Pre-Twentieth Century Literature at Key Stage Three

Short Stories - Year 8

"The Speckled Band" and "The Engineer' Thumb"

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Preparation

  1. Before starting either story, carry out a whole class brainstorm on all the pupils know about Sherlock Holmes - add anything that they do not know.
  2. Talk to the pupils about pre-C20th use of language:
  3. Historical context - see Re who is making the material to support this.
  4. Read the information on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
  5. I recommend that you do "The Speckled Band" first and " The Engineer's Thumb" second.

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"The Adventure of the Speckled Band"

Prediction exercises whilst reading the story

  1. After Miss Stones has given the facts (p.175)
  2. After Sherlock Holmes has inspected the rooms (p.183 " . . . dangers that threaten you.")
  3. After the horrendous scream (top of p. 187)

Activities

  1. Using the ideas prompted by the prediction exercises, pupils write the end of the story which shows how the death was caused, who is responsible and why. Two sides of an exercise book is enough.
  2. Read the end of the real story after reading selected pupils' endings out loud.

Additional Activities

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"The Engineer's Thumb"

This story starts differently from "The Speckled Band". The Engineer, Victor Hatherley, first goes to Dr. Watson for medical treatment.

More prediction exercises!

  1. After the engineer has told his story: " . . . I have told my story.")
  2. After the woman has warned him to go (p. 214 " . . . noiselessly as she had come.")
  3. After the engineer sees the press (p.216)
  4. Whilst Victor is stuck in the press (p.217 " . . . hope back to my heart.")

Activities

  1. Pick out the eight most important points in the story, list them, then pupils can produce a cartoon strip or storyboard for a film.
  2. Imagine the story is going to be made into a film. Design the poster for the film using a dramatic image. Name the stars, use appropriate lettering for the period.

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