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Year 3 - English

Writing the build-up of 'The Iron Man' (part one)

'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 write the first paragraph of the build-up of 'The Iron Man'.

Key Notes

  • In part one of the build-up, Hogarth encounters the Iron Man and tells his father, who goes out in search of the giant.
  • The use of precise and ambitious vocabulary, including 'show and tell' language supports the building of suspense.
  • Using a range of sentence types, including adverbial complex sentences, supports text flow.
  • An adverbial clause begins with a subordinating conjunction.
  • An adverbial clause is joined with a main clause to form an adverbial complex sentence.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • suspense: when you are feeling anxious or excited about what may happen
  • 'show and tell': a writing technique for showing a character's feelings with description of their actions and expressions
  • subordinating conjunction: a word that starts an adverbial clause
  • adverbial clause: a type of subordinate clause that starts with a subordinating conjunction
  • adverbial complex sentence: a sentence formed of a main clause and an adverbial subordinate clause

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Children may struggle with switching the order of the clauses in an adverbial complex sentence and remembering the comma rule.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

In part one of the build-up, Hogarth encounters the Iron Man and tells his father, who goes out in search of the giant. The use of precise and ambitious vocabulary, including 'show and tell' language supports the building of suspense.

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

when you are feeling anxious or excited about what may happen.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Children may struggle with switching the order of the clauses in an adverbial complex sentence and remembering the comma rule. Correction: Provide a model of an adverbial complex sentence. Example: 'His pulse raced as he sprinted home.' Ask children to identify the subordinating conjunction that begins the adverbial clause in order to switch the clauses. Ask them where the comma goes.

More Lessons In This Unit

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