Lesson start ideas	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	English
What age group	Year or Grade 10
What topic	The boy in the striped pyjamas
Quantity	1
Any other preferences

English class can be exciting, especially when we start our lesson with an engaging activity. Today, we will begin our lesson on the novel "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas." What comes to mind when you hear the word "pyjamas"? Well, let's brainstorm for a few minutes.

Brainstorming Activity

1. Ask students to write down the first five words that come to mind when they hear the word "pyjamas."
2. Give each student one minute to share their words with the class.
3. After sharing, ask students if any of their words are related to the Holocaust or World War II (the historical context of the novel).
4. Finally, introduce the novel "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" and explain how it relates to the Holocaust.

Introduction to the Novel

"The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" is a novel set during World War II, written by author John Boyne. It tells the story of a young German boy named Bruno, whose father is a high-ranking Nazi officer. Suddenly, his family is forced to move from their comfortable home in Berlin to a new house, far away in the countryside. Bruno hates this new place, until he meets a boy on the other side of a fence. The boy is wearing striped pyjamas, and his name is Shmuel.

This novel highlights the innocence of children in times of war and how they are often taught to hate what they do not understand. Our task today is to dive deep into the novel, understanding the themes, characters, and symbolism. Let's get started!