Reading about Stoke Moran and analysing atmosphere in ‘The Speckled Band’
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can understand how Conan Doyle creates a sense of atmosphere around Stoke Moran in 'The Speckled Band'.
Key learning points
- Holmes and Watson go to Stoke Moran to investigate the rooms
- Conan Doyle juxtaposes the atmosphere before getting to Stoke Moran and after they have arrived to convey danger
- They find curious items in Helen’s room such as a dummy bell rope and ventilator
- They find curious items in Dr. Roylott’s room such as a saucer of milk and a dog-leash
- After inspecting the rooms, Holmes believes Helen is in great danger
Keywords
Sinister - Sinister means giving the impression something evil or harmful will happen.
Jutted - Jutted means to stick out.
Cunning - To be cunning is to be sly and conceal the truth.
Juxtaposition - If you juxtapose two things, you place them together for contrasting effect.
Idyllic - An idyllic place is extremely happy, peaceful and picturesque.
Common misconception
Conan Doyle creates a scary atmosphere all the way through 'The Speckled Band'.
If you look carefully, Conan Doyle carefully alters the atmosphere in order to build tension in the reader.
Teacher tip
You could get students to make a final prediction about how the saucer, leash, ventilator and bell rope link together.
Equipment
You will need a copy of 'The Speckled Band' by Arthur Conan Doyle for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'The Speckled Band', where does Helen live with her stepfather?
Q2.In 'The Speckled Band', what pets does Dr. Roylott keep?
Q3.Which room was Helen moved to after the death of her sister in 'The Speckled Band'?
Q4.In 'The Speckled Band', what does Sherlock Holmes think is not a likely cause of Julia’s death?
Q5.Why is Sherlock Holmes going to Stoke Moran in 'The Speckled Band'?
Q6.In the story 'The Speckled Band', who came to visit Holmes just after Helen?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does 'cunning' mean?
Q2.In 'The Speckled Band', what word describes the setting when Holmes and Watson set off for Stoke Moran?
Q3.How does the atmosphere in 'The Speckled Band' change when Holmes sees Stoke Moran?
Q4.What is it called when authors put things next to each other for contrasting effect?
Q5.In 'The Speckled Band', what does Holmes find in Helen's room (Julia's old room) that he finds interesting?
Q6.In 'The Speckled Band', what does Holmes conclude after inspecting the rooms at Stoke Moran?
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Reading about Stoke Moran and analysing atmosphere in ‘The Speckled Band’, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Reading about Stoke Moran and analysing atmosphere in ‘The Speckled Band’, 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.