An exploration of Chapter 1 of 'Lord of the Flies'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how characters and objects are presented in Chapter 1.
Key learning points
- In Chapter 1, we meet the characters Ralph, Piggy and Jack who have contrasting personalities.
- Piggy seems to be the weakest because he has a number of physical ailments.
- Ralph uses the conch (a beautiful shell) to summon the other children on the island.
- Both Jack and Ralph want to be leader and Ralph is elected.
- Jack uses his knife to try to kill a pig, but he is unable to strike the blow.
Keywords
Stranded - unable to leave somewhere
Uninhabited - an uninhabited place has no people living in it
Conch - a large spiral shell
To summon - to call someone to a particular place
Characterisation - the method by which a writer represents someone using description and speech
Common misconception
Pupils often think the island in the novel is like a tropical paradise.
Draw their attention to the suggestion of danger in the language used.
Teacher tip
Asking pupils to list and reflect on what they regard as necessities can help them appreciate the challenges facing the boys in the novel.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies'.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In what year was 'Lord of the Flies' published?
Q2.William Golding, author of 'Lord of the Flies' served in which war?
Q3.What does 'uninhabited' mean?
Q4.If we say something is natural, what do we mean?
Q5.What word beginning with 'C' means the fictional people in a novel?
Q6.In his lifetime, as well as being a writer, William Golding had two significant roles. What were they?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words on the left with their synonym on the right.
Q2.Which of the following is the best definition of characterisation?
Q3.Match the character from Golding's 'Lord of the Flies' to their description.
Q4.Starting with the first, put the events from Chapter 1 of 'Lord of the Flies' in chronological order.
Q5.In 'Lord of the Flies' what is the conch used for?
Q6.In 'Lord of the Flies', why doesn't Jack kill the pig?
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: An exploration of Chapter 1 of 'Lord of the Flies', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: An exploration of Chapter 1 of 'Lord of the Flies', 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 3 English lessons from the 'Lord of the Flies' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.