Reading and comparing two texts about prisons: London (1862) and Norway (2013)
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can read two texts about the same topic - prisons - and begin to compare them.
Key learning points
- Using predictive reading skills before you read a text can help you understand more complex texts.
- When reading a text for the first time, you won’t necessarily understand every word and idea.
- Making short annotations as you read can help you develop an understanding of a text.
- When comparing two texts, using words like ‘more’ or ‘less’ can be helpful.
Keywords
Punitive - something intended as a punishment
Rehabilitation - helping people to recover and reintegrate into society after facing issues
Evaluate - to consider something carefully and make a judgement about it
Inhumane - cruel, brutal
Reform - to change something in order to improve it
Common misconception
That Mayhew describes everything in the prison in a negative light.
Focus on the descriptions of the prisoners. Why does Mayhew present them in this way? What is he trying to say about prisoners?
Teacher tip
The reading will take up most of the time in this lesson. Consider how you want to read both articles - how much you will read, and how much your pupils will read, particularly of the first extract. Consider if there are additional words you want to define or questions to ask.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of Henry Mayhew's 'The Criminal Prisons of London' (1862) and Erwin James's 'The Norwegian Prison' (2013). A copy/link to each text an be found in the additional materials.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Depiction or discussion of sexual violence
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which words would help you show difference? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Q2.Which words would help you show similarity? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Q3.Match each word to its definition. (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Q4.What word is given to texts that are based in truth and not invented? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Q5.Match each word to its definition. (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Q6.Which dates encompass the 19th century? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which reading skill can help you before reading a complex text? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Q2.Which word means to help people recover and reintegrate into society after facing issues? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Q3.What word beginning with 'P' means to be intended as punishment? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Q4.Complete this sentence to fill the blanks: Contextual information can include; __________, __________ and _________. (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Q5.In a first-person narrative, which pronoun is typically used to refer to the narrator? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
Q6.Which of these would not be considered a non-fiction text? (Non-fiction: crime and punishment)
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Reading and comparing two texts about prisons: London (1862) and Norway (2013), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Reading and comparing two texts about prisons: London (1862) and Norway (2013), 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 Non-fiction: crime and punishment unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.