A vigil is a period of staying awake at night to keep watch.

A ventilator is a grate, usually on the ceiling, that provides air into a room.

If something is fatal, it can cause death.

If there is a sombre atmosphere, there is a gloomy, sad atmosphere.

Reading and summarising the conclusion of ‘The Speckled Band’ mystery

English

in 'Sherlock Holmes: Short Stories', pupils practise using analytical writing sentence structures, to formulate their arguments. In 'Myths and Legends Re-Told', pupils develop these skills further, applying them to a range of pre- 20th Century texts. 

in 'When the Sky Falls' pupils read fiction texts for fluency and comprehension. In 'Sherlock Holmes: Short Stories' pupils start to analyse the language choices of an author.

In this unit, pupils read and explore two famous Sherlock Holmes stories. They start by reading and analysing 'The Speckled Band' before using it as inspiration to write a newspaper article. They then read and analyse 'The Boscombe Valley Murder' before writing a comparison of the two stories.

Sherlock Holmes: short stories

Depiction of scary, confusing or unsettling events or characters placed in danger, including creation of a scary atmosphere through the use of music and sound.

Depiction or discussion of upsetting content

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

In 'The Speckled Band', what animal killed Julia Stoner?

How did the animal that killed Julia Stoner get into her room in 'The Speckled Band'?

The saucer of milk was to feed the cheetah.

In 'The Speckled Band', what is the significance of the saucer of milk and whistle?

What happens to Roylott at the end of 'The Speckled Band'?

In 'The Speckled Band' Dr. Roylott is attacked. What is he attacked by?

In 'The Speckled Band', why did Roylott kill Julia and attempt to kill Helen?

There is not enough room at Stoke Moran for all three.

In 'The Speckled Band', why does Holmes insist Helen stay at the village inn whilst him and Watson stay in her room at Stoke Moran?

Of the following, what does Holmes find in Roylott's room in 'The Speckled Band'?

In 'The Speckled Band', what is unusual about the bell rope and ventilator in Julia's room?

In 'The Speckled Band', what atmosphere does the description of Stoke Moran create?

How are the wings of Stoke Moran described in 'The Speckled Band'?

In 'The Speckled Band', which character has a clear motive for killing Julia?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of upsetting content

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision recommended

Introduction

What will you need for this lesson?

Are you ready to learn?

Equipment

Content guidance

Supervision

Worksheet