viewing something as perfect even if the reality suggests something different

the overarching argument to an essay supported by the entire text

the first sentence of a paragraph; it states the paragraph’s main idea

a hope or ambition of achieving something

Understanding questions and writing thesis statements on ‘Small Island’

English

Exploring 'Small Island' and the Windrush context

Helen Edmundson on adapting 'Small Island' for the stage

'Small Island': from page to stage

'Small Island': reading the start of Act 1 Scene 1

'Small Island': exploring the theme of power through Little Hortense

'Small Island': tracking the events of Act 1 Scene 1

'Small Island': the significance of the hurricane

Watching and discussing 'Small Island' Act 1 Scene 1 with director Rufus Norris

'Small Island': reading Act 1 Scene 2

Watching and discussing 'Small Island' Act 1 Scene 2 with director Rufus Norris

'Small Island': reading the beginning of Act 1 Scene 3

'Small Island': reading the end of Act 1 Scene 3

Watching 'Small Island' Act 1 Scene 3 with Rufus Norris and Helen Edmundson

'Small Island': reading Act 1, Scenes 4-6

'Small Island': reading Act 1, Scenes 7 and 8

Watching and discussing 'Small Island' Act 1 Scenes 4-8 with Rufus Norris

'Small Island': exploring Act 1 through the context of Windrush

Exploring and evaluating the importance of Act 1

'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scene 1

Watching and discussing 'Small Island' Act 2 Scene 1 with Helen Edmundson

'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scenes 2 to 4

'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scenes 5 to 6

Watching and discussing 'Small Island' Act 2 Scenes 2 to 6 with Rufus Norris

'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scenes 7 and 8

'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scenes 9 to 11

Watching 'Small Island' Act 2 Scenes 7-11 with Rufus Norris and Helen Edmundson

Rufus Norris on directing and adapting 'Small Island'

Tracking characters and tension in 'Small Island'

Helen Edmundson on the context, characters and themes of 'Small Island'

'Small Island': creating topic sentences and using quotes in essays

Essay writing: using context in responses to ‘Small Island’

Introductions and conclusions in a 'Small Island' essay

Planning and writing a 'Small Island' essay

Refining and improving an essay on 'Small Island'

In 'Small Island', pupils explore the ways in which transferring Levy's novel onto the stage enables both the playwright and the director to powerfully evoke its ideas about race, identity and belonging. In 'Leave Taking', pupils build on their learning about the Windrush Generation to explore the cultural and generational conflicts, that can arise as a result of migration. 

In 'The Tempest', pupils examine the roles of Caliban and Ariel and how they are treated as outsiders, questioning who has a rightful claim to the island. In 'Small Island', pupils look at the play in the context of the Windrush generation and through the lens of key themes, including identity and belonging.  

In this unit, pupils explore the playtext adaptation of Andrea Levy's novel 'Small Island'. They first explore the transition from novel to stage, before reading the playtext in full and exploring key scenes in detail. They then plan and write an essay on the theme of 'hope' in the text.

'Small Island'

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

What are the key words in this essay question: How does Edmundson explore the themes of power and identity in Act 1 of 'Small Island'? 

Analyse Edmundson’s use of language and  structure

What ideas are there around these concepts in Act 1?

Match the key words from the essay question to what it is asking you to do.

To state the overarching argument supported by the entire text

What is the purpose of a thesis statement in an essay?

What is the function of a topic sentence in a paragraph?

Establishes overarching argument of essay

Which of these create a checklist for an excellent thesis statement?

Overarching argument, supported by the whole text.

References to the text which support your topic sentence.

Quotations which support argument and require analysis.

Match the features of an essay to its description.

In 'Small Island', which character is scared they will be left behind?

Which word beginning with 'A' describes the hope or ambition of achieving something.

For example, "I cannot be the fool who is left behind again."

More specifically, it reveals the connection between identity and ambition.

Hortense and Gilbert make a pragmatic decision to marry.

Additionally, Michael punishes Hortense for what she has done.

Which one of these sentences does **not** use a fronted adverbial to develop the comment?

Similarly, Hortense also believes that Michael is coming to rescue her.

Gilbert expresses his concern over marrying Hortense, saying "it's a tough one".

However, Elwood appears much more cynical.

Whereas, Mrs Ryder sees the hurricane as an exottic experience.

Which one of these sentences does **not** use a comparative conjunction?

Hortense and Mrs Ryder react differently to the hurricane

Gilbert joins the RAF, but it does not live up to expectations

Hortense and Gilbert marry. Queenie and Michael have a relationship

Gilbert leaves for England aboard HMT Empire Windrush. Queenie is pregnant

Starting with the first, put these events from Act 1 of 'Small Island' in chronological order.

Complete this quote from Act 1 Scene 7 in 'Small Island': "England is my ..."

Understanding questions and writing thesis statements on ‘Small Island’

Lesson outcome

Content guidance