The Darkness Out There

The Darkness Out There

English Reading Teaching Resource

‘The Darkness Out There’ is a nine lesson unit of work designed to teach Penelope Lively’s popular short story. ‘The Darkness Out There’ is included in the AQA GCSE English Anthology ‘Telling Tales’. Resources include a variety of lessons and activities ideal for helping pupils understand the plot, characters, themes and the author’s use of language. ‘The Darkness Out There’ also contains 15 worksheets which can be used alongside the PowerPoint presentation. Activities include:

• Group discussion work about plot, character and themes
• Comprehension and consolidation tasks - a Speaking & Listening task (Sandra’s telephone call) and a written task (Sandra’s diary/blog)
• Comparing and contrasting characters - making a Sandra and Kerry Venn diagram
• Analysing the character of Mrs. Rutter - first impressions and extended writing
• Exploring how characters change and transform
• Penelope Lively’s use of the Fairy Tale genre in The Darkness Out There
• Explore Lively’s use of darkness and light in The Darkness Out There
• Discussing themes - stereotypes and appearance and reality
• Language analysis - How Penelope Lively uses formal and informal language and how simile and metaphor are employed in ‘The Darkness Out There’

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click below to see more resources for KS3/4 short stories:

The Monkey’s Paw
The Red Room
The Landlady
My Polish Teacher’s Tie