Planning and writing a 'Small Island' essay
I can plan and write a developed, analytical response.
Planning and writing a 'Small Island' essay
I can plan and write a developed, analytical response.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- You need to include an introduction and thesis statement about the writer's intention.
- Each paragraph begins with a topic sentence, also based on the writer's intention.
- Form is important - we need to consider stagecraft and the ways in which the novel was adapted.
- Comment on a range of methods, including characterisation and setting.
- Planning is an important part of the writing process.
Keywords
Thesis - The overarching argument to an essay, supported by the entire text.
Characterisation - The process of creating and developing characters. This can be through dialogue and physical description.
Logical - In essays, this means your points will be well sequenced.
Stagecraft - Using theatrical techniques to write and produce plays. This includes things like setting and lighting.
Dramatic techniques - Refers to the specific techniques used in plays to create theatrical effects e.g direct address.
Common misconception
Many students often think that planning isn't a useful step in the writing process and that it takes too long.
How might planning help to organise our thoughts into a coherent response? How can planning improve the efficiency of the writing process?
To help you plan your year 9 english lesson on: Planning and writing a 'Small Island' essay, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 english lesson on: Planning and writing a 'Small Island' essay, 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 discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
"England is where the future lies"
"In England I will have a big house with a bell on the front door"
"I will be a teacher, greeted with manners and respect"
Exit quiz
6 Questions
Overarching argument, supported by the whole text.
The first sentence of a paragraph; the paragraph's main idea.
References to the text which support your topic sentence.
The final sentence of a paragraph; concludes the paragraph’s ideas.
Sums up your essay’s overall thesis.