Year 6 - English
Building knowledge of the historical context of 'Sherlock Holmes'
'Sherlock Holmes': descriptive and letter writing
Study Hub
Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils learn about conventions of detective fiction via one of the English canon's most famous series 'Sherlock Holmes'. They use knowledge of the central character to write a setting description and a persuasive letter from a member of the public in need of his services.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain the historical context of 'Sherlock Holmes' and explore the story 'The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle'.
Key Notes
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote the 'Sherlock Holmes' stories starting in 1886.
- 'Sherlock Holmes' was written in the Victorian Era.
- The Victorian city of London was a city of startling contrast between rich and poor.
- The Holmes stories are written in the first person from Watson's perspective.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Victorian era: the period of Queen Victoria's reign (1837-1901)
- private detective: someone who does not work for the police but whose job is to discover information about crimes
- first person perspective: the point of view where the speaker or narrator of the story is the 'I' character, providing a personal account of events or experiences
- slum: an overcrowded city area where very poor people lived
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may struggle to understand the sequence of events in the story or certain vocabulary in the text.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote the 'Sherlock Holmes' stories starting in 1886. 'Sherlock Holmes' was written in the Victorian Era.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'Victorian era'
the period of Queen Victoria's reign (1837-1901).
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may struggle to understand the sequence of events in the story or certain vocabulary in the text. Correction: As you read aloud, you can provide brief interjections to show the meaning of challenging vocabulary. You can also talk as a reader, saying what you are **realising** about the plot as an aside as you read, e.g., 'Ah, he must have ...'.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Analysing the main character in 'Sherlock Holmes' Study Guide
- Exploring a fictional mystery in the Victorian era Study Guide
- Exploring conventions of detective fiction Study Guide
- Exploring vocabulary for a setting description in 'Sherlock Holmes' Study Guide
- Generating persuasive techniques for a letter to Sherlock Holmes Study Guide
- Identifying features of a persuasive letter written to Sherlock Holmes Study Guide
- Peer editing a persuasive letter to Sherlock Holmes Study Guide
- Planning a setting description in 'Sherlock Holmes' Study Guide
- Understanding 'The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle' Study Guide
- Writing the conclusion of a persuasive letter to Sherlock Holmes Study Guide
- Writing the first half of a setting description in 'Sherlock Holmes' Study Guide
- Writing the first paragraph of a persuasive letter to Sherlock Holmes Study Guide
- Writing the introduction to a persuasive letter to Sherlock Holmes Study Guide
- Writing the second half of a setting description in 'Sherlock Holmes' Study Guide
- Writing the second paragraph of a persuasive letter to Sherlock Holmes Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 6 English guide library.