Year 4 - English
Writing paragraph one of the build up of 'A Christmas Carol'
'A Christmas Carol': narrative writing and reading
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
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 write the first paragraph of the build-up of 'A Christmas Carol'.
Key Notes
- The first paragraph of the build-up gradually conveys an eerie atmosphere, building suspense for the reader.
- Precise vocabulary is used to describe sensory details and 'show and tell' conveys Scrooge's emotions.
- A range of sentence types supports text flow and the building of suspense.
- Including a character's internal thoughts communicates to the reader what a character is thinking and feeling.
Vocabulary To Learn
- 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
- internal thoughts: a character's thoughts that are not spoken out loud
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Children may think the only way to convey Scrooge's thoughts is to use the phrase 'Scrooge thought'. They may struggle to incorporate different ways to incorporate his inner thoughts.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
The first paragraph of the build-up gradually conveys an eerie atmosphere, building suspense for the reader. Precise vocabulary is used to describe sensory details and 'show and tell' conveys Scrooge's emotions.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'suspense'
a state of feeling excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Children may think the only way to convey Scrooge's thoughts is to use the phrase 'Scrooge thought'. They may struggle to incorporate different ways to incorporate his inner thoughts. Correction: Highlight the different examples that convey Scrooge's internal thoughts and ask the children to spot the different verbs used instead of 'thought'. Other examples are 'considered', 'wondered', 'told himself'.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Analysing the ending of 'A Christmas Carol' Study Guide
- Developing comprehension of 'A Christmas Carol' Study Guide
- Editing the build-up of 'A Christmas Carol' Study Guide
- Exploring and engaging with themes in 'A Christmas Carol' Study Guide
- Exploring characterisation in 'A Christmas Carol' Study Guide
- Learning about the context of 'A Christmas Carol' Study Guide
- Planning a setting description based on 'A Christmas Carol' Study Guide
- Planning the build up of 'A Christmas Carol' Study Guide
- Planning the climax of a 'A Christmas Carol' Study Guide
- Planning the opening of 'A Christmas Carol' Study Guide
- Writing a setting description based on 'A Christmas Carol' Study Guide
- Writing paragraph two of the build up of 'A Christmas Carol' Study Guide
- Writing the climax of 'A Christmas Carol' Study Guide
- Writing the opening of 'A Christmas Carol' Study Guide
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