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Biography and autobiography

Lesson Plan

1. Starter: Identifying biographies and autobiographies - Duration 5-10 mins

 

Episode

Learning Objectives

Resources
  • Introduce students to the terms biography and autobiography.
  • Student Worksheet 1 contains a selection of sentences from biographical and autobiographical books. In pairs, students should attempt to identify which category each falls into as quickly as possible. A class discussion of how they reached their conclusion follows.
  • Understand the terms 'biography' and 'autobiography'.
  • Use knowledge of grammar and language variation to classify texts.
  • Student Worksheet 1
  • Slides

Teacher Notes: 1. Starter: Identifying biographies and autobiographiesTeacher Notes: 1. Starter: Identifying biographies and autobiographies

2. Analysing biographies and autobiographies - Duration 20 mins

 

Episode

Learning Objectives

Resources
  • Working on their own, students read the extracts from the autobiography on Student Worksheet 2 (extract from Bear Grylls' autobiography Facing Up: A Remarkable Journey to the Summit of Everest ) and the biography 'Because It's There: The Life of George Mallory by Dudley Green'.
  • Using the Person and Viewpoint Chart supplied on Student Worksheet 2, students read both extracts and highlight the devices used to show the grammatical person in each passage.
  • Class discussion of the distinctive features of each to follow.
  • Understand the system of grammatical person and its importance in determining viewpoint.
  • Understand how technique, structure, forms and styles vary.
  • Compare texts, looking at style, theme and language and identify contrasts.
  • Student Worksheet 2

Teacher Notes: 2. Analysing biographies and autobiographiesTeacher Notes: 2. Analysing biographies and autobiographies

3. Using information to develop a written piece - Duration 25 mins

 

Episode

Learning Objectives

Resources
  • Using the information on Student Worksheet 3, which gives them key information about a sequence of events involving MOD mountain rescue, students write either a biographical or autobiographical account.
  • Students then work in pairs to discuss the similarities and differences between their pieces of writing.
  • Write to imagine and explore.
  • Write to inform, explain and describe.
  • Analyse critically, your own and others writing.
  • Student Worksheet 3-4
  • Slides
  • Video: Introduction to the RAF Mountain Rescue Team

Teacher Notes: 3. Using information to develop a written pieceTeacher Notes: 3. Using information to develop a written piece

4. Plenary: Biography and autobiography: a summary - Duration 5 mins

 

Episode

Learning Objectives

Resources
  • Recap on distinguishing styles of biographies and autobiographies, asking students questions relating to first, second and third person viewpoints.
  • Recap on the lesson.
  • None required

Teacher Notes: 4. Plenary: Biography and autobiography: a summaryTeacher Notes: 4. Plenary: Biography and autobiography: a summary

5. Homework / independent work - Duration n/a mins

 

Episode

Learning Objectives

Resources
  • Students answer multiple choice quiz - see Lesson Resources.
  • To recap on topic.
  • Multiple choice interactive exercise

Teacher Notes: 5. Homework / independent workTeacher Notes: 5. Homework / independent work

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