The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

In this small group class, over 10 weeks we will explore the text of The Strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. 

Students will need their own copy of the text, and there is a reading commitment that requires students to read 1 chapter per week in advance of class to enable them to access the discussions / activities we will cover in session.


Session 1 of each week will form a discussion on the chapter that has been read. Students will be encouraged to highlight the key quotes from each chapter and discuss their relevance and importance to the plot and key themes. 
We will annotate key parts of the text as we go through these sessions, and this we be draw upon when we come onto the essay writing sessions towards the end of the unit.

These sessions will be informal and chatty - children will be encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas about what they have read. 

The second sessions of each week will be more formal - students will be required to listen to the 'teaching' of the text. I will use slides to support my teaching as we look at a variety of themes within the text.

Teaching sessions:
Week 1 - The importance of genre: We will look at different genres that were popular in 1886 and explore the the possibilities of which category Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde best 'fits'. 
We will also look at the historical background of the text and context of life when it was written.

Week 2 - Imagery and ideas in the text: looking at images Stevenson uses throughout the text to highlight themes. We will explore his use of vivid description and architectural devices to 'frame' some of the key images. 

Week 3 - Duality and the importance of this theme. We will look at the explicit and central example of duality between the 2 main characters, as well as some of the other, more subtle examples of this theme. We will explore the idea that all people have good and bad within them - an idea that is key to the novella.


Week 4 - Science and religion: We will look at the  central conflict of the text that revolves around the tension between science and the importance of religion in the 1800's.

Week 5 - Secrecy: We will explore this key theme and Dr Jekyll's deliberate concealment of the truth - as well as the more subtle examples of secrecy echoed throughout the text.

Week 6 - character review: We will take  a detailed look at each of the characters, building on understanding their importance in the development of the plot. We will look at the changes in each of the characters - and how this impacts the progression of the plot.

Week 7 - language: We will look at Stevenson's rich use of language and how form, structure and language impacts on the plot. We will look at the effect of voice, metaphors and other literary devices used in the writing of the text.

Week 8 & 9 - We will look at 'real exam essay questions' and explore a range of sample answers-  commenting on good areas and areas that need exploring more. Students will be encouraged to identify ways in which answers can be improved, and they will use their knowledge and understanding of the text to draw upon, using key quotes highlighted during our sessions.

Week 10 - An example essay question will be shared. Students will choose to work independently or as a group to answer the question. This will be an opportunity to draw together all of the things we have covered over the course.
As a teacher with over 25 years of experience, both in class and online, I will make sure each and every student is valued. Class will be a positive place where every though, idea and question is valued. I pride myself on ensuring every child leaves class feeling they have been listened to, any questions have been answered, learning intention has been successfully delivered and understood and that they have achieved. 

This class will be perfect for any budding reader who likes a challenging but exciting read. In the UK, it is perfect for anyone studying this text as GCSE, or worldwide it is a great example of a British Classic!! A genuinely astonishing read and great to explore in a small group.