pdf, 184.46 KB
pdf, 184.46 KB

Immerse your students in the unsettling small-town world of Shirley Jackson’s The Possibility of Evil with this set of imaginative, classroom-ready creative activities. These tasks are designed to deepen understanding of key themes—morality, secrecy, hypocrisy, and appearance versus reality—while encouraging empathy, critical thinking, and independent interpretation.

Perfect for KS4 English Literature, this flexible resource fits seamlessly into units on American short fiction, Gothic elements, or the psychology of everyday life. It invites students to explore the contrast between Pleasant Street’s polite façade and the quiet malice lurking beneath.

Students can choose from a range of creative tasks, including:
★ Filming a short TikTok-style review sharing personal responses to the story
★ Recording a podcast debating Miss Strangeworth’s morality and intentions
★ Creating a graphic novel adaptation of key scenes
★ Designing a symbolic rose garden to represent key events and themes
★ Creating set and costume designs for two contrasting scenes
★ Writing a five-minute stage play capturing the story’s turning points
★ Producing a character collage contrasting public image and private identity
★ Writing a sensational newspaper article about the destruction of the roses
★ Curating a movie-style soundtrack to reflect tone and mood shifts

Why use this resource?
✔ Encourages close reading through creative, symbolic interpretation
✔ Provides discussion-rich alternatives to essay-based analysis
✔ Supports a variety of learning styles and abilities
✔ Ideal for literature, Gothic fiction, or American short story lessons

Download today to help your students explore one of Shirley Jackson’s most morally complex and quietly disturbing short stories through imaginative, student-led responses that bring tone, character, and social critique into focus.

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A bundle is a package of resources grouped together to teach a particular topic, or a series of lessons, in one place.

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The Possibility of Evil Activities and Teaching Resources Bundle

Support your students in exploring the moral complexity and unsettling atmosphere of Shirley Jackson’s The Possibility of Evil with this all-in-one teaching bundle. Designed to promote close reading, critical thinking, and creative engagement, this resource pack offers a wide range of interactive and analytical activities to help students examine the story’s tone, characterisation, and lasting impact. Packed with revision tools, discussion prompts, and imaginative tasks, this bundle deepens students’ understanding of key themes including hidden malice, the façade of respectability, secrecy, hypocrisy, and the tension between public image and private behaviour. This bundle includes: ✔ The Possibility of Evil Creative Writing Prompts – Encourage imaginative and analytical responses linked to the story’s central ideas ✔ The Possibility of Evil Word Search – Reinforce key vocabulary in an accessible, engaging way ✔ The Possibility of Evil Crossword Puzzle – Consolidate knowledge through clue-based revision ✔ The Possibility of Evil Creative Post-Reading Tasks – A choice of nine activities, from podcast scripts to symbolic collages ✔ The Possibility of Evil Roll the Dice Discussion Board – Promote thoughtful classroom dialogue through student-led questions ✔ The Possibility of Evil Bingo Revision Game – A fast-paced, interactive way to review character, theme, and symbolism ✔ The Possibility of Evil Essay Questions – 15 analytical prompts exploring narrative technique, context, and deeper meaning Why choose this bundle? ✔ Versatile – Suitable for introducing, exploring, or revising the text ✔ Engaging – A variety of tasks to suit different learning styles and abilities ✔ Time-Saving – Ready-to-use printables requiring minimal preparation Perfect for: ✔ KS4 English Literature ✔ American short story study or gothic elements ✔ Cover lessons or homework ✔ Revision and exam preparation Download today and guide your students through one of Shirley Jackson’s most morally complex and quietly disturbing short stories.

£3.00

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