An exploration of Scene Eight of Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain what happens in Scene Eight of ‘Leave Taking’, with a focus on Del’s development.
Key learning points
- Del sits exams with Mai to prove she is capable of being an obeah woman.
- Mai has a serious heart condition that will prove fatal.
- Mai gives Del her notebook which contains everything she knows about obeah.
- Enid justifies the choices she made in bringing up her daughters.
- The play ends with Del reading Enid’s palm.
Keywords
Obeah - Obeah is a series of spell-casting and healing traditions found in the Caribbean.
Development - The process by which something may change over time, including people understanding and accepting who they are.
Identity - Who you are; the qualities that make you. Understanding, finding and accepting your identity can be a life’s work.
Common misconception
The play is set over a series of days so Del's character development is rapid.
The stage directions at the beginning of each scene show that sometimes a few days have past, and sometimes much longer.
Teacher tip
Consider how you will explore the idea that Enid's mother didn't like her because "she was too black". The focus of this lesson is Del, but you should consider how to approach this moment with your class.
Equipment
You need access to Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking' published by Nick Hern Books.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of sexual violence
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In Scene Four of 'Leave Taking', what does Enid reveal about her final day in Jamaica before migrating to England?
Q2.In Scene Two of 'Leave Taking', Enid and Del argue. Why is Del particularly angry with Enid?
Q3.In Scene Five of 'Leave Taking', how does Pinnock show that Del is becoming increasingly interested in obeah?
Q4.In Scene One of 'Leave Taking', Enid describes Del as ' . Like she possessed.'
Q5.In Scene Six of 'Leave Taking', Enid confides in Mai, telling her that she is worried about Del: 'I worry she a go herself.'
Q6.In Scene Six of 'Leave Taking', Mai wonders if there is 'some kinda curse that condemn our people to wander the earth like who can't find rest.'
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How does 'Leave Taking' end?
Q2.In Scene Eight of 'Leave Taking', what does Enid reveal about her relationship with her mother?
Q3.In Scene Eight of 'Leave Taking', what does Del learn about Mai during her practical exam?
Q4.In Scene Eight of 'Leave Taking', Mai tells Del that she is going to see her next client. Mai says, 'Is time. You .'
Q5.In Scene Eight of 'Leave Taking', Del and Enid discuss the relative poverty of Enid's family in Jamaica, and Enid's family in England. Enid says, 'In a way we than them.'
Q6.In Scene Eight of 'Leave Taking', Enid tells Del that she knows they face racial discrimination. Enid hates this, and it makes her want to ' the place down.'
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: An exploration of Scene Eight of Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: An exploration of Scene Eight of Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking', 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 4 English lessons from the Leave Taking: a sense of belonging unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.