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Year 4 - English

Planning a section of a narrative based on 'The Borrowers'

'The Borrowers': narrative writing and reading

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils explore 'The Borrowers' through reading and writing activities. They sequence key events, analyse the setting and characters and write a descriptive setting piece. Pupils also plan, write, and edit sections of the build-up, developing their narrative writing skills.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to plan a section of the build-up of 'The Borrowers'.

Key Notes

  • The purpose of the build-up is to build action and suspense leading up to the climax.
  • In this section of the build-up, Arrietty sets off on her first borrowing expedition and reaches the infamous clock.
  • A range of precise and ambitious vocabulary is used to describe key moments in the build-up.
  • 'Show and tell' language shows a character's feelings by describing their actions, body language and facial expressions.
  • A plan contains precise vocabulary, is written in note format and follows a sequence of events.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • build-up: the building of action and suspense that leads up to the climax in a narrative
  • 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
  • plan: a framework that writers create before they write a section or whole text

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Children may struggle to develop appropriate 'show and tell' language for a range of emotions.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

The purpose of the build-up is to build action and suspense leading up to the climax. In this section of the build-up, Arrietty sets off on her first borrowing expedition and reaches the infamous clock.

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 appropriate 'show and tell' language for a range of emotions. Correction: Identify the emotions of characters during this section first and ask children to imagine how they might convey that feeling. E.g. Homily is feeling stubborn and firm. 'Show and tell' for this might be: She gave Pod a stern and silent look.

More Lessons In This Unit

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