An exploration of Chapter 8 of 'Lord of the Flies'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain and explore the key events in Chapter 8 of 'Lord of the Flies'.
Key learning points
- Jack creates a breakaway group and some of the boys sneak away to join him.
- Jack and what he now calls his "tribe" kill a pig and leave her head as a present for the beast.
- Simon goes into the jungle alone and speaks with the head of the pig.
- The head of the pig appears to him as the beast.
- The beast tells him that he exists in all people and is the reason that everything is wrong.
Keywords
Patronising - speaking to or behaving towards someone as if they are stupid or not important
Misguided - unreasonable because of being based on bad judgement or on wrong information or beliefs
Threatening - expressing a threat of something unpleasant or violent
To dismiss - to decide that something or someone is not important and not worth considering
To reveal - to make known something that is surprising or that was previously secret
Common misconception
Students may be confused about what is actually happening in the encounter between the beast and Simon.
Remind them that Simon has a tendency to lose consciousness. They need to be able to interpret this encounter on multiple levels.
Teacher tip
Ensure there is enough time for the discussion about groups. Students' understanding of groups and group dynamics is key to understanding this chapter.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of 'Lord of the Flies' by William Golding.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.If you are part of a group you are...
Q2.In 'Lord of the Flies', Jack is a chorister. What is a chorister?
Q3.What happens to Piggy's glasses in 'Lord of the Flies'?
Q4.What is Jack's primary goal in 'Lord of the Flies'?
Q5.What is Ralph's primary goal in 'Lord of the Flies'?
Q6.Which of the following is a synonym for disagree?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words on the left with their synonyms on the right.
condescending
incorrect
disclose
menacing
minimise
Q2.Starting with the first, put the events of Chapter 8 of 'Lord of the Flies' in chronological order.
Q3.What are the shared interests of Jack's group in Chapter 8 of 'Lord of the Flies'?
Q4.Which of the following is not true of Simon in 'Lord of the Flies'?
Q5.What word beginning with 'H' describes an experience where someone imagines that something is happening?
Q6.What happens to Simon at the end of Chapter 8 of 'Lord of the Flies'?
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: An exploration of Chapter 8 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 8 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.