‘Great Expectations’ Unit Overview KS4

This unit covers study of ‘Great Expectations’ in 20 lessons. It looks at key chapters of the novel and guides students towards understanding of characters, relationships, plot and language. However, it is important
to note that not all chapters are covered in this unit; it is expected that students will read the entire novel themselves alongside this study.

Lesson Numbers Lesson Name Notes

1 Chapter One Lesson Pack Copies of the text studied, complete with glossaries, are provided with
each lesson.
2 Chapter Two Lesson Pack
Other useful resources:
3 Chapter Eight Lesson Pack
Great Expectations Character Cards Pack
4 Chapter 16 Lesson Pack
Great Expectations Character Revision Lesson Pack
5 Chapters 18 and 19 Lesson Pack
Great Expectations Display Pack
6 Chapter 22 Lesson Pack
Great Expectations Key Quotations Pack
7 Chapter 25 Lesson Pack
Great Expectations Lesson Pack - Context
8 Chapter 26 Lesson Pack
Great Expectations Lesson Pack - Key Themes
9 Chapter 29 Lesson Pack
Great Expectations Mini Exam Pack
10 Chapter 35 Lesson Pack
Great Expectations Plot Activity Pack
11 Chapter 38 Lesson Pack

12 Chapter 39 Lesson Pack

13 Chapter 42 Lesson Pack

14 Chapter 44 Lesson Pack

15 Chapter 49 Lesson Pack

16 Chapter 53 Lesson Pack

17 Chapter 54 Lesson Pack

18 Chapter 56 Lesson Pack

19 Chapter 57and 58 Lesson Pack

20 Chapter 59 Lesson Pack

Page 1 of 11
‘Great Expectations’ Lesson Pack 1: Chapter One Lesson Pack
Included in this Pack Learning Objectives Topics Covered Resources
Briefing Sheet To form first impressions of the characters and • The setting in Chapter One Lesson Pack
Chapter One – First Impressions PowerPoint setting in Chapter One of ‘Great Expectations’ • First impressions of the convict Exercise books
Convict Activity Cards
Differentiated Convict Activity Sheet
Differentiated Text – Setting
Pip Activity Cards
Differentiated Pip Activity Sheet
Pip Description Hotspot
Teaching Ideas
Text National Curriculum Aims Main Pupil Activities Notes
• Understanding how Dickens creates an
atmospheric setting in Chapter One of the novel
• Forming first impressions of the characters of Pip
and the convict, based on evidence in the text
• Consolidating ideas on character and setting in
Chapter One

‘Great Expectations’ Lesson Pack 2: Chapter Two Lesson Pack

Included in this Pack Learning Objectives Topics Covered Resources
Differentiated Comprehension Questions Reading comprehension lesson • Events in Chapter Two Lesson Pack
Vocabulary Activity Sheet Exercise books
Text

National Curriculum Aims Main Pupil Activities Notes

• Reading Chapter Two
• Answering questions about characters and
events in the chapter

Page 2 of 11
‘Great Expectations’ Lesson Pack 3: Chapter Eight Lesson Pack
Included in this Pack Learning Objectives Topics Covered Resources
Chapter Eight PowerPoint To identify the ways in which Dickens creates • First impressions of Estella Lesson Pack
Activity Sheet a sinister atmosphere in Chapter Eight of ‘Great • First impressions of Miss Havisham Exercise books
Differentiated Analysis Sheet Expectations’ • Pip’s vision at Satis House
Mini Essay Plan
Teaching Ideas
Text 1
Text 2
Text 3
Text 4
Twenty Words National Curriculum Aims Main Pupil Activities Notes
• Reading and understanding Chapter Eight of
the novel
• Identifying ways in which the setting of the
chapter is sinister
• Identifying ways in which the character of Miss
Havisham is sinister
• Writing a mini-essay explaining the ways in
which the chapter is sinister

‘Great Expectations’ Lesson Pack 4: Chapter 16 Lesson Pack

Included in this Pack Learning Objectives Topics Covered Resources
• Chapter 16 PowerPoint To analyse the ways in which Dickens presents • The attack on Mrs Joe Lesson Pack
• Character Clues Sheet the attack on Mrs Joe in Chapter 16 of ‘Great • The effects of the attack Exercise books
• Medical Report Expectations’
• Teaching Ideas
• Text 1
• Text 2
• Who Dunnit Sheet

National Curriculum Aims Main Pupil Activities Notes

• Reading and understanding the circumstances
around the attack on Mrs Joe
• Analysing how Dickens creates sympathy for her
character after the attack
• Consolidating the facts surrounding the attack
on Mrs Joe

