For the start of the session, I gave out a punctuation proof-reading task based on two trends of the decade - veganism and the plastic backlash. This was then followed by a group discussion and a note-taking task based on what the learners remembered from the last decade. This could be new stories, trends, major events, new technology etc. before the whole class fed-back to create a decade collage on the whiteboard. We then watched A Tribute to the Decade on YouTube which sparked further discussion and ideas.

I then posed the question about whether it is even possible to define the 2010's in one sentence.  I challenged all of the students to attempt the task which was challenging and quite difficult. Further questions were explored such as 'are we too close to the decade to define it properly'? and 'why is it so difficult to define'?

The final task of the lesson was a planning and final written activity. I asked the students to draw around their hand to create a 5 paragraph plan about their decade. This could either be on a personal level (a journey of their last 10 years of key and significant moments) or on a wider-level based on well-known moments that would be remembered in history. Students were finally asked to write a diary entry about the last decade sharing their own opinions - remembering to include a date, an introduction and clear paragraphs writing in first-person (based on the new reformed writing format for edexcel). 

To access the resources, click the link below:

Original version The Plastics Backlash (taken from The Guardian and adapted)

Learner version with errors The Plastics Backlash Learner Version (taken from The Guardian and adapted)

Original version Veganism (taken from The Guardian and adapted)

Learner version with errors Veganism Learner Version (taken from The Guardian and adapted)

Lesson PP - Defining the Last Decade PP