Session 7

Focus objective

• To use drama techniques to explore a character or a key moment in a plot

Key teaching approaches

• Conscience alley

Begin the session by reading aloud Chapter 8 'The Carpet Beaters'. During the shared part of the lesson, talk with the class about reasons why Jim should try to escape from the workhouse and reasons why he should stay. Then organise the class into two lines facing each other and, with one child in role as Jim walking along the conscience alley, ask the children to call out from one side reasons why he should escape from the workhouse and, from the other, reasons why he should stay. For example, they might say, 'Stay, you've got a roof over your head!' or 'Go, this is no way to live!' Finish the session by asking the children to write their opinions on sticky notes. Collect the ideas together and keep them in a class journal.