Analysing John Turner from ‘The Boscombe Valley Mystery’
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can make inferences about John Turner from ‘The Boscombe Valley Mystery’.
Key learning points
- John Turner used to be a bushranger: an armed robber that stole gold.
- Some members of the public had sympathy towards bushrangers for defying the elite.
- John Turner’s description has many layers to it and thus many interpretations of his character.
- You can make good inferences by zooming in on key words and phrases from an extract.
Keywords
Decrepitude - In a state of being worn out due to age or neglect.
Craggy - If something is craggy, it is rugged.
Dignity - If you have dignity, you are worthy of respect or honour.
Inference - An inference is a conclusion reached based on evidence and reasoning.
Common misconception
Some students think that villains are one dimensional.
Villains have their own struggles.
Teacher tip
Compare Turner to Dr. Roylott. How do they compare?
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of upsetting content
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Who is the perpetrator of Charles McCarthy's murder in 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'?
Q2.What was John Turner's motive in 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'?
Q3.What is interesting about Charles McCarthy in 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'?
Q4.What is the difference between Julia Stoner and Charles McCarthy from 'The Speckled Band' and 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery', respectively?
Q5.In 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery', what does John Turner say about himself that builds sympathy for him?
Q6.What influence does Turner say McCarthy had on him in 'The Boscome Valley Mystery'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is decrepitude?
Q2.What is a bushranger?
Q3.Why did bushrangers sometimes receive public sympathy among the lower classes?
Q4.Which quote presents John Turner as ill and weak in 'The Boscome Valley Mystery'?
Q5.In 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery', what is true of John Turner's presentation?
Q6.Which quote matches the idea that Turner is presented as pitiable in 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'?
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Analysing John Turner from ‘The Boscombe Valley Mystery’, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Analysing John Turner from ‘The Boscombe Valley Mystery’, 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 Sherlock Holmes: short stories unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.