Lesson Plan

Lesson 1 Introduction of Book

Lesson 2 Chapters 1- 4

Lesson 3 Chapters 5 – 8

Lesson 4 Chapters 9 – 12

Lesson 5 Chapters 13 – 16

Lesson 6 Chapters 17 and 18

Post Reading Project

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Lesson One – Introduction of Book

1. Look at the cover of the book and write down what you think the book might be about?…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. Read the summary on the back cover.Who is the main character?...............................................................What do you think he is feeling about his future?..............................…………………………………………………………………………......……………………………………………………………………………..Where and when do you think the story takes place?.......................……………………………………………………………………………..

` Who are the group who pose a threat to him?...................................……………………………………………………………………………..“..he will stand out only enough to fit in”. What do you think Elliot means by saying this?.......................................................................……………………………………………………………………………..

3. Watch the clip. You Tube: Effects of teenage bullying.Discuss in class:What do you think about what you have seen?What are your opinions about bullying at school?

4. Fill in the questionnaire about bullying. Fill in the boxes do not write your name on the paper. This questionnaire will be completed by all 3rd /4th year students.

5. Read the prologue in class. The prologue tells us what happens before the story begins.Discuss in groups: a) Do you think Elliot was right to try and stand up to the bully?b) If not, what do you think he should have done?c) How would you describe Kevin Cunningham?

HOMEWORK: Read Chapters 1 - 4

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Lesson two - Chapters 1 – 4

1. Elliot has moved to a new house and is starting a new school.How do you think he feels about these changes?……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...What word would you use to describe his feelings about the future?……………………………………………..

2. Do you think Elliot’s concerns about his appearance are justified?……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...Why is appearance an important factor to fitting in at school?……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...What is the first step in Elliot’s reinvention of himself?……………………………………………………………………………...

3. Describe the difference in Elliot’s relationship with his dad before and after the attack.……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...

4. In what way is his relationship different with his mum? and how is that shown in the story?……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...

How important is her role in the family?……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...

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5. What is your opinion on how the school reacted to hearing aboutthe bullying? What do you think they should have done?……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...

6. Write down 3 adjectives to describe the new school and the oldschool.

NEW SCHOOL OLD SCHOOL

7. The first fifteen minutes at his new school are critical to Elliot, why do you think that is?……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...Describe how you think he if feeling at this time. (pg.17/18)

` ……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...

How would you rate his confidence level at the time?(underline answer) low average high

How would you rate his general happiness at this time very happy happy sad/miserable

8. Briefly describe the first signs of trouble at Holminster High anddescribe how this made Elliot feel.……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...

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Writing Activity:

Now that you have read the first few chapters, what do you think is going to happen next?How does the title of the book connect to the story so far?Write as many examples as possible of situations when someone might feel the need to “fit in”, or when they might feel self conscious or vulnerable.Do you think that people may try to act / speak / dress in a different way in order to be accepted in these situation?

HOMEWORK: READ CHAPTERS 5 – 8

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Lesson 3 - Chapters 5 – 8

1. ( pg. 36) “but he was already………………………….long made”

What does this sentence describe?……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...

Give 2 disadvantages and 2 advantages of starting school at a different time to the other students.

Advantage Disadvantage……………………….. ………………………………………………. ………………………………………………. ………………………

2. How important was it for Elliot to get noticed in the “right way”? andhow did he achieve that?……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...

Give three examples (from the book) of what being noticed in the “wrong way” could be.…………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………………………..

3. List 5 characteristics of students that might be bullied and 5characteristics of someone that is a bully.

Victim of bullying A bully

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4. Imagine you are one of these characters in the book.In groups of three (each student adopts one character) write in a few sentences how you feel at this stage of the story.

Elliot………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...Elliot’s Mum……………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...Baker (boy in the showers).....................................................................……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...

5. ( pg. 60) “…………he had crossed the line”What line had Elliot crossed and how did he feel about his actions?……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...

6. The name of the society is the Guardians.What does the word guardian mean? Is it a suitable name for them?.................................................................................................……………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………..What name do you think would suit this group?……………………………………………………………………………...

7. At the end of chapter 8 Richard ( a guardian) refers to a book as the basis for the Guardians. What book is it?....................................……………………………………………………………………………..What are the 3 reasons that he quotes as the reasons for the existence of the Guardians?……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...

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Creative Activity:

Design and make a poster that can be used within your own school.

The theme for the poster is Anti Bullying / Stop Bullying

Homework: Read chapters 9 – 12

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Lesson 4 - Chapters 9 – 12

1. Underline the emotions you think Elliot felt when he saw Ben at theswimming pool?

powerful guilty empathy pleasuresurprise pity irritation excitementcontrol panic uncomfortable embarrassment

2. What was it about Elliot’s behaviour that impressed the Guardians ?

Do you think this behaviour was the true Elliot? Why?……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...

3. Who observed Elliot and what were they called by the Guardians?……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...

4. Elliot could relate to how Ben felt. What do you think the reason was for this?……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...

Elliot felt uncomfortable being with Ben. Why?……………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………..

Ben felt uncomfortable being with Elliot. Why?……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...

