1
Dickens’ Days
Curriculum with Unit Plan
Jodi Samsinak
2
Index
Title Page
Index
Curriculum Description
Goals of the Unit
Materials
Lesson 1 Webquest
Lesson 2 Anticipatory Set
Lesson 3 Reading A Christmas Carol
Lesson 4 Storyboard That
Lesson 5 Final Projects
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 3
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 10
Page 11
Page 12
3
Curriculum Description
Dickens’ Days is a Silver Dollar City “Student Exclusive” for grades 6th through 12th. This
curriculum, a supplement for the performance of A Christmas Carol, is designed to introduce
students to the world of Charles Dickens, his unforgettable characters, and his realistic vision of
Victorian London. Although the setting of A Christmas Carol takes place during the Christian
holiday of Christmas, its messages of charity and family are universal and appeal to everyone.
Students will research relevant historical material, read part of the novel, watch the live
performance, and evaluate the story of Ebenezer Scrooge in a memorable and exciting interactive
experience.
Goals of the Unit
1. Describe the critiques Dickens makes of his Victorian society.
2. Explain Scrooge’s journey from childlike schoolboy to irritable miser.
3. Identify the literary devices Dickens utilizes and how they enrich the story.
4. Compare and contrast the three ghosts and the effects they have on Scrooge.
5. Understand the essential role of children and family in the story.
6. Identify the major turning points that lead to Scrooge’s transformation.
Class Makeup
This unit plan is directed for students in grades 6-12 within a relatively varied socioeconomic
status. These lessons are designed for students with a variety of religious and ethnic
backgrounds. Each individual lesson is written and designed for a classroom size of 30 however
they are also flexible enough to accommodate more or less students.
Materials
You will need a computer with whiteboard and projector for this curriculum. Students will need
internet access.
4
Name_______________________________
Per._____
Lesson One – The Life and Times of Charles Dickens – Webquest (with Links)
Directions: Answer each of the following questions using the hyperlink in the question. Or, copy and paste
the link into your browser. You may need to look around on the page to find the answers. If you find that a link
does not work, you may use the internet to research your answer.
1. When was Charles Dickens born, and who were his parents?
http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/dickens/dickensbio1.html
2. At the age of twelve Charles was removed from school and sent here to help his
family.
http://charlesdickenspage.com/
3.
While working for the Morning Chronicle in 1834-36, Charles met his future
wife. Who was his wife and how many children did they have?
http://www.charlesdickensinfo.com/life/marriage/
4. One of Dickens’ most popular stories is A Christmas Carol. What date was this
published?
http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/dickens/xmas/pva63.html
5. A Christmas Carol was the first of five Christmas stories that Dickens published.
What was the title of the last Christmas story and when was that published?
http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/dickens/xmas/index.html
6. In what year do Charles and his wife decide to separate?
http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/dickens/dickensbio2.html
7. Dickens was a popular writer during the Victorian Age. The Victorian Age is
named after Queen Victoria who inherited the throne of Great Britain. How old was
she when she became the queen?
http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/Queen-Victoria/
8. Charles Dickens died on June 9, 1870. Where is he buried and who are some of
England’s other famous citizens that are buried at the same place? (Name at least
two others)
http://charlesdickenspage.com/
9. Today if you wanted to go and visit the Charles Dickens Museum, where would you
need to travel to see it? http://www.dickensmuseum.com/
5
Name______________________________________________
Per.________
Lesson Two –Anticipatory Set
Use any or all of the following activities before students attend the performance.
1. Talk About Christmas. Give students the worksheet to record their thoughts
about Christmas. Discuss with them that A Christmas Carol brought the joy
of Christmas to Britain and England.
2. Find out about the story. Give the students the handout and ask them to
record their responses. Engage in a discussion about their prior knowledge of
this story and others like it.
3. Explore Victorian London. View a short film and attached pictures depicting
life in Victorian London. Have students generate ideas about what they view.
Discuss.
4. Watch a film trailer. Students will compare / contrast three film trailers and
evaluate elements of each.
Name_______________________________
Per._____
6
Lesson Two –Talk About Christmas
Directions: Answer the questions in the chart below. Be prepared to discuss your
responses.
What does Christmas mean to
you?
