Year 6 - English
Exploring Addie's character
'A Kind of Spark': narrative writing
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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 write a build-up and climax based on the text, 'A Kind of Spark'. They learn to switch tense to highlight a jump in perspective from narrative prose to an internal monologue and from present to past tense to indicate a flashback. These outcomes can be used for KS2 SATS writing.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explore Addie's character traits in 'A Kind of Spark' and identify character lows and highs within the structure of the story.
Key Notes
- Addie is the protagonist in 'A Kind of Spark'; she is autistic, but this does not define her exclusively.
- Addie has a range of character traits including bravery, determination and single-mindedness.
- We can identify character traits by looking at evidence in the text.
- We can identify a structure within a narrative including an opening, build-up, climax and resolution.
- We can track a character's emotions across a story to understand more about their personality.
Vocabulary To Learn
- protagonist: a main character or central figure in a story or narrative
- traits: special qualities that make a character in a story unique and interesting
- structure: the order of events within a narrative that gives it a coherent and engaging flow
- emotions: strong feelings that result from a person's circumstances, mood or relationships with others
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may struggle to see the structure within such a long narrative.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Addie is the protagonist in 'A Kind of Spark'; she is autistic, but this does not define her exclusively. Addie has a range of character traits including bravery, determination and single-mindedness.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'protagonist'
a main character or central figure in a story or narrative.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may struggle to see the structure within such a long narrative. Correction: Note that structure is somewhat subjective, but that a lot of the plot will be taken up with the build-up towards the climax. Many plots intertwine and build tension.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Adopting different perspectives Study Guide
- Exploring a historical scenario linked to 'A Kind of Spark' Study Guide
- Exploring Addie's speech in the climax of 'A Kind of Spark' Study Guide
- Planning the build-up of 'A Kind of Spark' including switches in perspective Study Guide
- Planning the climax of 'A Kind of Spark' including flashbacks Study Guide
- Self-editing the build-up of 'A Kind of Spark' Study Guide
- Self-editing the climax of 'A Kind of Spark' Study Guide
- Understanding the historical context of the Scottish witch trials Study Guide
- Using drama to explore a character 'low' Study Guide
- Writing the final sections of the climax, including a flashback Study Guide
- Writing the first half of the build-up of 'A Kind of Spark' Study Guide
- Writing the first section of the climax of 'A Kind of Spark' Study Guide
- Writing the next two sections of the climax, including a flashback Study Guide
- Writing the second half of the build-up of 'A Kind of Spark' Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 6 English guide library.