NOUGHTS AND CROSSES Malorie Blackman Key Vocabulary: Lesson Objectives: Difference - To explore the theme of ‘difference’ in Segregation relation to the front cover of Noughts and Apartheid Inversion Crosses. - To analyse the ways in which the blurb can indicate theme. - To explore the theme of ‘difference’ in relation to apartheid and a divided society. - To apply to a situation in which ‘social norms’ are different for the day. How familiar are you with these terms? 1. What are ‘Noughts and Crosses’? 2. What does the title suggest the book may be about? Kagan Mat Consensus In groups of 4: 1. List the connotations surrounding the words ‘nought’ and ‘cross’. What do they symbolise? 2. Can you predict what the novel is about? 3. Analyse the colours, images and text. What can they tell you about possible Key Vocabulary: Difference Segregation Apartheid Inversion Read the blurb CALLUM is a NOUGHT – an inferior white citizen in a society controlled by black CROSSES. SEPHY is a CROSS – and the daughter of one of the most powerful, ruthless men in the country. In their hostile, violent world, noughts and Crosses simply don’t mix. But when Sephy and Callum’s childhood friendship grows into passionate love, they’re determined to find a way to be together. AND THEN THE BOMB EXPLODES… Intensely passionate and totally absorbing, Noughts & Crosses is Malorie Blackman’s original dystopian masterpiece. How does this affect your prediction ? What do you notice here? Noughts & Crosses is set in a world where one group within society are treated as second-class citizens due to the colour of their skin - an apartheid society. Although this has clear parallels with the history of our own world, Malorie Blackman has reversed the more familiar historical situations so Think, Pair, Share: that the group discriminated against are those with 1. Howskinswell does this reversal work in making you white noughts. see things from another perspective? 2. The Sunday Times states that the book 'inspires the reader to wish for a world that is not divided by colour or class'. Do you agree? 3. Does the book feel inspiring in this way to you? Key Vocabulary: Difference Segregation Apartheid Inversion Independent Writing Imagine a situation where ‘social norms’ are different. Write about a world where: People walk backwards, People only run – walking is banned, Or make up your You are only allowed to walk on your hands, own! People are born old and grow young, Animals go out to work and humans stay at home… Challenge – use at least 5 words from the vocab sheet!
