Myths about teaching can hold you back
- Year 9
Watching and discussing 'Small Island' Act 1 Scene 1 with director Rufus Norris
I can use Rufus Norris’s ideas to help me watch Act 1 Scene 1.
- Year 9
Watching and discussing 'Small Island' Act 1 Scene 1 with director Rufus Norris
I can use Rufus Norris’s ideas to help me watch Act 1 Scene 1.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Norris explains the importance of the Pathé news clips in positioning the audience in a specific time and place.
- Direct address establishes Hortense as a confident character and fades as her heart is broken.
- Norris describes the audience’s “agreement” that allows imagination and make-believe in theatre staging.
- Act 1 Scene 1 begins with a hurricane and introduces the character Hortense.
Keywords
Pathé news clips - short, old-fashioned news videos shown in cinemas before TV was common and made by the film company Pathé
Ex-communicated - officially removed or cut off from a church or group
Discrepancy - a clear difference between two things that should match
Communal - shared by a group of people or used together
Common misconception
The Pathé news clips are just old videos used as a backdrop and don’t add meaning to the play.
The Pathé clips set the historical context and show a biased view of the British Empire. They contrast with the characters’ real experiences, deepening our understanding of the story’s themes.
To help you plan your year 9 English lesson on: Watching and discussing 'Small Island' Act 1 Scene 1 with director Rufus Norris, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 English lesson on: Watching and discussing 'Small Island' Act 1 Scene 1 with director Rufus Norris, 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.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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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.
Equipment
You will need the National Theatre production of 'Small Island', which can be found on the website 'Drama Online'. Act 1 Scene 1 is from the beginning to where Hortense runs off stage (00:27:22).
Content guidance
- Contains strong language
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
- Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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