Bah! Humbug! A Christmas Carol: Characters and Themes

About This Resource

A complete Grade 8 ESL literature pack on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol (1843): a retelling of the plot, the main characters (Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, Jacob Marley and the three spirits), how Scrooge changes and the themes of generosity, family and second chances. Students order the plot, analyze character change with evidence, explain quotations and write Scrooge's diary. Includes slides, a lesson plan, worksheet, quiz, homework, flashcards, a rubric and answer keys.

Overview

Students explore one of the most famous Christmas stories in English literature. They read a short retelling of A Christmas Carol, published by Charles Dickens in 1843: the mean, money-loving Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his partner Jacob Marley and then by three spirits, who show him his past, the present and a possible future. Students follow the plot, meet the main characters, trace how Scrooge changes from "Bah! Humbug!" to generosity, and discuss the story's themes of generosity, family, poverty and second chances. They support their ideas with evidence and write a diary entry from Scrooge's point of view.

Resource Details

Subject: ESL
Topic: A Christmas Carol: Characters and Themes
Category: Reading
File Type: PDF
File Size: 346.5 KB
Published: 11 Nov 2026
Downloads: 0

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Grade 8 ESL (ages 13–14), B1 60 minutes Literary reading character analysis themes using evidence creative writing

Learning Objectives

Retell the main events of A Christmas Carol in order.
Describe how Scrooge changes and support ideas with evidence from the text.
Explain the main themes of the story and the meaning of key quotations.

How to Use This Resource

Start with the slides: show the words "Bah! Humbug!" and ask what kind of person might say them.
Read the retelling together, then do worksheet activities 1 and 2.
Students complete activities 3 to 6, then use the quiz and write Scrooge's diary for homework.

Classroom Activity Ideas

Freeze-frames: groups act out a still picture of one scene; the class guesses which spirit is showing it.
Before and after: students write adjectives for Scrooge at the start and at the end on two sides of a paper figure.
Hot seat: a student plays Scrooge and answers the class's questions about why he changed.

Differentiation

Support: give a character card for each character with a picture and three key words. Challenge: students compare Scrooge at the start and end in a paragraph using linking words of contrast such as whereas and however.

Assessment

Use the worksheet and quiz to check understanding of plot, characters and themes. Use the rubric to assess the homework diary entry.

Teacher Tips

The full novel uses old-fashioned language. This retelling gives students the story so they can focus on characters and themes; you may read short original extracts aloud for flavor. The story is set in Victorian London, so explain that many poor families had very little money and no help from the government.

What's Included

11-page printable PDF lesson pack: teacher lesson plan with timings, materials and differentiation
Key vocabulary list (8 words with meanings and examples)
Student worksheet (6 activities)
Quiz / assessment (3 parts)
Homework practice page
Printable flashcards: 8 A5 picture cards (separate PDF)
Assessment rubric (4 levels)
Lesson slides (editable PowerPoint)
Editable Word version of all student pages
Complete answer key (also as a separate PDF)