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Year 3 - English

Sequencing and retelling the story of 'The Iron Man'

'The Iron Man': narrative writing

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils write their own complete narrative version of 'The Iron Man', based on their understanding and exploration of the original text by Ted Hughes from the accompanying reading unit. Pupils write the full narrative arc from opening to build-up, climax and resolution.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to sequence and retell the story of 'The Iron Man'.

Key Notes

  • 'The Iron Man' is a science fiction novel about a robotic giant named the Iron Man.
  • A narrative can be structured into four key sections: the opening, the build-up, the climax and the resolution.
  • Each part of a narrative has a specific purpose.
  • Sometimes with longer novels, stories might go through a few cycles of this structure.
  • You can use your voice, language choices and expression to retell a story effectively.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • sequencing: refers to putting the events that occur in a story in order, from the beginning to the end
  • structure: the order of events within a narrative that gives it a coherent and engaging flow
  • summarise: to pull out the key events and ideas from the text

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils may find it hard to stop retelling at the end of Chapter three and may continue to retell the rest of the story.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

'The Iron Man' is a science fiction novel about a robotic giant named the Iron Man. A narrative can be structured into four key sections: the opening, the build-up, the climax and the resolution.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'sequencing'

refers to putting the events that occur in a story in order, from the beginning to the end.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Pupils may find it hard to stop retelling at the end of Chapter three and may continue to retell the rest of the story. Correction: Make it clear that we are only focusing on the first part of the story for this narrative writing unit. Model retelling the story first.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 3 English guide library.