Exploring and engaging with themes in 'Oliver Twist'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify and engage with the key themes in ‘Oliver Twist’.
Key learning points
- A theme is a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story.
- Themes can be incredibly relevant and link to significant issues regardless of the time in which the text was written.
- At the end of the text, the author offers resolutions to many of the characters.
- The theme of identity is conveyed through Oliver’s emotional journey to finding out who he is; it is a central theme.
Keywords
Theme - A theme is a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story.
Convey - To convey means to communicate a message to the reader directly or indirectly.
Identity - Identity is linked to understanding who you are and your place within the world.
Common misconception
Pupils may find discussing a character's search for identity challenging.
Discuss identity in relation to other characters that pupils have experienced in texts they have in common. Links can be made across lessons, particularly Lesson 1 and 2.
Teacher tip
To make the story summary slides at the start of LC1 more engaging, statements could be put onto strips of paper for pupils to sequence in pairs after reading.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2014 Oxford University Press edition of ‘Oliver Twist’ written by Geraldine McCaughrean, illustrated by Jeff Anderson, for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of upsetting content
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Who teaches Oliver to read and write?
Q2.Which character does Fagin ask to track Nancy's whereabouts?
Q3.Which adults in the text does Oliver trust most?
Q4.During the text, in which locations does Oliver feel like he belongs?
Q5.What is a theme within a text?
Q6.What is a suitable definition of a character's identity?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their definitions.
a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story
to communicate a message to the reader directly or indirectly
linked to understanding who you are and your place within the world
Q2.Where does Oliver find his mother's items in Fagin's Den?
Q3.True or False? Monks is Oliver's half-brother.
Q4.How much inheritance is Oliver set to receive?
Q5.What items does Oliver now own that belonged to his mother?
Q6.What word is engraved on the brass plate on the church near where Oliver and his friends now live?
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Exploring and engaging with themes in 'Oliver Twist', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Exploring and engaging with themes in 'Oliver Twist', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the 'Oliver Twist': reading unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.