Exploring and evaluating the importance of Act 1
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the structure of Act 1 and offer a personal perspective on key themes.
Key learning points
- Act 1 is considered a very important part of a play’s structure- it is sometimes referred to as the ‘set-up’.
- ‘Small Island’ is comprised of an ensemble cast and multiple narratives.
- Queenie’s pregnancy and the sailing of the Empire Windrush at the end of Act 1, create a dramatic transition into Act 2.
- The themes of ambition, betrayal, hope and belonging are prevalent in Act 1 and connect many of the characters.
Keywords
Motivation - the willingness to do something or a reason to act or behave in a specific way
Theme - an idea that is explored in a text in different ways, to fully explore the complexity of that idea
Ensemble cast - a cast that comprises of many different main actors- there is not a single protagonist
Inciting - means to stir up or encourage an action, usually in a forceful, urgent way
Exposition - the establishing of key information, characters and setting in a text
Common misconception
That you should not use your own opinions or perspectives when exploring a text.
Being able to articulate your own opinions and perspectives is an important skill to have. They should be rooted in evidence from the text and should avoid speculation.
Teacher tip
Learning cycle 1 could be a whole class activity and made more visual by plotting the structure of Act 1 on a board or wall.
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.In what year was 'Small Island' first performed at the National Theatre?
Q2.In 'Small Island' what are the play's primary locations?
Q3.Starting with the first, put the plot events from 'Small Island' Act 1 in to chronological order.
Q4.In 'Small Island' which character says, "I'm done with this small island. I seen too much of the world now."
Q5.Complete this quote from Act 1 Scene 7 of 'Small Island'. Hortense states "England is my ..."
Q6.In the opening stage directions of 'Small Island' Act 1 Scene 8, what year is mentioned, and what event is highlighted?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which term best describes a cast that comprises many different main characters, rather than a single protagonist?
Q2.Which character in 'Small Island' exhibits optimism about opportunities presented by the RAF?
Q3.Who among the characters in 'Small Island' longs for a passionate, exciting life away from their life of "drudgery"?
Q4.Match the component from an Act 1 structure to its correct definition.
Q5.Which word beginning with "I", means to stir up or encourage an action, usually in a forceful, urgent way?
Q6.What term describes the part of the story that pushes the narrative in a new direction and often marks a major escalation, appearing at the end of Act 1?
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Exploring and evaluating the importance of Act 1, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Exploring and evaluating the importance of Act 1, 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.