A Christmas Carol - Lesson 1 - First Impressions PowerPoint

The initial lesson on 'A Christmas Carol' aims to gauge students' existing knowledge and introduce them to the historical backdrop of the novel. It sets out to begin an analysis of the central character, Ebenezer Scrooge, by reflecting on the concept of Christmas and its personal significance to each individual. Students are prompted to consider their own family traditions and compare them with various customs from around the world, such as the Polish tradition of eating carp on Christmas Day or the Spanish practice of opening presents on the 6th of January. The lesson then delves into the Victorian era's lacklustre observance of Christmas, highlighting how Charles Dickens sought to infuse the holiday with a sense of enchantment through his writing, especially in 'A Christmas Carol'.

Further exploring Dickens' work, the lesson introduces the concept of 'structure' in literature, drawing parallels between the planning required for architectural feats like the Great Wall of China and the careful structuring of a story. Students learn about the chronological order of events, both in Dickens' life and within the narrative of 'A Christmas Carol'. They are tasked with creating a timeline for the novel as they read, noting key events. Additionally, the lesson encourages students to jot down their prior knowledge of the story and to record their initial impressions upon reading the first few pages of the book. The lesson culminates in an activity where students must describe Scrooge using adjectives supported by evidence from the text, which then forms the basis for writing a descriptive paragraph about this iconic character.