A Christmas Carol - Introducing Scrooge - teaching resource

GCSE English Teaching Resources: A Christmas Carol – Introducing Scrooge

This engaging GCSE English Literature lesson introduces learners to Dickens’ presentation of Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. Designed for KS4 students, the resource includes an editable PowerPoint and differentiated activities to support a wide range of abilities.

The lesson begins with a Do Now starter task, where learners explore the biblical background of the name “Ebenezer” and consider how its meaning might influence readers’ perceptions of Scrooge. Higher-ability learners are also encouraged to reflect on the connotations of the surname “Scrooge” and what this reveals about Dickens’ intentions.

Learners then read from the beginning of the novella to the end of Dickens’ introduction to Scrooge, focusing on:

• What we learn about Scrooge’s character and attitudes

• What Dickens deliberately leaves unsaid about him

• How Scrooge might develop later in the story

The main activity asks learners to use one of three differentiated templates to design Scrooge’s Twitter profile page based on what they have learned. This creative task encourages students to analyse both surface-level information and deeper sub-textual meanings, enhancing their analytical and inferential skills. Teacher guidance is provided to support delivery.

The lesson concludes with a reflective plenary, where learners evaluate what they have discovered about Scrooge’s character and how Dickens establishes his role in the novella.

Perfect for classroom teaching, revision, or intervention, this resource helps students develop close-reading, inference, and critical analysis skills, supporting success in the GCSE English Literature exam.

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