'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scenes 9 to 11
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the events of Act 2 Scenes 9 to 11 and evaluate the ending.
Key learning points
- Queenie asks Hortense and Gilbert to adopt her baby, revealing the impact of societal attitudes.
- Hortense’s feelings for Gilbert transform into love and pride.
- Hope is a central theme to the play.
- Edmundson reveals the uncertainty of the future in the lack of resolution and cyclical structure.
- Offering a balanced argument and exploration of different themes, adds nuance to your evaluative responses.
Keywords
Futility - something that feels pointless or lacking any worth
Nuanced - having subtle differences or distinctions that add depth or complexity to something
Cyclical - a cyclical structure is where the events at the end of a text mirror the start
Resolution - in terms of stories or texts this refers to the conclusion or the end. More specifically, an ending that feels definite and finished
Common misconception
That 'Small Island' finishes with a perfect resolution.
What issues are addressed in these scenes? Is Edmundson suggesting that these have all been solved? Why is the theme of hope so important?
Teacher tip
Task B could also be set up as a spoken language task.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the play 'Small Island' written by Andrea Levy and adapted for the stage by Helen Edmundson
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What major event happens in Act 2 Scene 7 of 'Small Island'?
Q2.Who helps Queenie deliver her baby in Act 2 Scene 7 of 'Small Island'?
Q3.Act 2, Scene 8 of 'Small Island' Edmunson uses the symbol of __________ to suggest hope and the potential for beauty amidst devastation.
Q4.What do we mean by the term 'resolution' when talking about a text?
Q5.Complete the quotation from Bernard in Act 2 Scene 8 of 'Small Island': " little fellow."
Q6.Act 2, Scene 8 of 'Small Island' ends on a tone of...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the key terms to their definitions.
Something that is feels pointless or lacking any worth.
Having subtle differences that add depth or complexity to something.
Where the events at the end of a text mirror the start.
An ending that feels definite and finished.
Q2.In Act 2 Scene 10 of 'Small Island' Hortense declares: “this is not what I was in England.”
Q3.Complete the quote from Act 2 Scene 9 of 'Small Island': "We can work , Mr Bligh."
Q4.How do Hortense's feelings for Gilbert change by the end of 'Small Island'?
Q5.Why does Queenie ask Hortense and Gilbert to adopt baby Michael in 'Small Island'?
Q6.Complete the stage directions from Act 2, Scene 11 of 'Small Island': “there is only a spotlight on ..."
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: 'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scenes 9 to 11, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: 'Small Island': reading Act 2, Scenes 9 to 11, 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 'Small Island' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.