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Year 5 - English

Learning and reciting stanzas one to three of 'The Highwayman'

'The Highwayman': narrative writing

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils use 'The Highwayman' by Alfred Noyes as the stimulus from which to write a character and setting description, a narrative build-up in third person prose and a section incorporating varied speech sentences. Pupils complete the unit reciting and memorising parts of the poem.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to recite 'The Highwayman' and memorise one stanza.

Key Notes

  • Reciting a text provides an important opportunity for developing speaking and listening skills.
  • Speakers need to consider how to keep their audience engaged during a recital.
  • Speakers can use a range of techniques to ensure that they can be clearly heard and are engaging for the audience.
  • Memorising a text can enable a more coherent recital.
  • We can use a range of strategies to support us with memorising a text.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • recite: to read aloud a text from memory in front of an audience
  • projection: using our voice to speak powerfully and clearly
  • diction: involves pronouncing words clearly
  • body language: how we use our posture and gestures to communicate meaning and feelings
  • pace: the speed at which we speak

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils may find it challenging to use all recital skills.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Reciting a text provides an important opportunity for developing speaking and listening skills. Speakers need to consider how to keep their audience engaged during a recital.

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

to read aloud a text from memory in front of an audience.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Pupils may find it challenging to use all recital skills. Correction: Each skill of using projection, diction and body language should be explicitly modelled. Modelling non-examples are useful for pupils to see and hear what works and what doesn't in performance.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 5 English guide library.