Small things like these Silence Complicity and Moral responsibility

This lesson follows a clear starter–main–plenary structure. The starter uses a thought-provoking statement to encourage discussion around silence and moral responsibility.

The main lesson focuses on the close study of a key extract, supported by annotation tasks and progressive comprehension questions that move from understanding to inference and evaluation. Students explore key quotations, develop analytical responses, and make explicit links to wider social and historical context, particularly the culture of silence in Irish society. Key notes on significant scenes are used to support understanding of how the theme develops across the text.

The plenary allows students to reflect on the lesson’s main ideas, consolidate learning, and demonstrate understanding of the theme and author’s message.