19th Century Prose: Introducing Charles Dickens in Year 9

A classroom-ready, 10-lesson scheme of work that introduces 19th century prose literature through well-chosen extracts from Charles Dickens' works.

This resource is exactly what departments across the country want.

K Greaves, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

All detailed lesson plans are supported with student worksheets, and PowerPoint presentations to help delivery. Particularly great for preparing your Year 9 students for the new GCSE in English Literature.

Includes:

An incredibly comprehensive resource

K Chanter, English Teacher & Peer Reviewer
  • SOW outline with objectives and new GCSE AOs cross-referenced
  • 10 lesson plans with supporting resources
  • Extracts included from Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, Bleak House and David Copperfield

What do teachers say about this resource? (5901)

An excellent resource....What I really liked was the inclusion of short extracts coupled with well-thought out-worksheets which facilitate the analysis of language... the variety of tasks... all worked together to be an excellent support for a teacher... the layout was excellent, making the resource easy to navigate... the worksheets were excellent in scaffolding pupils’ engagement... matches the new GCSE specification very well. It addresses the AOs and breaks down these challenging texts into manageable chunks... I would purchase this... I really liked the detailed and easy-to-read scheme of learning and lesson plans with clear links to the AOs. I liked the short pithy extracts which make the introduction to this kind of literature more manageable for pupils who may be unfamiliar with it. I liked the short tasks that invite pupils to engage with detailed analysis of 19th century language and structure. There are great opportunities offered to encourage a contextualised understanding of the text... there were excellent questions to prompt pupil engagement with the extracts.... There are excellent pointers for analysis and reflection on how language and structure are used to create the character of Fagin... There are very useful worksheets to scaffold analysis of how evil characters were created through language choices... The answer sheets also allow for useful self-checking by the pupils. There is a useful worksheet to explore the connotations of language... There is a very helpful analysis of a sample essay response. I also liked the useful slides on context at the end of the publication and also helpful suggestions for a class debate.

K McLoughlin, English Teacher & Peer Reviewer

This is a fantastic resource. Well written, well resourced and one which is relevant to the new NC... the examiner responses were brilliant... an excellent resource

V Kondou, English Teacher & Peer Reviewer

A fantastic resource on a much-loved writer which chooses appropriate extracts from challenging texts and makes them accessible to KS3 students at various levels... The resource is incredibly valuable in preparing both teachers and students for the heightened demands of the new GCSEs especially regarding pre-20th century texts... well laid out, simple and easy to navigate.. adaptable and prepares students incredibly well for any GCSE specification, whether or not they will be studying Charles Dickens. It also has many links with other areas of reading and writing as a whole and could be dipped into within other schemes of work

P Town, English Teacher & Peer Reviewer

This resource is exactly what departments across the country want. It has been created by someone who has a very good understanding of students and what they need to feel supported but also when they need to be more independent... clear throughout, well structured and well planned. It is instantly classroom ready – you do not need to do a thing!... The scheme of work overview is exactly what departments want. It clearly states what AOs are being met each lesson... There are suggested answers to guide teachers / cover supervisors... I can’t think of any teacher who wouldn’t find this resource beneficial to their department – even if you are comfortable with C19th literature... The tasks encourage students to become more independent... This is an essential skill students will need for their GCSEs.. It does scaffold the work so that students feel supported throughout the activities... I know that my students would enjoy the ‘most evil character’ tasks... Students will feel secure when exploring the C19th novel. As I’ve gone through this resource, I haven’t once stopped and thought about one of my students struggling with an activity or feeling unsupported. I teach quite a few LA/MA students and I can see them all being able to tackle the activities in this resource with confidence. Boosting the self-esteem of these students is something I look for in resources and this one will encourage and support them... Fantastically clear resource which isn’t overwhelming to students or staff. The PowerPoint is pitched very well... The resource has been created specifically to prepare students for the new GCSE examinations and it has done so with care and attention to detail. The practice GCSE question is clear for students are the author is very much aware of how these students will be assessed in this exam. This information is put across to students with clarity but also in a helpful tone. It shows students how to breakdown the question and plan their response... I’m very impressed with this resource and how well it supports students and meets the upcoming exam specifications.

K Greaves, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

An incredibly comprehensive resource in terms of the extracts that it addresses and the approach that it takes to teaching what is tricky content to younger students... the quality of the approach makes it a reliable scheme to introduce this unit... I liked the synoptic approach. For the new AQA spec they are stressing the importance of working on developing skills rather than knowledge and the easy way that this approaches those skills is excellent. I really like the variety of texts and that it is possible to look at the generic features of Dickens' writing without trudging through a lengthy pre-20th century novel... the way that the lessons are structured enables you to cover a lot of ground in a short space of time... would give year 9 students a good jolt into GCSE but in a fun and engaging way... added a highbrow flavour to a year 9 curriculum that has been lacking it for some time!... matches the new AQA specification perfectly... this would be what I would be looking for to train my current year 9 for the requirements of the new GCSE.

K Chanter, English Teacher & Peer Reviewer

It’s comprehensive... the overview at the start is helpful for a quick glance at the lessons.
Mapping to the GCSE AOs is a good idea in terms of looking forward and mapping progression. There is a variety of activities including more ‘hands on’ ones such as drawing, and creative ones such as poetry writing.
I love that it brings in other writers such as Duffy and it is good that it brings in a range of genres including articles.
It is clearly designed to enhance students' understanding of the writer and the time period, as well as other connected genres and elements.
Addresses the requirements well, especially in terms of ‘stretch and challenge’.

A Baiden, T&L Co-Ordinator & Peer Reviewer