Lamb to the slaughter

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Date:

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1. Read the first three pages and discuss these questions. For
those who want to listen as well, use this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpyVl3XKVls

1) Where does the story take place?

2) Who are the main characters introduced in the story?
a) What kind of person is Mary?
b) What kind of person is her husband?
3) What do you think Patrick (the husband) told Mary?
4) How do you think Mary will react? Why?

2. Read pages 4-6 and discuss these questions.

1) Did you expect this reaction from Mary? Why (not)?

2) What’s Mary’s reaction? Did you expect this reaction?
3) What do you think Mary’s plan is? How does the story foreshadow/indicate her plan?
4) What do you think will happen next?

3. Read the last pages and discuss these questions.

1) Explain what Mary’s plan was.

2) What’s the irony of the ending scene?
3) How did Mary change compared to the beginning of the story?
4) Did you expect this ending? Why (not)?
5) What’s the tone of the story?

4. Opinion
Write down your opinion of the story, include the following items:

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  What did you like about the story and why? Name at least 2 items.
 What didn’t you like about the story and why? Name at least 2 items.
 Was it fun to discover what happened?
 Would you read more short stories after reading this one? Why (not)?

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Done? Share your opinion with your group!

4.1 Watch a part of a video from ‘Lamb to the slaughter’ on YouTube, what is different here
compared to the book? 1:04-2:34 Video
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5. Creative assignment

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Option 1: Pretend you’re a news reporter and present the news of what
happened in the story.

 You write down the article in a separate Word document reporting on the story.
 Make sure the article has the typical elements (headline, introduction, paragraphs,
etc.).
 The ‘presentation’ should last 2-3 minutes.
 You can be creative, it shouldn’t be just one reporter while the rest watches. You can
switch reporters (one on the scene, others at the studio, etc.)
 Try to include all the events of the story.
 Bonus: You can also do interviews with people on the scene.

Option 2: Come up with an alternative ending and act it out.

 Come up with an alternative ending and write it down in a separate Word document.
 Think about all the aspects of the story that you want to change.
 Divide the roles in your group.
 Everyone should have at least 5 lines of dialogue.
 The play should last 2-3 minutes.
 Bonus: Create a background image on the PowerPoint.

Feedback:
 What did you like?

 What could be improved?

 Was the presentation/play fluent?

 What would you rate the presentation/play out of 10? Why?

Exit ticket

What did you like about this lesson? Write it down.

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What could have been better about this lesson? Write it down. (if possible)
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This lesson motivated me to read more short stories?

Agree neutral Disagree
Why?
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