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Year 6 - English

Generating vocabulary for the build-up of 'Beowulf and the dragon'

'Beowulf': narrative writing

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils rewrite the build-up, climax and resolution of the historical classic 'Beowulf', focusing on interspersing dialogue to convey atmosphere and advance the action. Pupils work to generate vocabulary that is appropriate for each section of the narrative.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to develop a bank of vocabulary to describe settings and characters in a narrative retelling of the build-up in 'Beowulf and the dragon'.

Key Notes

  • Rehearsing our storytelling using a text map makes the writing process easier.
  • We can also plan some of the vocabulary we wish to use to have a certain effect.
  • We are going to be writing the build-up of 'Beowulf and the dragon'.
  • We can use rich vocabulary to describe the burned stronghold, the rocky headland and the dragon's body.
  • We can avoid repeating 'Beowulf' and 'the dragon' by replacing them with varied noun phrases.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • text map: a visual representation of a series of events, where pictures represent events
  • build-up: the part of a story where problems are introduced and tension rises
  • rich vocabulary: words chosen intentionally to convey a certain impression to the reader of a place, person or thing
  • expanded noun phrase: a phrase where a noun is described by one or more adjectives

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils may believe they can only use the words provided in the tasks.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Rehearsing our storytelling using a text map makes the writing process easier. We can also plan some of the vocabulary we wish to use to have a certain effect.

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

a visual representation of a series of events, where pictures represent events.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Pupils may believe they can only use the words provided in the tasks. Correction: You may wish to list the words provided on a whiteboard during the lesson, but then encourage children to apply their own ideas in the tasks or to use a thesaurus to explore deeper.

More Lessons In This Unit

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