Learning about the context of 'A Christmas Carol'
I can discuss the author and context of ‘A Christmas Carol’.
Learning about the context of 'A Christmas Carol'
I can discuss the author and context of ‘A Christmas Carol’.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Charles Dickens lived during the Victorian era.
- He was a very popular author who often represented the contrast between the rich and the poor.
- He wrote ‘A Christmas Carol’ in 1843.
- It is set on the lively, bustling streets of Victorian London.
- ‘A Christmas Carol’ features a character called Scrooge. He is unkind and he doesn’t like Christmas.
Keywords
Victorian era - In British history, The Victorian era is the period of time during which Queen Victoria was on the throne (1837 - 1901).
Context - Historical context refers to the background information that existed at a specific period in history.
Poverty - Poverty is the state of being extremely poor.
Contrast - Contrast is significant difference between one thing and another.
Common misconception
Pupils may not have much knowledge or understanding of the Victorian era.
Prior to this lesson, provide an opportunity for pupils to conduct research into the Victorian era and what life was like for people at that time.
To help you plan your year 4 english lesson on: Learning about the context of 'A Christmas Carol', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 4 english lesson on: Learning about the context of 'A Christmas Carol', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 english lessons from the 'A Christmas Carol': narrative writing and reading unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions
poor
serious
quiet
Exit quiz
6 Questions
the period of time during which Queen Victoria was on the throne
the background information from a particular period
the state of being extremely poor
significant difference between one thing and another