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Year 7

Becoming a detective like Sherlock Holmes

I can make predictions based on clues in a text.

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Year 7

Becoming a detective like Sherlock Holmes

I can make predictions based on clues in a text.

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Share activities with pupils
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These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Julia Stoner has died in a suspicious manner
  2. There does not seem to be an obvious way in which Julia Stoner died
  3. There are a range of peculiar events and clues which Holmes must piece together to solve the case
  4. Based on recent events, Helen may now face the same danger as her sister

Keywords

  • Ferocious - A ferocious act is one that is violent and cruel.

  • Speckled - To have speckles is to have many small spots or patches of colour.

  • Casefile - A casefile is a document kept with all the details of an investigation.

  • Mystery - A mystery is something that is difficult to understand or explain.

  • Suspicious - If an incident is suspicious, then there is reason to mistrust or feel doubt towards it.

Common misconception

Julia Stoner's death was accidental.

Explain that the point of a mystery story is for the detective to use clues to solve it and usually find a perpetrator.


To help you plan your year 7 english lesson on: Becoming a detective like Sherlock Holmes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Students can act out the exchange between Helen and Holmes to show a deeper understanding of the main details of the crime and heightened emotions.
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Teacher tip
content-guidance

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of upsetting content
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What did the police force initially focus on in the Victorian era?
Solving crimes.
Correct answer: Preventing crimes.
Supervising children.
Q2.
Why was the character of Sherlock Holmes admired by many?
He was a member of the police for many years.
Correct answer: He was meticulous in his approach to solving crimes.
He prevented more crimes in a skilful way.
Q3.
In the story 'The Speckled Band', what state is Helen in when she comes to Holmes?
Excitement.
Amusement.
Correct answer: Agitation.
Q4.
Why is Helen shivering when she goes to see Holmes in 'The Speckled Band'?
It is cold in Sherlock's home.
She has no coat.
Correct answer: She is frightened.
Q5.
In the story 'The Speckled Band', what does the simile "her eyes like those of a hunted animal" suggest about Helen?
She is not acting like a human.
She is dangerous.
Correct answer: She is in vulnerable and in danger.
Q6.
What can we predict about the reason Helen has approached Holmes in 'The Speckled Band'?
She may want some advice about crime rates in her area.
Correct answer: She may need his help in solving a serious crime.
She wants to catch up after many years of not seeing each other.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In the story 'The Speckled Band', why has Helen Stoner come to Sherlock Holmes?
To seek advice about her marriage to Percy Armitage.
Correct answer: To seek help solving the mysterious case around the death of her sister.
To report her stepfather's violence towards her.
Q2.
What is true of the Roylott family who appear in the story 'The Speckled Band'?
They are related to royals.
Correct answer: They lost all of their wealth.
They remain the richest family in England.
Q3.
What does ferocious mean?
Correct answer: Violent and cruel.
Supernatural.
Unkind.
Q4.
In the story 'The Speckled Band', which character is described as engaging in "ferocious quarrels"?
John Watson.
Sherlock Holmes.
Julia Stoner.
Correct answer: Dr Roylott.
Q5.
What is interesting about the place where Helen is currently sleeping in 'The Speckled Band'?
It is the room in which her mother slept.
Correct answer: It is the room in which her sister died.
It is the room in which Dr Roylott used to sleep in.
Q6.
In the story 'The Speckled Band', what is similar about the circumstances of Helen and Julia upon hearing the whistle?
They both heard it on their engagement day.
They both heard it on the day they moved into Stoke Moran.
Correct answer: They both had marriages planned when they started hearing it.

Additional material

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