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Dickens’ Days

Curriculum with Unit Plan

Jodi Samsinak

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Index

Title Page Page 1

Index Page 2

Curriculum Description Page 3

Goals of the Unit Page 3

Materials Page 3

Lesson 1 Webquest Page 4

Lesson 2 Anticipatory Set Page 5

Lesson 3 Reading A Christmas Carol Page 10

Lesson 4 Storyboard That Page 11

Lesson 5 Final Projects Page 12

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Curriculum Description

Dickens’ Days is a Silver Dollar City “Student Exclusive” for grades 6

th through 12

th. This

curriculum, a supplement for the performance of A Christmas Carol, is designed to introduce

students to the world of Charles Dickens, his unforgettable characters, and his realistic vision of

Victorian London. Although the setting of A Christmas Carol takes place during the Christian

holiday of Christmas, its messages of charity and family are universal and appeal to everyone.

Students will research relevant historical material, read part of the novel, watch the live

performance, and evaluate the story of Ebenezer Scrooge in a memorable and exciting interactive

experience.

Goals of the Unit

1. Describe the critiques Dickens makes of his Victorian society.

2. Explain Scrooge’s journey from childlike schoolboy to irritable miser.

3. Identify the literary devices Dickens utilizes and how they enrich the story.

4. Compare and contrast the three ghosts and the effects they have on Scrooge.

5. Understand the essential role of children and family in the story.

6. Identify the major turning points that lead to Scrooge’s transformation.

Class Makeup

This unit plan is directed for students in grades 6-12 within a relatively varied socioeconomic

status. These lessons are designed for students with a variety of religious and ethnic

backgrounds. Each individual lesson is written and designed for a classroom size of 30 however

they are also flexible enough to accommodate more or less students.

Materials

You will need a computer with whiteboard and projector for this curriculum. Students will need

internet access.

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Name_______________________________ Per._____

Lesson One – The Life and Times of Charles Dickens – Webquest (with Links)

Directions: Answer each of the following questions using the hyperlink in the question. Or, copy and paste

the link into your browser. You may need to look around on the page to find the answers. If you find that a link

does not work, you may use the internet to research your answer.

1. When was Charles Dickens born, and who were his parents?

http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/dickens/dickensbio1.html

2. At the age of twelve Charles was removed from school and sent here to help his family. http://charlesdickenspage.com/

3. While working for the Morning Chronicle in 1834-36, Charles met his future wife. Who was his wife and how many children did they have? http://www.charlesdickensinfo.com/life/marriage/

4. One of Dickens’ most popular stories is A Christmas Carol. What date was this published? http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/dickens/xmas/pva63.html

5. A Christmas Carol was the first of five Christmas stories that Dickens published.

What was the title of the last Christmas story and when was that published? http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/dickens/xmas/index.html

6. In what year do Charles and his wife decide to separate?

http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/dickens/dickensbio2.html 7. Dickens was a popular writer during the Victorian Age. The Victorian Age is

named after Queen Victoria who inherited the throne of Great Britain. How old was she when she became the queen? http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/Queen-Victoria/

8. Charles Dickens died on June 9, 1870. Where is he buried and who are some of England’s other famous citizens that are buried at the same place? (Name at least two others) http://charlesdickenspage.com/

9. Today if you wanted to go and visit the Charles Dickens Museum, where would you need to travel to see it? http://www.dickensmuseum.com/

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Name______________________________________________ Per.________

Lesson Two –Anticipatory Set

Use any or all of the following activities before students attend the performance.

1. Talk About Christmas. Give students the worksheet to record their thoughts

about Christmas. Discuss with them that A Christmas Carol brought the joy

of Christmas to Britain and England.

2. Find out about the story. Give the students the handout and ask them to

record their responses. Engage in a discussion about their prior knowledge of

this story and others like it.

3. Explore Victorian London. View a short film and attached pictures depicting

life in Victorian London. Have students generate ideas about what they view.

Discuss.

4. Watch a film trailer. Students will compare / contrast three film trailers and

evaluate elements of each.

Name_______________________________ Per._____

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Lesson Two –Talk About Christmas

Directions: Answer the questions in the chart below. Be prepared to discuss your

responses.

What does Christmas mean to

you?

