Exploring the importance of books and stories
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can consider why stories and their central themes might be important for society.
Key learning points
- Stories have existed throughout human history.
- Potentially, we might tell stories as a way of creating social bonds and relationships between people.
- We might also tell stories as a way of understanding the world around us.
- Stories might change people's worlds by offering them a sense of connection with others.
- They also might inspire people to see the world in a different way and change their perspective.
Keywords
Universal - relating to or done by all people or things in the world or in a particular group; applicable to all cases
American dream - the idea that every person has the freedom and opportunity to succeed and attain a better life
Totalitarian - a political system in which those in power have complete control and limit people's freedom
Social class - a division of a society based on social and economic status
Individualism - the idea that each person should think and act independently rather than depending on others
Common misconception
Books are irrelevant to them and their lives.
Books are one way of sharing stories - stories have always been part of human history as they are a way of forming connections and understanding the world around us.
Teacher tip
It might be useful for pupils to share their ideas about how books might change someone's world as that might help them understand why reading and sharing stories is important.
Equipment
For Task B, there are recaps of the books on the worksheet to help students complete the task.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.'A narrative about people and events, usually including an interesting plot' is the definition of which word beginning with 's'?
Q2.'Relating to or done by all people or things in the world or in a particular group; applicable to all cases' is the definition of which word beginning with 'u'?
Q3.The main idea or underlying meaning that a writer explores in a novel, short story, or other literary work is called the ...
Q4.'The idea that each person should think and act independently rather than depending on others' is the definition of which word beginning with 'i'?
Q5.'Reflection of one's thoughts, feelings, and opinions on a particular topic or piece of literature' is known as a __________ response.
Q6.Which of the following is the definition of the American dream?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.'A division of a society based on social and economic status' is the definition of?
Q2.Which of the following is the best summary of Orwell's '1984'?
Q3.The title of Emily Brontë's famous novel is ' Heights'.
Q4.'A political system in which those in power have complete control and limit people's freedom' is the definition of which word beginning with 't'?
Q5.Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby' is arguably a critique of the dream.
Q6.By critiquing the American dream, Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby' may cause people to have a outlook on life.
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Exploring the importance of books and stories, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Exploring the importance of books and stories, 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 Fiction: books that changed my world unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.