Analysing the main character in 'Sherlock Holmes'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can orally present a paragraph about the main character of 'Sherlock Holmes'.
Key learning points
- A text gives us clues about a character's features and feelings.
- Some text clues about a character are explicit and some text clues about a character use subtext.
- We can infer a character's traits by examining their behaviour.
- Sherlock Holmes is a complex character.
- 'Shrewd', 'unflappable', 'presumptuous' and 'assertive' are words that can be used to describe Sherlock Holmes.
Keywords
Explicit - clear and exact
Subtext - a hidden or less obvious meaning
Character traits - the special qualities that make a character in a story unique and interesting
Inference - a conclusion drawn from information and evidence in a text
Common misconception
Pupils may struggle with some of the complex character trait vocabulary.
Use the vocabulary pictures to tell a very short story about how what the character is doing reflects the word - or choose your own images which do this in another way if you prefer.
Teacher tip
For Task B, you may wish to use an adapted or abridged version of a complete Sherlock Holmes story to give pupils a lengthier opportunity to reach conclusions about the character.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What language feature is seen in the following sentence? 'As the fire blazes, Holmes puts down his violin.'
Q2.A semi-colon can be used to ...
Q3.After which word could the semi-colon be placed in the following sentence? 'Holmes sat by his desk Watson was in an armchair close to the roaring fire.'
Q4.Which of these sentences could be joined by a semi-colon?
Q5.What features are seen in the following sentence? 'On the street, the cobbles shine in the light of the gas lamp; from inside, the sound of a violin can be heard.'
Q6.Which of these sentences could include a semi-colon?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.If you make something explicit, you are making it ...
Q2.What inferences can we make from the following description? 'Holmes barely looked up when I walked in, so engrossed was he in his work.'
Q3.What character trait is shown in the following description? 'Holmes ordered the man to leave Baker Street immediately.'
Q4.What character trait is shown in the following description? 'Holmes deduced from the woman's appearance that she had been riding in a dog-cart.'
Q5.Match the words to their definitions.
over-confident or possibly rude
modest and shy
confident
calm under pressure
Q6.Which description shows that Holmes is 'presumptuous'?
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Analysing the main character in 'Sherlock Holmes', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Analysing the main character in 'Sherlock Holmes', 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 'Sherlock Holmes': descriptive and letter writing unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.