How do people you know behave

at Christmas time as compared to

other times of the year? Are they

happier, friendlier, more giving, or

are they more stressed, angry, or

depressed? Explain.

Do you know anyone who does not

celebrate Christmas? What are

their reasons?

Do you think Christmas time can

be frustrating for some people?

Why or why not?

Name_______________________________________ Per.________

Lesson Two –Think About the Story

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Directions: Answer the questions that follow. Be prepared to discuss.

1. Look at this picture of Ebenezer Scrooge. List

three adjectives (descriptive words) about him.

●

●

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2. Do you think it is possible for people to change? Why do you believe this? Give a

specific example from your life to defend your answer.

3. Do you know of any other stories, movies, or books about characters who

change? List them and briefly describe the change.

Name_______________________________________ Per.________

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Lesson Two – Explore Victorian London

Directions: View the following clip called “Old London Street Scenes.” Look at

the pictures that follow and answer the questions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=v-

5Ts_i164c

1. How did people live in London during

the Victorian Era? (1837-1901).

2. Describe what London looked like in

the Victorian Era.

3. How did people travel?

Name_______________________________

Per._____

Lesson Two – Comparing Film Trailers

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Directions: In this lesson, you will view three film trailers and collect details from each one. You will be

watching the trailer from the 1938 Official Trailer, from the Disney version, and from Mickey Mouse.

1. Do you think you would like to watch this version? Why or why not? (A

Christmas Carol, 1938). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVop9seXSoQ

2. What do you think of this film? Would you like to watch it? Why or why

not? (Jim Carey’s A Christmas Carol). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ3lr3urgDU

3. How is Scrooge portrayed in this version?

(Mickey’s Christmas Carol). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByAINYDyFXs

4. Which of the three versions do you like best and why? Use at

least two details from the trailer to support your answer. Name_______________________________ Per._____

Lesson Three – Reading A Christmas Carol

Visit the following site for the online version of A Christmas Carol. http://www.gutenberg.org/files/46/46-h/46-h.htm

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1. Choose ONE Stave to read. Record a summary of the Stave in the space provided. 2. Mix with your classmates and find someone who recorded a summary for each

additional Stave. Listen to their summary, and share yours as well. 3. Record a summary in each box.

Stave I: Marley’s Ghost

Stave II: The First of the Three Spirits

Stave III: The Second of the Three Spirit

Stave IV: The Last of the Spirits

Stave IV: The End of It

Name_______________________________ Per._____

Lesson Four – Storyboard That!

Directions: After viewing A Christmas Carol, demonstrate your understanding of the plot by completing the diagram below. You may use text or images to complete your Storyboard. If you would like to create your Storyboard online, visit the following site: www.storyboardthat.com

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Name_______________________________ Per._____

Lesson Five – Final Projects

Directions: After viewing A Christmas Carol, choose ONE of the following projects to demonstrate your understanding.

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Option 1: Sequel. Write a sequel to A Christmas Carol. Describe how Scrooge lives out his life and celebrates Christmas for the next 10 years of his life.

Option 2: Marley’s Chain. Imagine that you are visited by someone in your past, just as Scrooge was visited by Jacob Marley. What do they warn you about? Write a story about the warning and how you react.

Option 3: Illustration. Create a quality illustration of one of the scenes from A Christmas Carol. On the back, explain why this scene is important to you.

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Name_______________________________ Per._____

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

PROJECT RUBRIC

Content Organization Style Creativity

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Shows a high level of understanding

and critical thinking.

Provides a precise interpretation with

an order that is clear and effective.

Demonstrates a

superior ability to

communicate with

clarity and flair.

High degree of creativity.

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Shows sound understanding and

critical thinking.

Provides a clear interpretation with an

order that is easy to follow.

Demonstrates a sound

ability to communicate

clearly.

Some creativity, without sacrificing accuracy or

clarity.

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Shows basic understanding but little

critical thinking.

Provides a mostly clear interpretation. Is fairly easy to follow.

Demonstrates an

inconsistent ability to

communicate clearly.

Some creativity, but may

lack accuracy or clarity.

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Demonstrates serious

misconceptions.

Rendering of elements is unclear or

confused.

Demonstrates a weak

ability to communicate

clearly.

Demonstrates little or no genuine effort to be

creative.

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