Title: Exploring “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” - A Lesson Plan for Year 8
Introduction: In this lesson, students will delve into the powerful story of “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” by John Boyne. This novel explores themes of friendship, empathy, and the Holocaust through the eyes of two young boys. By analyzing the plot structure using Freytag’s Pyramid, students will gain a deeper understanding of the story’s impact and the historical context it represents.
Lesson Outline: 1. Engage (10 minutes) a. Begin the lesson by asking students if they have heard of or read “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.” Encourage them to share any prior knowledge or impressions they may have. b. Show a short video clip or book trailer related to the novel to pique students’ interest. (Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ypMp0s5Hiw)
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Introduce Freytag’s Pyramid (10 minutes) a. Explain to students that Freytag’s Pyramid is a visual representation of the structure of a story, including its exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. b. Display a visual representation of Freytag’s Pyramid and briefly explain each stage. c. Provide examples of well-known stories that follow this structure (e.g., “Romeo and Juliet,” “Harry Potter,” etc.).
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Analyze “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” using Freytag’s Pyramid (20 minutes) a. Distribute a worksheet with a simplified version of Freytag’s Pyramid, specifically designed for “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.” b. Instruct students to read the novel’s summary or a chapter summary and identify the key events that correspond to each stage of the pyramid. c. Encourage students to discuss their findings in small groups and share their insights with the whole class.
- Questioning and Discussion (15 minutes)
a. Engage students in a guided discussion by asking open-ended questions related to the story’s plot structure and themes. Sample questions:
- How does the exposition of the story set the stage for the events to come?
- What are some significant moments in the rising action that build tension and suspense?
- How does the climax of the story impact the characters and the overall narrative?
- What are the consequences and resolutions explored in the falling action and resolution? b. Encourage students to support their answers with evidence from the text.
- Assessment (15 minutes) a. Assign students a short writing task where they analyze the impact of Freytag’s Pyramid on the story’s structure and their understanding of “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.” b. Provide a rubric or clear criteria for assessment, focusing on their ability to identify and explain the key events in each stage of the pyramid and their overall analysis.
Differentiation: To cater to different learning styles and abilities, consider the following differentiation strategies: - Provide additional support for struggling students by offering a simplified version of the novel or providing guided questions to help them identify key events. - Encourage advanced students to explore the historical context of the Holocaust further and its impact on the story’s plot and themes. - Offer visual aids, such as graphic organizers or charts, to assist visual learners in understanding Freytag’s Pyramid.
Additional Resources: 1. Worksheet: “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” Freytag’s Pyramid Analysis - https://www.example.com/worksheets/freytags-pyramid-analysis.pdf 2. Video: “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” Official Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ypMp0s5Hiw 3. Novel Summary: “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” - https://www.example.com/novel-summaries/the-boy-in-the-striped-pyjamas-summary