A challenging and engaging Years 7–8 English unit for His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman, designed for higher-ability students and extension English classes. This resource encourages deeper literary analysis, critical thinking, and sophisticated writing while exploring one of the most celebrated fantasy series in contemporary literature.

Through a range of thought-provoking learning activities, students investigate complex themes including power, free will, authority, identity, morality, knowledge, and the transition from childhood to adulthood. Students also explore how Pullman uses symbolism, characterisation, world-building, and narrative structure to construct meaning and challenge readers’ assumptions.

What’s included
• Analysis of themes, characters, context, and cultural assumptions
• Exploration of power, authority, religion, identity, knowledge, and free will
• Study of fantasy conventions, symbolism, motifs, and allegory
• Language features, figurative language, and text structures analysis
• Examination of narrative perspective, world-building, and authorial choices
• Close reading and comprehension activities
• Higher-order discussion questions and critical thinking tasks
• Analytical paragraph and essay-writing support
• Peer and self-assessment activities
• A 10-week teaching sequence with multiple learning activities each week
• Classroom-ready activities designed to challenge and extend capable learners

Want a sneak peek before you commit? Check out Instagram @beyond_the_text_resources for preview videos of the units.

Teaching approach
This resource is designed for students who are ready to engage with complex ideas and sophisticated literary concepts. Rather than relying on worksheets, the unit promotes inquiry, discussion, analysis, and analytical writing through flexible, activity-based learning experiences. Teachers can adapt and sequence tasks to suit the needs of their classes.

File info
• Provided as a non-editable PDF
• Not designed as an editable PowerPoint

How to use
• Upload to your LMS (Google Classroom, Canvas, etc.) for digital learning
• Print selected pages for classroom use
• Display pages to facilitate discussion, analysis, and writing activities
• Upload to presentation or design platforms if you wish to adapt for your own use (formatting may vary depending on the program used)