective is achieved through a combination of personal storytelling and research tasks. Students are expected to convey their understanding of angels in varying depths: a basic understanding is a must, a sound understanding should be conveyed, and the ability to offer insight into the theme could be demonstrated by the more advanced students.

The lesson begins with a starter activity that sets a thematic tone: students watch a spooky video and then share their own spooky stories, which serves as an engaging way to tap into the novel's mysterious atmosphere. The main teaching activities include reading and discussing the text up to the end of Chapter 24, followed by an introduction to a research task where pupils will investigate the concept of angels. This research is expected to last around 20 minutes, allowing students to delve into historical and cultural perspectives on angels, which will enrich their understanding of the novel. The lesson concludes with a plenary where students discuss their research findings, synthesising the new information with the literary context of 'Skellig'. Differentiation opportunities are provided throughout the lesson, including the ability to edit the PowerPoint, personalise tasks, and balance between teacher guidance and independent learning.