Lesson 1 Before you Read

• Learning Intention: I understand the context in which Frankenstein was written
• Key Competency: Participating & Contributing
• Success Criteria: I can produce a text which is suitable for purpose, audience and format

In the news and on the Internet it is easy to find stories about science and experiments that link back to ‘Frankenstein’ or use the name ‘FRANKENSTEIN’, for example: calling genetically modified foods “Frankenstein foods”.

The name Frankenstein comes from a novel written by Mary Shelly in 1818, when she was just 19 years old. Since then the story has been retold and adapted for the stage, on film, on radio, on television and in comics. There is something about the story that fascinates people.

‘Frankenstein’ is a horror story but it also might be the first ever science fiction story.

TASK 1

In your book write down anything you know to do with or linked to the story of Frankenstein –

*   List things from the films or book that you know about

*   What type of genre it fits into

*   What you might expect in the book

*   What the story is about or what happens

*   What the characters look like

*   Who is Frankenstein?

*   What the settings for the story will be

*   What themes or ideas are explored in the book 


Discuss your ideas with the rest of the group. Any contradictory information? As you research and read the novel, it will be useful to refer back to these ideas to see if they are accurate.

TASK 2

Year 10:
Use the resources to create a paper-based text (for display) on the context of Frankenstein. Record your topics here.


Year 11:
Use the resources to create a digital presentation (for online access) on a topic related to Frankenstein. Record your topics here. When you have completed your presentation, create some way of testing understanding of it e.g. a worksheet, crossword, quiz etc and email both to all learners. (See email containing blog address for emails of everyone.)

Resources 

Scientists in the time of Shelley (Create a comic strip to explain what happened with 2 or more scientists?)

A Bit about the Romantics (Produce a Prezi in a more appealing format?)

Some Research Questions (Design a Voicethread of Shelley's life?)
Stem Cell Research (Make a glog explaining the controversy?)
Gothic Literature (Record a video outlining the development and features of this genre?)
Prometheus (An animation of the legend?)