Lamb to the Slaughter, Roald Dahl, Literary Analysis, PDF & Google Drive, CCSS

Use the dark humor of Roald Dahl’s well-known short story, “Lamb to the Slaughter," to teach your students the elements of literary analysis. This one-day lesson plan includes links to the full text of the story, detailed instructions, a 9-question deep-thinking handout (with detailed answer key, of course), and a writing activity that creatively uses an official-looking police report for students to summarize the elements of the story. The lesson also includes a police sketch portion (my high school students love when I bring out the colored pencils) and a link to an Alfred Hitchcock video version of the story.

All student handouts are included in both PDF and Google Drive formats.

Dahl is best known for his longer works, such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, and James and the Giant Peach. This story, however, is a bit darker and intended for a slightly older audience. This lesson is best for advanced middle school or high school students.

Please note that the police report form is sold separately in my store – Click here to see Police Report form. In the “Lamb to the Slaughter” packet, I’ve included the blank form and a completed sample featuring the characters/situation of this short story. In the other version sold separately at the link above, I’ve included the blank form and a sample featuring a scene from John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. The blank police report form can be reused with many different stories. No need to purchase it separately from my store if you buy these “Lamb to the Slaughter” materials.

Interested in more short story materials?

Click HERE for my catalog of lessons on a variety of classic short stories

Click HERE for a budget-priced FOUR WEEK short story unit

Want to expand this lesson with a student-led author biography research activity about the life and impact of Roald Dahl's work? Click HERE: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Roald-Dahl-Author-Study-Worksheet-Biography-Activity-PDF-Google-Drive-CCSS-3107978

NOTE: This item is included in my English 9-10 full-year curriculum. If you already own the full-year download, please do not purchase this item here individually. If you’d like to receive this item plus everything else needed to teach 180 days of English 9 or English 10 at a deeply discounted price, click here to learn more about the full-year curriculum download.

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Lamb and police shield image credit: Pixabay, Public domain