I’ve developed teaching guides for two of my books: A Dangerous Crossing and Chalkline. Both books are suitable for use in senior classes of primary school and junior classes in secondary school. For each guide, the novel has been divided into four units, based loosely on the structure of the story. Each unit includes chapter summaries, discussion points and activities, mostly focussed on language development.
The pace at which the novels are read depends on the teacher and the students.
A Dangerous Crossing deals with themes such as refugees, discrimination, and gender equality, all of which are relevant in the contemporary world.
It is highly relevant today in light of events in Syria and Ukraine, and in view of current challenges faced by refugee children fleeing areas of war and armed conflict. The subject matter of the story provides plenty of opportunity for discussion, activities, debate and the development of personal opinion. Themes are powerfully explored and carefully researched.
The main discussion areas woven into the fabric of the story include:
Chalkline deals with themes such as human rights, armed conflict, and gender equality, all of which are relevant in the contemporary world.
The novel is on Ireland’s Junior Certificate curriculum for English. Its subject matter is highly relevant today in light of recent events in places such as Syria, Palestine and Iraq, and in view of the current challenges faced by children living in areas of armed conflict around the world.
Teachers and schools have used Chalkline as a base around which to build a programme of lessons on multicultural education.
The subject matter of the story provides plenty of opportunity for discussion, activities, debate and development of personal opinion. The main discussion themes woven into the fabric of the story include:
©Jane Mitchell. Webpage updated 2023.