11th December. After much discussion and group roleplaying of characters, the students completed written scripts for a chat show that takes place twenty years after the events of the novel and features two or three of the main protagonists.
We then moved on to formal literary essay writing skills. We discussed a selection of questions/titles and came up with a choice they were interested in writing on. We have discussed the requirements of the questions and various essay plans. The due date for peer editing the first draft is Thursday, 15th December.
22nd November. Now that we analysed the themes, characters and language of ‘Lord of the Flies’, our first task is to write a script for a chat show featuring three or four of the characters when they are about 25 years old. I groups, you will prepare possible questions and answers for a particular character or questions and responses for the interviewer. Please create a selection of questions for discussion with your group tomorrow. Remember you need to show your knowledge and understanding of themes, characters and the use of language. What do you think the characters are doing with their lives at the time of the interview? How do you think their experiences on the island might have affected them?
15th November. You now have finished your anaylsis of the final chapters of ‘Lord of the Flies’ and we have watched and discussed the film. On Thursday, we will draw our final conclusions about the themes, characters and the language and style of the novel and begin to prepare our next written assignment.
Friday, 4th November, This week we have discussed and analysed the significance of the events as well as the language and style up to the end of chapter 9. For our next lesson you must analyse chapter 10. How, andf in what ways, are the themes further developed?
Welcome to grade 10!
During this school year, you will continue to study literature and also to prepare for the IGCSE First Language English Examination which will take place at the end of this year. You will continue to develop your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills and will work on a variety of functional language skills in preparation for the IGCSE Examination, including summarising, letter writing, script writing and persuasive writing.
August. We will begin this year with a study of the novel, ‘Lord of the Flies’, a modern classic by William Golding – I use the word ‘modern’ in a literary rather than a literal sense! We shall be looking at some techniques novelists use in constructing memorable texts, as well as what a work of literature may tell tell us about human nature and the nature of society. We shall begin with group discussions and presentations on what the world would be like without adults. What would you do if you found yourselves marooned on a deserted, tropical island? What do you think might happen? What is authority? Are rules necessary? What is the difference between ‘written’ and ‘unwritten’ rules?
September. We will begin with a close, detailed reading and analysis of chapter 1, paying particular attention to the author’s use of language and techniques of characterisation. How do authors introduce characters to their particular ‘audience’? Are first impressions important?
Choose one of the following characters: Ralph, Jack or Piggy. How does Golding introduce your character in chapter 1? How is the character portrayed? Brainstorm in groups with others studying the same character. Try to plan an essay answer to the question, How Does Golding Introduce R, J or P in Chapter 1 of ‘Lord of the Flies’. We will discuss this in detail in class. Of course, you will then write the essay. Due date: Friday 23rd September.
September/October. We will now continue to study the novel in detail with particular focus on language – the use of standard and non-standard English, imagery, symbolism, other literary devices – as well as character and theme. You will do much of the teaching. In groups, you will prepare different sections of the novel to teach/present to the rest of the class and me. We will all then add to the discussion.
Next written assignment. ’Letter in a Bottle’. This is an ‘empathetic’ piece based on the first four chapters of the novel. You must imagine you are Ralph, Piggy or Simon and write the letter you think your character would write to the outside world at the end of chapter 4. You may go to the end of chapter 5 if you feel you would like to. You MUST show your knowledge and understanding of the plot, characters, themes and use of language. Refer closely to the task sheet. Again, you will discuss the topic with other ‘characters’ in class and we will put our ideas together. Due date: Friday, 14th October. By this time, you also need to have read and made notes to the end of chapter 7.
