It has been a busy few weeks in the realm of engaging students with reading. Our Year 6 Summer Reading Challenge has drawn to a close (with students responding creatively to the novel they read over the 6 weeks), Open Evening in the school library (where students added their favourite books to our shelfie display), Continue reading "Reading for Pleasure: What is It?"
A long time has passed since my last blog post: too long! I have almost forgotten the joy of writing these. But in that time I have been working on another project (watch this space), as well as some resources for students: my Macbeth revision videos are now available here and my updated Othello teaching Continue reading "Reading for Pleasure: Inspiring Older Students"
Reflecting on my reading over the past year, I have found that I have been drawn to a considerable amount of historical fiction, most of which takes the lives of marginalised women as a starting point. Here are my top recommendations in this genre as usual, in no particular order. The Maiden by Kate Continue reading "Historical fiction reading recommendations (Summer 2024)"
Anyone who follows me on Twitter/X or who has spoken to me about reading knows that I find non-fiction tricky to read. The reason for this is that I need a strong narrative to drive the book forward, and I quickly get bogged down by the level of detail in non-fiction. Will I need to Continue reading "Non-Fiction Reading Recommendations (Summer 2024)"
When I started my teacher training, my PGCE tutor recommended that I read more Young Adult fiction. Having graduated from children s books to fantasy (mainly Tolkien) to books for grown ups , I almost completely skipped the YA genre in my teenage years. Consequently, I was unaware of the wealth of absolute brilliance written for young Continue reading "Young Adult Fiction: Recommendations (Summer…
Stevenson first introduces Dr Hastie Lanyon when Utterson goes to seek his help. Lanyon is described as a “hearty, healthy, dapper, red-faced gentleman… [with] a boisterous and decided manner”. Here, Stevenson is at pains to emphasise Lanyon’s energy and enthusiasm for life, as well as his “decided” (determined, definite) opinions about both friendship and science. Continue reading "Jekyll and…
It might be surprising that a novel entitled The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde begins with a description of an entirely different character: Mr Utterson. Stevenson places Utterson in the position of the detective, whose task is to gather knowledge relating to the mystery of Jekyll and Hyde – and who guides Continue reading "Jekyll and Hyde Character Analysis 3: Mr Utterson"
Stevenson introduces Hyde through Enfield’s description of the trampling of the young girl. Enfield recalls that Hyde was “like some damned Juggernaut” – a simile which reinforces his strength, violence, and inhumane callousness – going on to say that he “trampled calmly over the child’s body”. The juxtaposition of Hyde’s attack and the girl’s innocence Continue reading "Jekyll and Hyde Character…
In a novel entitled The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, it may seem strange that Jekyll is introduced fairly far into the text: this allows Stevenson to build tension and mystery around the novel’s protagonist. When Jekyll is introduced, he is presented as a wealthy and educated gentleman who is clearly hiding Continue reading "Jekyll and Hyde Character Analysis 1: Dr Jekyll"
At the start of the play, Shakespeare parallels Macbeth and Banquo. Both are courageous warriors responsible for winning the battles against Ireland and Norway, and both are described in Act 1 Scene 2 as fearsome animals (“eagles” and like a “lion”). Duncan rewards both men for their bravery, making Macbeth Thane of Cawdor and telling Continue reading "Macbeth Character Analysis 7: Banquo"