the point in the narrative where the suspense and excitement reach their highest point

the physical abilities of sight, smell, hearing, touch and taste

strong feelings that result from a person's circumstances, mood or relationships with others

Generating ideas for a narrative climax scene in 'When The Sky Falls'

English

In this unit, pupils write a narrative climax and use it as the stimulus for writing a diary entry from a character's perspective.

In 'A Kind of Spark’: Narrative Writing', pupils finessed writing a build-up and climax with a focus on switching between the past and present tense to highlight a jump in perspective. In this unit, pupils will write a narrative climax and use it as the stimulus for writing a diary entry from a character's perspective.

In this unit, pupils write a narrative climax and a journalistic report based on the text, 'When the Sky Falls', focusing on changing tone and style to meet each outcome's purpose. The journalistic report is based on an event in the novel. These outcomes can be used for KS2 SATS writing.

'When the Sky Falls': narrative and journalistic report writing

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

because it's when we see the zoo for the first time

because it is where the problems in the story are resolved

Why is the section of 'When the Sky Falls' when Joseph runs to the zoo through the air raid part of the climax? 

Joseph runs through the streets towards the zoo. 

He scales the fence and he finds the gun.

He is knocked to the ground by the force of explosions nearby.

Put these events from part of the climax in order.

Which sense is shown in this description? 'The heat from the flames pushed Joseph back; he knew it was no use him trying to fight the fire.'

Which sense are we unlikely to refer to in this section? 

Joseph knew he had to get there; he had no choice. 

Joseph's eyes filled with tears as he looked through the gun's sight.

Match the methods of showing emotion to the examples. 

Joseph running through the air raid to the zoo 

Joseph climbing the fence, getting the gun and training it on Adonis 

Joseph being knocked down several times by explosions

Which point in the climax does this emotive detail relate to? 'Joseph knew he had to get up; he had to do his duty.'

Which element of the narrative structure comes **last**? 

Which part of the narrative structure is usually where the 'problems' are first introduced? 

In which part of the narrative structure would this event fall? 'Joseph and Mrs F weep together after Adonis' death.'

the problem of Adonis being threatened with removal and being shot

What 'problem' is resolved by the death of Adonis in 'When the Sky Falls'?

Joseph steals the cheese and bacon from the man on the train. 

Joseph tries to save Adonis from being shot.

Which of the events would form part of the build-up in 'When the Sky Falls'?

Joseph struggles to form relationships with people. 

Which of these problems are resolved during the course of 'When the Sky Falls'?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision recommended

Introduction

What will you need for this lesson?

Are you ready to learn?

Equipment

Content guidance

Supervision

Worksheet