The Baker's Boy and The Great Fire of London - Teaching Slides

The teaching slides provided by Focus Education UK Ltd. guide students through a literary journey, exploring the experiences of a character named Will during the Great Fire of London. The material encourages students to delve into Will's world, examining his senses and emotions as he wakes to the smell of smoke and the chaos that ensues. Students are prompted to consider what Will hears, feels, smells, sees, and thinks, both in the moments leading up to the fire and in its aftermath. This immersive approach aims to foster empathy and understanding by putting students in Will's shoes, asking them to articulate the atmosphere of the story's first chapter and to describe the emotions that Will and his family might be feeling as their house faces destruction and their livelihood is threatened.

The slides further engage students by asking them to analyse the language used in the narrative and poetry about the fire. They are tasked with identifying descriptive words and phrases that paint a vivid picture of the fire scene, and to create similes and adverbials that enhance their writing. This encourages a deeper understanding of literary devices such as rhyme, verb, and adjective choices, and their effects on the reader. Additionally, students are asked to consider the reactions and feelings of historical figures like Samuel Pepys and King Charles, as well as the fictional character Will, as they navigate the challenges posed by the fire. The exercises culminate in students sequencing the main events, exploring character emotions, and writing a recount from Will's perspective, thus combining historical context with creative expression.