the use of images to represent specific ideas or themes

the action of repairing something. To make amends to those that have been wronged or harmed

evoking a strong emotional response. Revealing a significant meaning

to show or represent the most important features of something

describing something that is similar to something else.

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

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 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'

Understanding questions and writing thesis statements on ‘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

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

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

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

In Act 2, Scenes 7 and 8 of 'Small Island', which characters can we draw parallels between because of their views?

In 'Small Island', Edmundson uses the symbolism of a “hummingbird” to represent ...

To make amends to those that have been wronged or harmed.

To cause a sharp feeling of sadness or upset.

To show or represent the most important features of something.

Describing something that is similar to something else.

Match the key terms to their definitions.

In Act 2, Scene 8 of 'Small Island', How does Bernard react to the arrival of Queenie's baby? 

Bernard’s behaviour is a poignant moment that reveals the possibility of hope. 

Poignant Bernard’s behaviour is a moment that reveals the possibility of hope. 

Bernard’s behaviour is a moment that reveals the possibility of poignant hope.

Which sentence is the word 'poignant' used in correctly? 

Bernard wants the lodgers out of the house, including Gilbert and Hortense.

Queenie goes into labour and Hortense helps Queenie deliver the baby. 

It becomes obvious the baby is Michael's. 

Bernard comforts the baby and shows him affection. 

Bernard tells Queenie about his experience in India. 

Starting with the first, put the plot points from Act 2, Scenes 7-8 of 'Small Island' in chronological order.

Who is Miss Todd in the play 'Small Island'?

He has been back in England for four months but has been in Brighton.

He was injured in the war and had to recover.

He had to help his friend Maxi when he got into trouble in India.

In Act 2, Scene 6 of 'Small Island', Bernard returns from a long absence. What happened to him? 

In Act 2, Scene 5 of 'Small Island', Bernard meets Gilbert for the first time. Complete the quote: "Bernard {{}} the door in Gilbert's face."

What is being defined here? 'The use of images to represent specific ideas or themes.'

In 'Small Island', Edmundson uses the quintessential {{}} of London to create an idealistic view of England.

"Are you telling me...you've been sharing this house with...?"

"I'm quite sure that Mr Bligh would not approve of this sitution..."

Match the character from 'Small Island' to the correct quote.

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

Lesson outcome

Content guidance