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5. It becomes clear in chapter 10 that Ben and Elliot have some things in common.List 5 things.

………………………………… ……………………………………...………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………

6. Elliot describes how he has multiple personalities, how he changesto suit different situations.Describe a time that you or someone you know has pretended to be than you/they really are?

( example: being nice and friendly to someone you don’t really like because……..)

……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...

Discussion Activity:

In groups discuss the following a) and b).Make notes about your discussion which you can use to relate your finding / opinions to the class.

a) Do you think it is a good or a bad thing to not be yourself and topretend to be someone / something other than you are?

b) The headmaster questions Elliot about bullying at the school and is satisfied with the negative answer that he receives, similarly Mr Phillips accepts a quick explanation about the shower incident.

Do you think that teachers should be more aware of bullying or just not get involved and just teach in class?What do you think teachers should do?

Homework: Read chapters 13 – 16

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Lesson 5 Chapters 13 – 16

1. Elliot keeps reinventing himself, he changes who he is depending on the situation he is in or who he is with.List characteristics of the ‘different’ Elliots.

Elliot at hisold school

Elliot at Holminster High

Elliot with Ben

Elliot with Louise

Elliot withthe Guardians

2. Elliot’s teacher Mrs Davidson and his mom both try get Elliot to talk about his problems.Why do you think Elliot doesn’t take the opportunity to talk to someone?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. What is the danger of ‘wearing masks’ and how does this show itself in Elliot? (chapter 13)…………………………………………………………………………………………...…………………………………………………………………………………………...…………………………………………………………………………………………...…………………………………………………………………………………………...…………………………………………………………………………………………...

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4. When Ben was leading Elliot into the woods towards the Guardians meeting place Elliot panics.What is his biggest fear? How did you feel when you read this passage?……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...

5. Richard’s view of the book “1984” and Louise’s view differ. How?(pg. 71-73 / pg 143) ……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...

6. Why do you think Louise liked Elliot so much?……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...

7. When Louise rejects Elliot’s advances he is afraid that she will tell everyone at school. Explain why he might be afraid.

Complete the sentence: Elliot thinks………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...

Would you be afraid in the same circumstances? Why?……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...

8. Was Elliot’s choice of student to be punished fair?............................……………………………………………………………………………..

Why do you think he chose a fight in preference to other punishments?.....................................................................................……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...

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9. “you can’t kill me, I’m already dead” This phrase appears throughout the book. What does it mean?……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...

Internet Activity:

Search the internet for items about bullying and the consequences for those who are bullied.Collect information, film clips, news items……. for discussion in the class.Write a summary of what you have discovered.

Homework: Read Chapters 17 and 18

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Lesson 6 - Chapters 17 and 18

1. (page 174 – 179) What do we learn about Elliot’s family and his feelings towards his mum and dad in this section of the book?……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...

2. In your opinion, who is it easier to talk to about problems, friends, parents, teachers, family members, brothers etc………and why?……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...

3. In the last two pages of the book Elliot is thinking about things said to him by others and it gives him strength. Whose words inspirehim to take action?……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………...

4. What do you think is the main theme of the book?……………………………………………………………………………...

5. Together with your partner discuss how this story could haveended differently. Write a paragraph with your version of the end.

……………………………………………………………………………...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................…………………………………………………………………………………….

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…………………………………………………………………………………….

Drama Activity:

In groups of 6 write a short script about an incident of bullying. The short story should involve 5 members of your group.( The 6th member will beresponsible for filming)Act out your story, film it, and show the finished product to the class.( film length maximum 5 ninutes)

** Remember bullying can take many forms and although it should be realistic no one should be made to feel uncomfortable during this exercise.

Post Reading Project.

Anti Bullying Portfolio

Collect and analyse all the information from the Questionnaires.

Produce a Pi Chart showing the results

Include the written summary, details of bullying and its consequences.

Include the film produced by your group

Produce a strategy for combating bullying in your school(student monitors, an anonymous notification box, teacher counsellor,cctv, etc)

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Anti-bullying questionnarie for students

Please circle your answer. You can leave comments if you want to.

1. Have you ever been bullied?

yes no

2. If yes, how recently?

this week this monththis year previous years

3. Were you bullied by a group of people or someone on their own?

someone on their own a group

4. Were other people present to witness this?

yes no

5. Where did this happen?

classroomcorridordining roomon school groundson the way to/from schoolonline or mobile phonebike shedsother………………………………………………………………………..

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6. How were you bullied?

called names left out/ ignored

hit/kicked/punched threatened

sent nasty messages on phone or computer

personal property damaged personal property stolen

forced to do something you didn’t want to

had rumours spread about you

other……………………………………………………………

7. How did it make you feel?

sad angry

lonely scared

embarrassed

other…………………………………………………

8. Did you tell anyone? yes no

9. Who did you tell?

adult at school adult outside school

friend older boy or girl

brother or sister other………………………..

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10. Do you think the school takes bullying seriously?

yes no

11. What does the school do to stop bullying?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

12. Have you ever bullied anyone?

yes no

13 Have you ever witnessed anyone being bullied?

yes no

14. If yes, what did you do?

tried to help them

told someone

did nothing

other………………………………………………………………………..

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