Page 3 of 11
‘Great Expectations’ Lesson Pack 5: Chapter 18 and 19 Lesson Pack
Included in this Pack Learning Objectives Topics Covered Resources
Chapters 18 and 19 PowerPoint To consider how Pip’s character changes with his • Pip’s news of his great expectations Lesson Pack
Hot Seating Sheet change in fortunes • Reactions to Pip’s news Exercise books
Hot Seating Wordbank
Question Cards
Quotations Sheet Teaching Ideas
Chapter 18 Differentiated Text
Chapter 19 Differentiated Text

National Curriculum Aims Main Pupil Activities Notes

• Evaluating what Pip’s change in fortunes means
for his character and the novel’s plot
• Carefully reading extracts from Chapters 18 and
19, highlighting words and phrases relevant to
Pip’s character
• Giving convincing answers in the character of
Pip during hot seating

‘Great Expectations’ Lesson Pack 6: Chapter 22 Lesson Pack

Included in this Pack Learning Objectives Topics Covered Resources
Chapter 22 PowerPoint To consider the character of Herbert Pocket and • First impressions of Herbert Pocket Lesson Pack
Character Sheet the new information about Miss Havisham • Miss Havisham’s back story Exercise books
Herbert Pocket Acrostic
Miss Havisham Acrostic
Storyboard
Teaching Ideas
Text 1
Text 2
Text 2 Glossary
Vocab Hunt Sheet National Curriculum Aims Main Pupil Activities Notes
• Reading and understanding both extracts from
Chapter 22 of ‘Great Expectations’
• Identifying information in the text about the
character of Herbert Pocket
• Assimilating and summarise the story of Miss
Havisham

Page 4 of 11
‘Great Expectations’ Lesson Pack 7: Chapter 25 Lesson Pack
Included in this Pack Learning Objectives Topics Covered Resources
Chapter 25 PowerPoint To consider how Dickens uses Wemmick’s house • Wemmick’s house and family Lesson Pack
First Impressions Activity Sheet to reflect his character • Wemmick’s transformation between home and Exercise books
Teaching Ideas office
Text 1
Text 2
Top Ten Activity Sheet

National Curriculum Aims Main Pupil Activities Notes

• Reading and understanding extracts from
Chapter 25 of ‘Great Expectations’
• Identifying ways in which Dickens shows us
aspects of Wemmick’s character through his house
• Creating either an imaginative or analytical
response to the text, using evidence

‘Great Expectations’ Lesson Pack 8: Chapter 26 Lesson Pack

Included in this Pack Learning Objectives Topics Covered Resources
Chapter 26 PowerPoint To form impressions of key characters through • Mr Jaggers’ home Lesson Pack
Impressions of Bentley Drummle Differentiated close textual analysis • The characters of Molly, Bentley Drummle and Exercise books
Activity Sheet Mr Jaggers
Impressions of Molly Differentiated Activity Sheet • How a home can reflect a character
Impressions of Mr Jaggers Differentiated Activity
Sheet
Teaching Ideas
Text 1
Text 2
Venn Diagram Activity Sheet National Curriculum Aims Main Pupil Activities Notes
• Reading and understanding extracts from
Chapter 26
• Identifying ways in which Dickens shows us aspects
of Mr Jaggers’ character through his house
• Analysing how the characters of Molly, Mr
Jaggers and Drummle are presented
• Comparing the houses of Mr Jaggers and
Wemmick

