Year 6 - English
Using drama to explore a character 'low'
'A Kind of Spark': narrative writing
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Study Guides
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 take part in role play to deepen your understanding of characters' perspectives in a key part of the build-up in 'A Kind of Spark'.
Key Notes
- The events culminating in the meeting between Miss Murphy and Addie's sisters are a key part of the build-up.
- When we write these events, we will need to understand the characters' actions and feelings.
- We can use drama to help us understand and remember these actions and feelings.
- We will also want to use internal monologue to show Addie's inner thoughts.
- We can practise saying these inner thoughts using drama.
Vocabulary To Learn
- build-up: the part of a narrative where problems are introduced and tension rises
- dialogue: a conversation between two or more people, written in a text or story to show what each person is saying
- internal monologue: the inner voice of a character - their thoughts to themselves, not spoken aloud
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may feel they have to stick rigidly to the dialogues and Addie's thoughts as shown in the book.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
The events culminating in the meeting between Miss Murphy and Addie's sisters are a key part of the build-up. When we write these events, we will need to understand the characters' actions and feelings.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'build-up'
the part of a narrative where problems are introduced and tension rises.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may feel they have to stick rigidly to the dialogues and Addie's thoughts as shown in the book. Correction: Explain and model how we can use our own imagination to build on the ideas in the book and make the drama our own.
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 character 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
- 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
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