'Small Island': reading the start of Act Scene 1
I can explain how the character of Hortense is established in the opening scene.
'Small Island': reading the start of Act Scene 1
I can explain how the character of Hortense is established in the opening scene.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Hortense narrates her origins directly to the audience, joined by a younger Hortense.
- Windrush tales often have a male bias, yet this story foregrounds Hortense's experience.
- Hortense's comment about being the "heroine" of the situation opens questions about the dominance of 'white' history.
- Hortense is forced to change her behaviour and accent to become "decent", according to her adoptive family.
Keywords
Conform - to behave according to expectations and usual standards
Direct address - where a speaker talks directly to the audience
Flashback - a scene that is set earlier than the main story
Dominance - to have power and authority
Common misconception
All relevant information comes only from the dialogue in plays.
What is the role of stage directions? Explore how they are crafted to further characterisation. What extra information do they give us?
To help you plan your year 9 english lesson on: 'Small Island': reading the start of Act Scene 1, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 english lesson on: 'Small Island': reading the start of Act Scene 1, 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 3 english lessons from the 'Small Island' unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the play 'Small Island' written by Andrea Levy and adapted for the stage by Helen Edmundson
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
- Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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