New
New
Year 11
Eduqas

Exploring the importance of books and stories

I can consider why stories and their central themes might be important for society.

New
New
Year 11
Eduqas

Exploring the importance of books and stories

I can consider why stories and their central themes might be important for society.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Stories have existed throughout human history.
  2. Potentially, we might tell stories as a way of creating social bonds and relationships between people.
  3. We might also tell stories as a way of understanding the world around us.
  4. Stories might change people's worlds by offering them a sense of connection with others.
  5. They also might inspire people to see the world in a different way and change their perspective.

Keywords

  • Universal - relating to or done by all people or things in the world or in a particular group; applicable to all cases

  • American dream - the idea that every person has the freedom and opportunity to succeed and attain a better life

  • Totalitarian - a political system in which those in power have complete control and limit people's freedom

  • Social class - a division of a society based on social and economic status

  • Individualism - the idea that each person should think and act independently rather than depending on others

Common misconception

Books are irrelevant to them and their lives.

Books are one way of sharing stories - stories have always been part of human history as they are a way of forming connections and understanding the world around us.

It might be useful for pupils to share their ideas about how books might change someone's world as that might help them understand why reading and sharing stories is important.
Teacher tip

Equipment

For Task B, there are recaps of the books on the worksheet to help students complete the task.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), 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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6 Questions

Q1.
'A narrative about people and events, usually including an interesting plot' is the definition of which word beginning with 's'?
Correct Answer: story, stories, a story
Q2.
'Relating to or done by all people or things in the world or in a particular group; applicable to all cases' is the definition of which word beginning with 'u'?
Correct Answer: universal
Q3.
The main idea or underlying meaning that a writer explores in a novel, short story, or other literary work is called the ...
atmosphere
Correct answer: theme
tone
mood
Q4.
'The idea that each person should think and act independently rather than depending on others' is the definition of which word beginning with 'i'?
Correct Answer: individualism, individual
Q5.
'Reflection of one's thoughts, feelings, and opinions on a particular topic or piece of literature' is known as a __________ response.
rational
logical
Correct answer: personal
Q6.
Which of the following is the definition of the American dream?
The notion that life is meaningless and nothing matters.
The idea that everyone should think and act independently.
Correct answer: The idea that everyone can succeed in life.

6 Questions

Q1.
'A division of a society based on social and economic status' is the definition of?
Correct Answer: social class
Q2.
Which of the following is the best summary of Orwell's '1984'?
'1984' is a story of a future society where books are forbidden.
'1984' is the story of a futuristic society where there is no class or gender.
Correct answer: '1984' is the story of a government that exerts full control over its citizens.
Q3.
The title of Emily Brontë's famous novel is ' Heights'.
Correct Answer: Wuthering
Q4.
'A political system in which those in power have complete control and limit people's freedom' is the definition of which word beginning with 't'?
Correct Answer: totalitarian, totalitarianism
Q5.
Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby' is arguably a critique of the dream.
Correct Answer: American
Q6.
By critiquing the American dream, Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby' may cause people to have a outlook on life.
Correct answer: pessimistic
Correct answer: apathetic
optimistic