Titanic Scheme of Work
(ages 11-12)
Overview
This six-week scheme uses the real-life sinking of the Titanic to centre student-led character work and devised survivor stories. Lessons use a true survivor’s testimony, postcards and audio effects as stimuli and focus on practical exercises — visualisation, thought-aloud, flashback and dramatic pause — to build empathy, narrative clarity and confident ensemble work. The unit emphasises handling sensitive historical material with maturity and insight rather than sensational detail, giving teachers a structured sequence for exploring personal stories within a historical event.
What Students Will Learn
Students will develop characterisation and storytelling skills by creating their own survivor narratives grounded in a real testimony and period stimuli. They practise visualisation, thought-aloud, flashback and dramatic timing to explore emotions and perspective, and learn to approach sensitive historical material with empathy and considered dramatic choices. The unit prioritises personal stories and ensemble work over spectacle.
Week 1: In The Lifeboat
Introduces the unit focus on developing survivor characters and personal narratives. Practical work uses the true survivor’s story, postcards and audio effects alongside visualisation, thought-aloud, flashback and dramatic pause techniques.
Resources IncludeResourcesTitanic Fact SheetWater Sound EffectWeek 2: Developing Characters
Continues character development with a focus on internal perspective and motivation. Students practise thought-aloud and visualisation using the survivor testimony and postcard stimuli to deepen emotional detail.
Resources IncludeResourcesTitanic Post CardsWeek 3: Four Days
Explores memory and narrative structure through flashback techniques. Pupils use the survivor’s account and audio effects to construct short flashback sequences revealing character thoughts and reactions.
Week 4: Hitting the Iceberg
Develops use of dramatic pause and timing to heighten emotional moments. Practical exercises use postcards and audio cues to rehearse controlled pauses and pacing within devised scenes.
Resources IncludeResourcesSurvivor's AccountWeek 5: The Sinking of The Titanic
Focuses on shaping individual survivor stories within an ensemble context. Students combine visualisation, thought-aloud and stimulus material to create coherent short monologues or narrative pieces.
Week 6: Titanic Assessment
Refines performances using audio effects and postcard prompts to support atmosphere and authenticity. Sessions concentrate on integrating technical cues with character choices for clearer storytelling.
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