A blended thematic unit for Siobhán Dowd’s Bog Child, designed to provide an engaging study of the novel while building the key skills pupils will need as they progress towards GCSE English Language and Literature.

The unit combines novel study with CCEA Conflict poetry, creative and personal writing, and purposeful speaking and listening opportunities.

Included in the unit:

• Complete study of Bog Child – exploring character, themes, relationships, setting and context
• CCEA Conflict poetry carefully incorporated to complement the themes and ideas within the novel
• Introduction to core poetry devices and terminology, helping pupils develop confidence before GCSE study
• Comparative opportunities across prose and poetry, encouraging pupils to make meaningful thematic connections
• Literary analysis skills with a focus on selecting evidence, exploring writers’ methods and developing analytical responses
• Personal writing opportunities inspired by characters, situations and themes from the unit
• Creative writing tasks designed to develop pupils’ control of voice, description, viewpoint and structure
• Speaking and listening activities, including discussion, debate and collaborative tasks
• Exploration of engaging themes including conflict, identity, family, loyalty, political division, choices and personal responsibility
• A natural bridge towards GCSE English Literature, introducing pupils to the terminology, analytical thinking and response styles they will encounter at GCSE

An ideal unit for developing reading, writing, poetry analysis and oracy skills through one coherent thematic approach.