Page 5 of 11
‘Great Expectations’ Lesson Pack 9: Chapter 29 Lesson Pack
Included in this Pack
Chapter 29 PowerPoint
Estella Character Outline
Hot Seating Question Cards
Love is… Activity Sheet
Miss Havisham Character Outline
Pip Character Outline
Teaching Ideas
Text 3
Texts 1 and 2
‘Great Expectations’ Lesson Pack 10: Chapter 35 Lesson Pack
Included in this Pack
Chapter 35 PowerPoint
Character Pictures
Mrs Joe’s Eulogy Activity Sheet
Teaching Ideas
Text 1
Text 2
Thought Bubbles Activity Sheet
Learning Objectives Topics Covered Resources
To analyse the motivations of three characters in • Traditional/conventional ideals of romantic love Lesson Pack
Chapter 29 of the novel • Extracts from Chapter 29 Exercise Books
• Miss Havisham, Pip and Estella character
development
National Curriculum Aims Main Pupil Activities Notes
• Reading extracts from Chapter 29
• Evaluating characters (Pip, Estella, Miss Havisham)
• Hot seating characters (Pip, Estella, Miss Havisham)
Learning Objectives Topics Covered Resources
To analyse the characters of Pip and Biddy in • Extracts from Chapter 35 Lesson Pack
Chapter 35 • Victorian funeral practices Whiteboard
• The relationship between Pip and Biddy Sticky notes
National Curriculum Aims Main Pupil Activities Notes
• Read and understand extracts from Chapter 35
of ‘Great Expectations’
• Apply knowledge of Victorian funeral practices
to understanding the chapter
• Analyse the behaviour of Pip and Biddy in the
chapter
Page 6 of 11
‘Great Expectations’ Lesson Pack 11: Chapter 38 Lesson Pack
Included in this Pack Learning Objectives Topics Covered Resources
Chapter 38 PowerPoint To evaluate the emotions of three key characters • Extracts from Chapter 38 Lesson Pack
Estella and Miss Havisham Quotation Sheet in Chapter 38 of the novel • The relationship between Estella and Pip, Miss Whiteboard
Sharp Words Planning Sheet Havisham and Bentley Drummle Sticky notes
Teaching Ideas
Text 1
Text 2

National Curriculum Aims Main Pupil Activities Notes

• Read and understand extracts from Chapter 38
of ‘Great Expectations’
• Predict the content and outcome of a
conversation between Miss Havisham and Estella
• Evaluate the characters of Miss Havisham,
Estella and Pip
• Analyse closely a paragraph from the end of the
chapter

‘Great Expectations’ Lesson Pack 12: Chapter 39 Lesson Pack

Included in this Pack Learning Objectives Topics Covered Resources
Chapter 39 PowerPoint To analyse how Dickens uses language, plot and • Extracts from Chapter 39 Lesson Pack
Pathetic Fallacy Activity Sheet HA characters to create tension and suspense in • Pathetic Fallacy Whiteboard
Pathetic Fallacy Activity Sheet LA Chapter 39 • The revelation about the source of Pip’s fortune Sticky notes
Pip’s Head Activity Sheet
Teaching Ideas
Text 1 HA
Text 1 LA
Text 1 Question Cards
Text 2
National Curriculum Aims Main Pupil Activities Notes
• Identifying the use of Pathetic Fallacy in
Chapter 39
• Analysing how tension and atmosphere is
created in an extract from the chapter
• Evaluating the plot implications of the revelation
in the chapter

Page 7 of 11
‘Great Expectations’ Lesson Pack 13: Chapter 42 Lesson Pack
Included in this Pack Learning Objectives Topics Covered Resources
Differentiated Comprehension Questions Reading comprehension lesson • Events in Chapter 42 Lesson Pack
Text Exercise Books
Vocabulary Activity Sheet

National Curriculum Aims Main Pupil Activities Notes

• Reading Chapter 42
• Answering questions about characters and
events in the chapter

‘Great Expectations’ Lesson Pack 14: Chapter 44 Lesson Pack

Included in this Pack Learning Objectives Topics Covered Resources
Chapter 44 Estella Activity Sheet To evaluate the character development in Chapter • Extracts from Chapter 44 Lesson Pack
Chapter 44 Estella and Miss Havisham Activity 44 of the novel • Pip’s concerns and motivations Whiteboard
Sheet • Pip’s speech to Estella and how it is effective Exercise Books
Chapter 44 Inside Their Heads Activity Sheet
Chapter 44 Pip’s Passion Activity Sheet
Chapter 44 PowerPoint
Chapter 44 Text
Teaching Ideas
Text 1
Text 2 National Curriculum Aims Main Pupil Activities Notes
• Identifying Pip’s motivations for visiting Satis
House
• Reading and understanding Chapter 44 of the
novel
• Evaluating the characters of Pip, Estella and Miss
Havisham in the chapter

Page 8 of 11
‘Great Expectations’ Lesson Pack 15: Chapter 49 Lesson Pack
Included in this Pack Learning Objectives Topics Covered Resources
Chapter 49 Full Text To analyse events in Chapter 49 of the novel • Pip’s reasons for visiting Miss Havisham Lesson Pack
Chapter 49 OMG Activity Sheet • Pip’s exchange with Miss Havisham Whiteboard
Chapter 49 PowerPoint • Pip’s vision at Satis House Exercise Books
Chapter 49 Recap Cloze Activity Sheet • Miss Havisham’s burning
Chapter 49 Recap Cloze Go Respond
Chapter 49 Text 1
Chapter 49 Text 2
Chapter 49 Text 3
Teaching Ideas
National Curriculum Aims Main Pupil Activities Notes
• Recapping on events from previous recent
chapters of the novel
• Making predictions about events in Chapter 49
• Analysing how Dickens creates drama with
events in Chapter 49

