If something is paradoxical, it seems to contradict itself.

A conjecture is a conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information.

If something has singularity, you could say it is one of a kind.

A quarrel is a heated argument or disagreement.

Pointing indirectly towards someone’s guilt but not proving it.

Reading 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'

English

Making predictions about Sherlock Holmes

Analysing Helen Stoner’s presentation in ‘The Speckled Band’

Making predictions about ‘The Speckled Band’ mystery

Analysing atmosphere and character in ‘The Speckled Band’

Investigating Julia’s death in ‘The Speckled Band’

Analysing Dr. Roylott in ‘The Speckled Band’

Writing an argument about Dr. Roylott from ‘The Speckled Band’

Creating newspaper headlines and subheadings

Writing the opening of an article on ‘The Speckled Band’ case

‘The Speckled Band’ case: writing a newspaper article body

'The Speckled Band' case: concluding newspaper articles

Using rhetorical devices in newspaper articles

Reading about Stoke Moran and analysing atmosphere in ‘The Speckled Band’

Reading and summarising the conclusion of ‘The Speckled Band’ mystery

Planning a newspaper article about the solved  case of ‘The Speckled Band’

Writing your own newspaper article about Sherlock Holmes

Solving 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'

Comparing the victims in ‘The Speckled Band’ and ‘The Boscombe Valley Mystery’

Analysing John Turner from ‘The Boscombe Valley Mystery’

Comparing ‘The Speckled Band’ and ‘The Boscombe Valley Mystery’

‘The Speckled Band’ and ‘The Boscombe Valley Mystery’: a written comparison

in 'Sherlock Holmes: Short Stories', pupils practise using analytical writing sentence structures, to formulate their arguments. In 'Myths and Legends Re-Told', pupils develop these skills further, applying them to a range of pre- 20th Century texts. 

in 'When the Sky Falls' pupils read fiction texts for fluency and comprehension. In 'Sherlock Holmes: Short Stories' pupils start to analyse the language choices of an author.

In this unit, pupils read and explore two famous Sherlock Holmes stories. They start by reading and analysing 'The Speckled Band' before using it as inspiration to write a newspaper article. They then read and analyse 'The Boscombe Valley Murder' before writing a comparison of the two stories.

Sherlock Holmes: short stories

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

A conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information.

Pointing indirectly towards someone’s guilt, but not proving it.

Turner's daughter following McCarthy into Boscombe Valley.

Turner following McCarthy into Boscombe Valley.

McCarthy's son following McCarthy into Boscombe Valley.

In 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery' what did the game keeper witness?

Who died in 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'?

Who is the main suspect in 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'?

In 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery', what injuries were found on McCarthy’s body?

His gun was found next to his father's body.

A letter from him was found next to his father's body.

His glove was found next to his father's body.

What is one of the key reasons that James McCarthy is the main suspect in 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'?

Something that is easy to understand and explain.

Something that is difficult to understand and explain.

In the Sherlock Holmes stories, what job does Sherlock Holmes do?

Dr Watson, Holmes' close friend, often accompanies Holmes on investigations.

Dr Watson is a friend of Holmes, who often comes with him to investigate.

Dr Watson, a colleague of Holmes, often lends a hand in investigations.

Which sentence uses a noun appositive correctly to describe who Dr Watson is in the Sherlock Holmes stories?

What is a motive in relation to committing a crime?

The person who has committed a wrongdoing. 

A wealthy person with a large country house. 

Reading 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'

Lesson outcome

Content guidance