How do people you know behave
at Christmas time as compared to
other times of the year? Are they
happier, friendlier, more giving, or
are they more stressed, angry, or
depressed? Explain.
Do you know anyone who does not
celebrate Christmas? What are
their reasons?
Do you think Christmas time can
be frustrating for some people?
Why or why not?
Name_______________________________________
Lesson Two –Think About the Story
Per.________
7
Directions: Answer the questions that follow. Be prepared to discuss.
1. Look at this picture of Ebenezer Scrooge. List
three adjectives (descriptive words) about him.
●
●
●
2. Do you think it is possible for people to change? Why do you believe this? Give a
specific example from your life to defend your answer.
3. Do you know of any other stories, movies, or books about characters who
change? List them and briefly describe the change.
Name_______________________________________
Per.________
8
Lesson Two – Explore Victorian London
Directions: View the following clip called “Old London Street Scenes.” Look at
the pictures that follow and answer the questions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=v5Ts_i164c
1. How did people live in London during
the Victorian Era? (1837-1901).
2. Describe what London looked like in
the Victorian Era.
3. How did people travel?
Name_______________________________
Per._____
Lesson Two – Comparing Film Trailers
9
Directions: In this lesson, you will view three film trailers and collect details from each one. You will be
watching the trailer from the 1938 Official Trailer, from the Disney version, and from Mickey Mouse.
1. Do you think you would like to watch this version? Why or why not? (A
Christmas Carol, 1938).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVop9seXSoQ
2. What do you think of this film? Would you like to watch it? Why or why
not? (Jim Carey’s A Christmas Carol).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ3lr3urgDU
3. How is Scrooge portrayed in this version?
(Mickey’s Christmas Carol).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByAINYDyFXs
4. Which of the three versions do you like best and why? Use at
least two details from the trailer to support your answer.
Name_______________________________
Per._____
Lesson Three – Reading A Christmas Carol
Visit the following site for the online version of A Christmas Carol.
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/46/46-h/46-h.htm
10
1. Choose ONE Stave to read. Record a summary of the Stave in the space provided.
2. Mix with your classmates and find someone who recorded a summary for each
additional Stave. Listen to their summary, and share yours as well.
3. Record a summary in each box.
Stave I: Marley’s Ghost
Stave II: The First of the Three Spirits
Stave III: The Second of the Three
Spirit
Stave IV: The Last of the Spirits
Stave IV: The End of It
Name_______________________________
Per._____
Lesson Four – Storyboard That!
Directions: After viewing A Christmas Carol, demonstrate your understanding of the
plot by completing the diagram below. You may use text or images to complete your
Storyboard. If you would like to create your Storyboard online, visit the following site:
www.storyboardthat.com
11
Name_______________________________
Per._____
Lesson Five – Final Projects
Directions: After viewing A Christmas Carol, choose ONE of the following projects to
demonstrate your understanding.
12
Option 1: Sequel. Write a sequel to A Christmas Carol. Describe how Scrooge lives
out his life and celebrates Christmas for the next 10 years of his life.
Option 2: Marley’s Chain. Imagine that you are visited by someone in your past, just
as Scrooge was visited by Jacob Marley. What do they warn you about? Write a story
about the warning and how you react.
Option 3: Illustration. Create a quality illustration of one of the scenes from A
Christmas Carol. On the back, explain why this scene is important to you.
13
Name_______________________________
Per._____
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
PROJECT RUBRIC
Content
Organization
Style
Creativity
4
Shows a high level of understanding
and critical thinking.
Provides a precise interpretation with
an order that is clear and effective.
Demonstrates a
superior ability to
communicate with
clarity and flair.
3
Shows sound understanding and
critical thinking.
Provides a clear interpretation with an
order that is easy to follow.
Demonstrates a sound Some creativity, without
ability to communicate sacrificing accuracy or
clarity.
clearly.
2
Shows basic understanding but little
critical thinking.
Provides a mostly clear interpretation.
Is fairly easy to follow.
Demonstrates an
inconsistent ability to
communicate clearly.
1
Demonstrates serious
misconceptions.
Rendering of elements is unclear or
confused.
Demonstrates a weak Demonstrates little or no
ability to communicate genuine effort to be
creative.
clearly.
0
High degree of creativity.
Some creativity, but may
lack accuracy or clarity.