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Year 4 - English

Planning the build up of 'A Christmas Carol'

'A Christmas Carol': narrative writing and reading

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils explore A Christmas Carol, learning about its context and developing comprehension through targeted questions. They analyse characterisation, themes, and the story's ending. Pupils then plan and write a setting description, along with the opening, build-up and climax.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to generate precise vocabulary to plan two paragraphs for the build-up of 'A Christmas Carol'.

Key Notes

  • The build-up of 'A Christmas Carol' creates an eerie atmosphere leading up to the Ghost of Marley appearing.
  • A key feature of the build-up is the building of suspense for the reader.
  • The build-up will be written over two paragraphs where the suspense gradually increases.
  • The use of precise vocabulary describing a range of sensory details helps to convey an eerie atmosphere.
  • The use of 'show and tell' to describe Scrooge's experiences conveys his emotions and supports in building suspense.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • build-up: the building of action and suspense that leads up to the climax in a narrative
  • suspense: a state of feeling excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen
  • sensory details: descriptions that include touch, sight, taste, sound and smell
  • 'show and tell': a writing technique for showing a character's feelings with description of their actions and expressions

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Children may struggle to develop their own ideas for 'show and tell' to convey Scrooge's emotions.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

The build-up of 'A Christmas Carol' creates an eerie atmosphere leading up to the Ghost of Marley appearing. A key feature of the build-up is the building of suspense for the reader.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'build-up'

the building of action and suspense that leads up to the climax in a narrative.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Children may struggle to develop their own ideas for 'show and tell' to convey Scrooge's emotions. Correction: Ask the children to recall a time when they have felt the emotions Scrooge does (e.g. nervousness or fear) and ask them what kind of physical sensations they experience during these moments. Examples to offer might be 'clammy hands' or 'tight chest'.

More Lessons In This Unit

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