KS3 & KS4 English curriculum

This unit uses and builds on pupils' reading and initial exploration of Sherlock Holmes in the primary curriculum. In primary, pupils explored retellings of Sherlock stories, but they now read Arthur Conan Doyle's original language in full and complete more analysis of his stories. They also start to learn about the Victorian context in which he was writing, which prepares them for later study of Victorian literature. This unit particulary prepares pupils for the unit 'A Monster Within', where they will read increasingly challenging nineteenth century literature and learn about the Gothic.

1. Making predictions about Sherlock Holmes
2. Analysing Helen Stoner’s presentation in ‘The Speckled Band’
3. Making predictions about ‘The Speckled Band’ mystery
4. Analysing atmosphere and character in ‘The Speckled Band’
5. Investigating Julia’s death in ‘The Speckled Band’
6. Analysing Dr. Roylott in ‘The Speckled Band’
7. Writing an argument about Dr. Roylott from ‘The Speckled Band’
8. Creating newspaper headlines and subheadings
9. Writing the opening of an article on ‘The Speckled Band’ case
10. ‘The Speckled Band’ case: writing a newspaper article body
11. 'The Speckled Band' case: concluding newspaper articles
12. Using rhetorical devices in newspaper articles
13. Reading about Stoke Moran and analysing atmosphere in ‘The Speckled Band’
14. Reading and summarising the conclusion of ‘The Speckled Band’ mystery
15. Planning a newspaper article about the solved case of ‘The Speckled Band’
16. Writing your own newspaper article about Sherlock Holmes
17. Reading 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'
18. Solving 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'
19. Comparing the victims in ‘The Speckled Band’ and ‘The Boscombe Valley Mystery’
20. Analysing John Turner from ‘The Boscombe Valley Mystery’
21. Comparing ‘The Speckled Band’ and ‘The Boscombe Valley Mystery’
22. ‘The Speckled Band’ and ‘The Boscombe Valley Mystery’: a written comparison