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Year 8 Scheme of Work
Buddy, by Nigel Hinton

Aims and Objectives

* For pupils to develop skills in extended writing
* For pupils to work in groups and continue to develop S & L skills
* To write about characters and for a variety of different audiences
* ICT opportunities for pupils

National Curriculum Focus

Speaking and Listening
* Sift and summarise the important points from group discussions
* To use evidence to explain their ideas
* Vary word choices and sentence structure for different audiences
* To listen, understand and respond critically to others
* To ask questions and give relevant and helpful comments

Reading
* To extract meaning beyond the literal, explaining how the choice of language and style affects implied and explicit meanings
* How ideas, values and emotions are explored and portrayed
* To identify the perspectives offered on individuals, community and society.
* How language is used in original and diverse ways
* To reflect on the writer's presentation of ideas and issues, the motivation and behaviour of characters, the development of plot and the overall impact of a text.

Writing
* Use a range of techniques and different ways of organising and structuring material to convey ideas, themes and characters.
* Consider what the reader needs to know and include relevant details
* Develop logical arguments and cite evidence
* Anticipate reader reaction, counter opposing views and use language to gain attention and sustain interest
* Organise their ideas and information, distinguishing between analysis and comment
* Pupils will learn to plan, draft, redraft and proofread their work.

Resources
Class set of "Buddy" by Nigel Hinton
Worksheets
Sequencing activity

Assessment

EN1
* Group work contributions
* Radio interview with Buddy

EN2
* A detailed description of 56 Croxley Street
* Character diary citing evidence from the text

EN3
* Write the next chapter for Buddy. Keeping to the style of the author.

Teaching Strategies

  • Begin with sequencing activity. Ask pupils to decide which crimes should or should not be punished. This is aimed to help them with some of the issues raised in Buddy
  • Pupils will be expected to contribute to the reading of "Buddy." (Teacher, volunteers and jigsaw activities.)
  • Pupils will brainstorm characters and become familiar with the principal characters.
  • Comprehension exercises will aid pupil understanding of the text
  • Class discussions will take place concerning sensitive issues such as racism.
  • Prediction activities
  • Character diaries on Buddy, dad, mum
  • Write Buddy's school report after the visit to Mr Normington
  • Radio interview with Buddy before the plan
  • Newspaper front page ICT for Buddy's disappearance
  • Though tracking The Beast
  • Write the next chapter

    Buddy, by Nigel Hinton

    Chapter 1

  • Why does Buddy steal from his mother?
  • Do we feel differently when we find out what the money is for?
  • Why does Buddy's mother cry and shout "Thief!"
  • Why does his mother leave Buddy blaming himself for her departure?

    Activities
    Brainstorm character information so far - dad/mum/Buddy

    Chapter 2

  • Why is Buddy obsessed with these superstitions?
  • Why does he think about death so much?
  • Why doesn't he tell the school that his mum has left?
  • Racism

    Activities
    Comprehension to draw out elements of racism.
    Discussion to clarify these sensitive issues, especially teacher - pupil relationship

    Chapter 3

  • Bullying issues "You stink like a fish and chip shop."
  • Why does Buddy feel ashamed of his dad?

    Activities
    Summary of Three Chapters so far.

    Chapter 4

  • Buddy is still obsessed with dying - why does this persist?
  • His dad returns from "work." What is it he is doing?
  • Ghost story about 56 Croxley Street

    Activities
    Make notes on 56 Croxley Street - remind pupils that by chapter 10 they will have to write a detailed description.

    Chapter 5

  • Shoplifting - has Buddy learnt his lesson?
  • Julius' friend sees Buddy with "eyes full of hatred."

    Activities
    Bottom of page 21- "he had a bit of bother from some white kids at school" - Discuss inherent prejudices.
    Top of page 22 - "So did I" said Buddy. Discussion

    Chapter 6

  • Description of Croxley Street
  • Very descriptive language as they see a white face peering out of the letter box!

    Activities
    Continue with work on Croxley Street description

    Chapter 7

  • Buddy is at the Rybeero's house discussing the events from that night
  • See the contrast between the two families
  • Buddy questions his dad's whereabouts on his return home

    Activities
    Prediction on dad

    Chapter 8

  • Buddy cleans the house - why?
  • Dad takes him out and Buddy questions where the money is coming from.

    Activities
    Jigsaw reading around this stage in the book. Chapters 7,8 and 9

    Chapter 9

  • Buddy has a fight with Siddell
  • Buddy and the Rybeero's discuss Croxley Street

    Activities
    Write a report of the fight as though you were a bystander

    Chapter 10

  • The three of them look around Croxley Street
  • Charmian meets the lady next door - implications

    Activities
    Read up to P. 44 - "behind the large, brick gatepost."
    The excepts and notes need to be collated here.
    Pupils need to write a lengthy description of Croxley Street.
    This will act as their EN2 Assessment.

    Chapter 11

  • The Beast returns as all 3 of them are looking around the house.
  • The truth is discovered about the cat.

