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Year 4 - English

Planning a section of a narrative based on 'The Borrowers' (part 2)

'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 explores the outside world and spots the eye of a human "bean".
  • The atmosphere and Arrietty's emotions shift after she spots the eye.
  • A range of precise and ambitious vocabulary, including 'show and tell' language, is used to describe key moments.
  • 'Show and tell' language shows a character's feelings by describing their actions, body language and facial expressions.

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
  • atmosphere: the tone or mood created in a text
  • '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 ensure their 'show and tell' language is appropriate for each paragraph. For example, paragraph one is meant to convey concern but not complete fear yet.

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 explores the outside world and spots the eye of a human "bean".

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 ensure their 'show and tell' language is appropriate for each paragraph. For example, paragraph one is meant to convey concern but not complete fear yet. Correction: Model different examples of 'show and tell'. Ask children to identify whether they convey concern or fear. E.g. for concern, we might say 'chest tightened slightly at the strange sight'. For fear, we might say, 'heart pounded rapidly in her chest'.

More Lessons In This Unit

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