The Outsiders

This unit of work allows you to teach The Outsiders in a way that it relevant and engaging for the students. It works well with mid to high ability KS3 students, and could serve as a basic introduction to the English Literature AQA exam. It comes fully resourced with PowerPoints, worksheets, contextual information, IWB activities, links to Robert Frost and opportunities for creative writing. The page numbers refer to the Puffin Edition. Each lesson focuses on a different chapter and aspect of the novel.

Lesson 1: Gang culture
Lesson 2: How Hinton creates character
Lesson 3: Hinton’s use of stereotypes
Lesson 4: How writers build tension
Lesson 5: The Socs and The Greasers
Lesson 6: Making your writing more exciting
Lesson 7: Narrative perspective
Lesson 8: Robert Frost “Nothing Gold Can Stay”
Lesson 9: Analysing the character of Ponyboy
Lesson 10: Writing a newspaper article
Lesson 11: Dual narratives
Lesson 12: Use of foreshadowing to build tension
Lesson 13: Building tension in “The Rumble”
Lesson 14: Character foils: Jonny and Dally
Lesson 15: Analysing the character of Ponyboy
Lesson 16: Formal speeches in The Courtroom