Do you need a mini-unit that thematically connects Romanticism to the Industrial Revolution using the powerful poetry of William Blake? Blake was a rebellious visionary whose poems “London” and “The Chimney Sweeper” expose the squalor, exploitation, and hypocrisy he witnessed in 18th-century London—a city transformed by industrial growth and social inequality.
This resource will enrich your teaching and introduce students to this pivotal era in history and to one of the most important British Romantic poets. Packed with guided readings, structured note-taking tools, discussion questions, creative tasks, assessments, and visual aids, this mini-unit helps students trace Blake’s critique of Church and State, analyze the lives of child laborers, and understand how Romantic poets responded to the dehumanizing effects of industrialization.
Drawing from the rich context in the included materials—such as background on Blake’s life, detailed scaffolded notes, question banks, vocabulary tools, and historical maps—students will explore innocence and experience, hypocrisy and power, and the tension between imagination and industrial progress.
This mini-unit is ideal for:
- Middle and high school ELA or Humanities classes
- Interdisciplinary units connecting literature and history
- Exploring Romanticism, child labor, and social justice themes
- Close reading, annotation, and evidence-based writing practice
By the end of the unit, students will be able to:
- Analyze Blake’s poems through thematic, historical, and symbolic lenses
- Explain how Romantic poetry challenges industrialization and social injustice
- Identify imagery, sound devices, tone, and mood in Blake’s verse
- Write short analytical responses using precise textual evidence
What’s Inside
- Notes for the Teacher
- 2 Lesson Calendars & Pacing Guides
- One for “London”
- One for “The Chimney Sweeper” poems
- Teacher Answer Keys for all student tasks
- Standards Alignment Charts for planning
📚 Primary Texts & Guided Notes
- “London” (1794) – full text + guided notes
- “The Chimney Sweeper” (1789) – full text + guided notes
- “The Chimney Sweeper” (1794) – full text + guided notes
Each poem includes margin notes, comprehension scaffolds, and space for annotation.
📊 Assessments & Review Tools
- 30 Quick Review Questions
- 11 for “London”
- 19 for both “Chimney Sweeper” poems
(Use for bell work, exit tickets, quizzes, or small-group review.)
- 1 Google Form Assessment
- 1 Kahoot! Assessment
💬 Discussion, Speaking & Listening Activities
- 17 Discussion & Creative Tasks total
- 9 for “London”
- 8 for “The Chimney Sweeper”
- Activities support whole-class dialogue, small-group work, and independent thinking.
✍️ Writing & Note-Taking Tools
- 1 Writing Prompt (with lined response sheet) with a 4-point rubric and success criteria
- 3-Box Cornell-Style Note-Taking Template
- 2 Half-Sheet Exit Slips for formative assessment
- 1 Frayer Model Vocabulary Template
🔗 Additional Resources
- 2 Hyperlinked Lists of further reading on
- William Blake
- Historical context for the poems
- Bonus Materials
- Thematic Mini-Unit Overview and Planning Charts
- Analyzing Poetry Writing Worksheet
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