Reading and comparing two texts about prisons: London (1862) and Norway (2013)
I can read two texts about the same topic - prisons - and begin to compare them.
Reading and comparing two texts about prisons: London (1862) and Norway (2013)
I can read two texts about the same topic - prisons - and begin to compare them.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Using predictive reading skills before you read a text can help you understand more complex texts.
- When reading a text for the first time, you won’t necessarily understand every word and idea.
- Making short annotations as you read can help you develop an understanding of a text.
- When comparing two texts, using words like ‘more’ or ‘less’ can be helpful.
Keywords
Punitive - something intended as a punishment
Rehabilitation - helping people to recover and reintegrate into society after facing issues
Evaluate - to consider something carefully and make a judgement about it
Inhumane - cruel, brutal
Reform - to change something in order to improve it
Common misconception
That Mayhew describes everything in the prison in a negative light.
Focus on the descriptions of the prisoners. Why does Mayhew present them in this way? What is he trying to say about prisoners?
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Reading and comparing two texts about prisons: London (1862) and Norway (2013), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Reading and comparing two texts about prisons: London (1862) and Norway (2013), 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 4 english lessons from the Non-fiction: crime and punishment unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of Henry Mayhew's 'The Criminal Prisons of London' (1862) and Erwin James's 'The Norwegian Prison' (2013). A copy/link to each text an be found in the additional materials.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
- Depiction or discussion of sexual violence
- Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
literature which describes imaginary events
writing about real events and facts
a piece of writing in a newspaper or magazine
a short section of a longer piece of writing
something intended as a punishment
helping people reintegrate into society
cruel, brutal
changing something to improve it