Skills

• Creative enquiries.
• Drawing on historical context to enhance the impact of writing.
• Writing accurately and fluently in a range of forms.
• Presenting information and expressing ideas.

Concept

The literacy lessons supporting this resource explore ways in which everyone exists in a social, historical and cultural context. Pupils will be encouraged to seek evidence from many texts, videos and images in order to form their own point of view.

The M Room is much more than a History resource, but capitalises on sustained interest in World War II by giving pupils an insight into a recently discovered aspect of ‘The Secret War’. Professional video footage and primary-source material (some uncovered during filming and shown here for the first time) encourage creative explorations to fill historical gaps: Who sat there? What did they hear? How did they feel? What if…?

Links to the Key Stage 3 English National Curriculum

Plan, draft, edit and proof-read through:

• Considering how their writing reflects the audiences and purposes for which it was intended.
• Amending the vocabulary, grammar and structure of their writing to improve its coherence and overall effectiveness.

Write accurately, fluently, effectively and at length for pleasure and information through:

• Stories, scripts, poetry and other imaginative writing.
• A range of other narrative and non-narrative texts, including arguments and personal and formal letters.

Draw on new vocabulary and grammatical constructions from their reading and listening, and using these consciously in their writing and speech to achieve particular effects Speak confidently and effectively, including through:

• Using standard English confidently in a range of formal and informal contexts including classroom discussion.
• Improvising, rehearsing and performing poetry in order to generate language and discuss use and meaning. Use role, intonation, tone, volume, mood, silence, stillness and action to add impact..

Standalone or four-lesson series

The M Room can be taught as a series of four literacy lessons, or teachers may choose to use any of the following plans for a standalone learning experience.

1. Lesson One: A house of mystery.
2. Lesson Two: “Hide them in the caves and cellars".
3. Lesson Three: What lies beneath?
4. Standalone lesson: Revelation.