Skellig Lesson 18: William Blake - Lesson Plan

In Lesson 18 of the 'Skellig' study by David Almond, the learning objective focuses on enhancing students' comprehension of how the author crafts tension within the narrative, particularly in Chapters 35 and 36. To achieve this, students are tasked with creating a tension graph to visually represent the build-up of suspense and writing an analytical paragraph detailing the methods used by Almond to evoke a sense of tension. The assessment of progress will be based on the completion and quality of the tension graph and the written analysis.

The expected outcomes for the lesson are tiered to cater to varying levels of student understanding. At a basic level, students must convey an understanding of the techniques Almond uses to create tension. A sound understanding is expected for those who should be able to articulate these techniques clearly, while students who could demonstrate insight are expected to provide a deeper analysis of Almond's methods. Differentiation opportunities are provided to tailor the lesson to the class's needs, including editing the PowerPoint presentation, selecting and personalising tasks, and finding a balance between teacher guidance and independent learning. The lesson begins with a starter activity, engaging students in a 10-minute discussion about the concept of tension and personal experiences of tense situations. Main teaching activities include reading to the end of Chapter 36, followed by a discussion, a rising tension task, and time allocated for students to write their paragraphs. The plenary consists of a 5-minute session where students share and discuss their findings, providing an opportunity for feedback and collective learning.