Teach Great Expectations by Charles Dickens with confidence using this comprehensive, no-prep novel study unit from Simply Novel. This 200+ page resource includes ready-to-use lessons, comprehension and analysis questions, literary activities, quizzes, tests, writing assignments, and projects—everything you need to teach this classic novel effectively and thoroughly.

Classroom-tested by over 600 teachers, this unit is designed to support students as they navigate Dickens’s complex language, themes, and characters while building critical reading, writing, and analytical skills.

This resource is provided as a printable PDF and can be adapted for digital use.

What's Included

This complete Great Expectations teaching guide includes:

Pre-Reading Materials & Background Building

Supplemental texts and activities to introduce key themes, historical context, and genre concepts:

• Pre-reading ideas and activities list
• Active Reading Guide with note-taking and summarizing charts
• Informational text on Bildungsroman and Historical Fiction
• Article exploring “A Tale of Two Endings”
• Informational text on Wealth, Poverty, and Class in Victorian England
• Informational text on London in the Early Nineteenth Century and Post-Industrial England
• Author biography on Charles Dickens with questions
• Vocabulary lists (with and without definitions)
• Extended vocabulary list
• Glossary of allusions, terminology, and expressions

Reading Support Throughout the Novel

• Chapter-by-chapter comprehension and analysis questions
• Active reading organizers
• Guided note-taking tools
• Vocabulary development activities

These resources help students stay engaged and organized while reading a challenging, classic text.

Literary Analysis & Close Reading Activities

Targeted activities to build higher-level thinking skills, including:

• Imagery and figurative language
• Satire
• Mystery and suspense
• Characterization
• Symbolism
• Foreshadowing
• Plot analysis
• Theme development

Language & Writing Skills Practice

Writing and composition lessons designed specifically around the novel:

• Character sketch writing
• Analytical writing about character
• Altering point of view
• Biographical approach to literature
• “A Day in the Life” creative writing
• Persuasive essay writing
• Using literary devices and rhetorical techniques
• Sentence structure practice

Speaking & Listening Component

• Structured Endings Debate Activity comparing Dickens’s two possible endings

Assessments & Evaluation Tools

• Reading comprehension and analysis quizzes
• Vocabulary quizzes
• Essay and writing prompts
• Two final exam versions
• Post-reading and extension activities
• Rubrics and grading tools
• Complete answer key
• Common Core alignment documentation

Teacher Support Materials

• Detailed teacher guide
• Sample pacing agenda
• Implementation tips
• Answer keys and rubrics

Why Teachers Love This Resource

• Ready to print and teach
• Thorough, organized, and easy to follow
• Breaks a challenging classic into manageable sections
• Builds comprehension, analysis, and writing skills
• Encourages critical thinking and rich discussion
• Flexible for in-person, hybrid, or distance learning
• Saves significant planning time

Simply Novel guides help teachers tackle complex literature with clarity, structure, and confidence.

Perfect For

• High school English classrooms
• Whole-class novel studies
• Honors and AP literature courses
• Independent reading assignments
• Distance or hybrid learning
• Homeschool literature instruction
• Sub plans and enrichment units

Why It Works

Great Expectations is a challenging, layered novel. This unit helps students navigate:

• Complex Victorian language
• Intricate plot structure
• Deep character development
• Historical and social context
• Literary devices and themes

By blending comprehension support with rigorous analysis and writing instruction, this guide allows students to truly understand and appreciate Dickens’s masterpiece—without overwhelming them or you.

Teacher Reviews

“This unit has been a lifesaver! I love the depth of the lessons and how each section applies literary terms and focuses.” – Picas and Pearls in 3123

“The activities engage students in a variety of ways that encourage critical thinking and literary analysis. LOVE!” – Sarah D.

“Excellent resource… extremely helpful! The pre-reading activities are great for background knowledge.” – Denise A.

“This resource is helpful in tackling a large novel. My students were able to focus on its depth and meanings in a much easier fashion.” – Angelica R.

“My students are 100% distance learning and this was a lifesaver. It has resulted in much better discussions.” – Trevillyan Education