Session 11

Focus objectives

• To use drama techniques to explore a character's feelings
• To show their understanding of a character's situation by writing in role

Key teaching approaches

• Freeze-frame
• Thought tracking
• Booktalk
• Writing in role

Talk with the class about what it was like for Jim on board The Lily. Working in pairs, ask the children to freeze-frame a scene from this chapter, perhaps showing Jim shovelling coal. Ask some pairs to voice their thoughts in role. Then write these on thought bubbles. Then ask all the children to write their thoughts in role as Jim on thought bubbles. These could be displayed on the wall or put in a class reading journal.

In an art session, the children could draw charcoal sketches of Jim working for Grimy Nick on board The Lily.

In a history session, the children could find out about child labour. Visit the following website: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/IRchild.htm.  On these web pages, it is possible to read first-hand accounts and interviews with Victorian working children.

Note: it is important to check the suitability of any extract given to children from this site, because the content is variable.

Before the next session, read on to Chapter 20 'The Green Caravan'.