‘Great Expectations’ Lesson Pack 16: Chapter 53 Lesson Pack

Included in this Pack Learning Objectives Topics Covered Resources
Chapter 53 Full Text To understand plot developments in Chapter 53 • Orlick’s letter to Pip Lesson Pack
Chapter 53 Horror Setting Activity Sheet of the novel • Conventions of the horror genre Whiteboard
Chapter 53 Pip and Orlick Activity Sheet • Orlick’s motivation Exercise Books
Chapter 53 PowerPoint • Pip’s rescue
Chapter 53 Text 1
Chapter 53 Text 2
Chapter 53 Text 3
Teaching Ideas

National Curriculum Aims Main Pupil Activities Notes

• Making predictions about events in Chapter 53 Key Term: convention
• Identifying the motives of a key character in the
chapter
• Summarising the events of the chapter

Page 9 of 11
‘Great Expectations’ Lesson Pack 17: Chapter 54 Lesson Pack
Included in this Pack Learning Objectives Topics Covered Resources
Chapter 54 Abridged Text To dramatise a key scene from the novel • The plan to smuggle Magwitch out of the country Lesson Pack
Chapter 54 Glossary • Dramatic recreations of events Whiteboard
Chapter 54 Plot Activity Cards Exercise Books
Chapter 54 Plot Cards
Chapter 54 PowerPoint
Chapter 54 Story Map
Teaching Ideas

National Curriculum Aims Main Pupil Activities Notes

• Understanding the sequence of events in
Chapter 54
• Creating a dramatic recreation of events in the
chapter
• Evaluating the impact on the characters involved
in the scene

‘Great Expectations’ Lesson Pack 18: Chapter 56 Lesson Pack

Included in this Pack Learning Objectives Topics Covered Resources
Chapter 56 Activity Sheet To consider and discuss the life and death of Abel • Herbert’s departure Lesson Pack
Chapter 56 PowerPoint Magwitch • Wemmick’s wedding Whiteboard
Chapter 56 Text 1 • Magwitch’s sentence and imprisonment Exercise books
Chapter 56 Text 2 • Magwitch’s decline
Teaching Ideas

National Curriculum Aims Main Pupil Activities Notes

• Reading and understanding events in Chapter 56
• Analysing the ways Dickens creates a sense of
pathos at the end of the chapter
• Writing an obituary for Abel Magwitch

Page 10 of 11
‘Great Expectations’ Lesson Pack 19: Chapter 57 and 58 Lesson Pack
Included in this Pack Learning Objectives Topics Covered Resources
• Chapters 57 and 58 PowerPoint To evaluate how Pip’s character has developed • Pip’s collapse Lesson Pack
• Chapter 58 Happy News Activity Sheet over the course of the novel • Miss Havisham’s will Whiteboard
• Chapter 57 Miss Havisham’s Will Activity Sheet • Joe and Biddy’s wedding Exercise Books
• Chapter 57 Text 1
• Chapter 57 Text 2
• Chapter 58 Text 1
• Chapter 58 Text 2
• Teaching Ideas

National Curriculum Aims Main Pupil Activities Notes

• Understanding the sequence of events in
Chapter 54
• Creating a dramatic recreation of events in the
chapter
• Evaluating the impact on the characters involved
in the scene

‘Great Expectations’ Lesson Pack 20: Chapter 59 Lesson Pack

Included in this Pack Learning Objectives Topics Covered Resources
Chapter 59 Book Jacket Activity Sheet To analyse the end of the novel • Pip’s reunion with Joe and Biddy Lesson Pack
Chapter 59 Estella’s Changed Activity Sheet • Pip’s reunion with Estella Whiteboard
Chapter 59 The End Activity Sheet • The last line of the novel Exercise books
Chapter 59 Full Text Colour pens or pencils
Chapter 59 PowerPoint
Chapter 59 Text 1
Chapter 59 Text 2
Teaching Ideas

National Curriculum Aims Main Pupil Activities Notes

• Reading and understanding events in Chapter 59
• Evaluating how the character of Estella has
changed
• Analysing the language and techniques used by
Dickens at the end of the novel

Page 11 of 11