    Activities
    Information about other characters - Mr King and The Beast

    Chapter 12

  • Buddy has a nightmare and his dad is there to comfort him
  • They go out the next day and night (Buddy and Dad)
  • Buddy notices a shadow watching from across the street

    Activities
    Buddy feels he "spoiled a really good day" Explore his feelings and why he continually blames himself for everything.

    Chapter 13

  • Parents consultation evening - pupils mention their embarrassment of parents
  • Buddy realises at school that his dad is scared and Buddy realised how much he loved him, "and he didn't care who knew it."
  • The shadow is watching from across the street again.

    Activities
    Write Buddy's school report

    Chapter 14

  • Buddy has started carrying a knife around
  • We find out that the shadow is his mum

    Activities
    Character study of Buddy and his feelings on seeing his mum again.
    Write your own 6-10 comprehension questions

    Chapter 15

  • Buddy's dad is bleeding in the bathroom when Buddy awakes
  • Buddy finds proof that his dad is stealing

    Activities
    Diary entry from Buddy or dad about that night

    Chapter 16

  • Dad admits the goods are stolen
  • Mr King comes to the house and they discuss 56 Croxley Street

    Activities
    Write a letter from Buddy to mum about activities recently. Explain you are worried about dad and Mr King.

    Chapter 17

  • Buddy goes to his mum's house and wants her to meet dad.
  • Charmian's help is needed for his plan.

    Activities
    Prediction - what is the plan and will it work?

    Chapter 18

  • Going over the plan and as he approaches the house he sees Mr King going into a pub

    Activities
    EN1 - radio interview with Buddy.
    Pupils to be in pairs. One needs to be the interviewer and the other Buddy. Think up questions together and responses.
    Questions such as "What is your plan?" "What do you hope to achieve?"

    Chapter 19

  • What has gone wrong?
  • His dad turns up and sees Buddy
  • The police turn up and take his dad and the Beast away

    Activities
    Newspaper front page ICT opportunity

    Chapter 20

  • Buddy goes back to the Rybeero's house and stays for a couple of days
  • He then goes home and packs up a few things - what is he doing?

    Activities
    Think about Buddy and what he is planning

    Chapter 21

  • Buddy catches the bus to the countryside
  • He wakes up on his birthday

    Activities
    Comprehension or true/false questions

    Chapter 22

  • Buddy decides to sleep rough at Croxley Street and then the Beast returns.
  • We find out the true identity of the Beast!

    Activities
    Thought tracking of the Beast, finding Buddy in his house and his past etc.

    Chapter 23

  • Buddy finds out that everybody has been looking for him
  • His dad isn't cross - he wants a job

    Activities
    Write an article for a newspaper about the disappearance of Buddy.
    ICT possibilities

    Chapter 24

  • Six-nine months have passed and the trial is due for dad
  • His mum is back when he returns from school
  • His dad has been given an 18 month sentence, "everyday, it's a getting closer�"

    Activities
    Write the next chapter. How does Buddy get by without his dad. How does he fair at school with a dad in jail?
    EN3 assessment

    BUDDY, by Nigel Hinton
    Chapters 1, 2 and 3

    Answer the questions below in complete sentences and as fully as you can.

    1. Why does Buddy steal from his mother?

    2. Why does Buddy blame himself for his mother's departure? What do think the reality of the situation is?

    3. Why is Buddy obsessed with superstitions? Which ones have we been introduced to so far?

    4. Why does Buddy think about death so often?

    5. Why doesn't Buddy tell the school that his mother has left?

    6. Why do you think Mr Normington is always reprimanding Buddy?

    7. Mr Normington is behaving in an unprofessional manner in a number of ways. Discuss each in turn giving your own opinion about each.

    8. Why does Buddy feel ashamed of his dad?

    9. What does Buddy's dad mean when he says, "Cutting off your nose to spite your face." (Page 13)

    10. Discuss how the relationship is changing between Buddy and his father.

    Should be punished                    Should not be punished

    75 mph on the motorway at midnight

    Forgetting to pay for a drink at the shop

    Stealing a Mars bar from the supermarket

    Taking your classmates pen and not returning it

    45 mph in a 30 mph residential area

    Shop lifting some clothes

    Taking someone's dinner money

    Breaking into a car but not stealing anything

    Smashing your neighbour's window

    Smashing your neighbour's window and running away

    Bullying someone because they are fat

    Burgling a house because you are poor

    Fighting

    Speeding in your car because you are running late

    Breaking into a house you think is uninhabited for 'a laugh'

    Swearing and being rude to people

    Buddy, by Nigel Hinton - Croxley Street

    What number is the house and where is it?  
     
     
     
    Who first mentioned the house and in where were they?  
     
     
     
     
     
     
    How did Buddy's dad find out about it?  
     
     
     
    List the information that Buddy finds out about.  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    What are the differences between Buddy's reaction and that of his dads?  
     
     
     
     
     
     

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