Hello and welcome to today's lesson.

Thank you so much for joining me.

I'm Mrs. Butterworth and I will be taking you through the lesson today.

Now, I am really excited about today's lesson because in this lesson, we start a novel.

And this novel is called "The Twisted Tree." So you need to make sure you have access to this text.

And I have to tell you, this novel has got it all, intrigue, mystery, horror, and today, we will exploring the opening of it.

So let's get started.

So in this lesson, you will make predictions about a new text and understand how a character is introduced.

But before we delve into the lesson, let's look at some keywords.

Now, we will be doing some reading today of the text, and some of these words will pop up in that reading.

So it's a good idea that we just make sure we understand them now.

So those words are hubbub, patronising, jaunty, unfurled and disfigured.

Now, hubbub is a great word, isn't it? It almost sounds like what it's describing, which is a busy, noisy situation.

So you might say, "The train station was a hubbub of noise," for example.

Then we have the word patronising.

Now, patronising is to treat in a way that is apparently kind, but show superiority.

So if you patronise someone, you almost put yourself above them.

You look down on the other person.

Then we have the word jaunty.

And again, it almost sounds like what it's describing.

So jaunty means lively or cheerful.

And then we have this word unfurled, which means to spread out something which was rolled up.

So you might unfurl your arms or a plant may unfurl its leaves.

And then finally, the word disfigured, which means to spoil the appearance of something.

So this is what our lesson looks like today.

We're going to start by making predictions and reading.

And then in the second part of the lesson, we'll be focusing on who is Martha.

So let's start with those predictions and reading.

So as I said, we are going to be reading a novel called "The Twisted Tree." Now this novel is edge of your seat, fantastic.

It's mysterious, spooky, suspenseful.

You're gonna love it.

But before we begin reading a book, we can use our skills of prediction to start thinking about what the text might be about.

So what I would like you to look at please, is I would like you to look at the cover, blurb on the back and the dedication on the first page.

And I'd like you to make three predictions about the themes or story of this book.

Now, before you do that, I'm gonna give you some hints.

So think about the words twisted tree, what could they suggest? Look at the differences between the top and bottom of the front cover image.

Do they have any similarities, any differences? And what are the key words in the blurb? You may also want to consider what the story might be about, where the novel might be set, what you can work out about the main characters, and what makes this novel different or interesting.

Okay, so there's lots there to get you started.

So in a moment, you'll need to pause the video, so you can make your three predictions.

Okay, pause the video and off you go.

Okay, great.

Some lovely predictions happening there.

And I think lots of, you're starting to see that we already have so many clues about this text.

So the blurb will tell us that the main character is Martha.

We know that she has a special power.

We've got this idea about "The Twisted Tree," which could suggest something a bit sinister and spooky and gnarly if you like.

So there's lots of things that we can think about the, in terms of what this book is about, who the characters are, just by using those skills of prediction.

Here we have an image of Odin, who is the Norse god, he's considered a war god, but he's also the god of death and wisdom and also magic.

Now, a lots of you may have noticed that Burge dedicates her book to Odin.

So I'd like you to discuss why do you think she does this? And what does it suggest about the atmosphere of the book? So you may wish to go back and read the dedication again, or maybe even just look at the image and think about why she might choose Odin and what does it suggest about the atmosphere of the book? Okay, pause the video.

So you've got time to discuss, or you may just wish to sit quietly and think by yourself.

Off you go.

Okay, great, some lovely suggestions there.

So lots of you picking up on this idea of this kind of spooky, mysterious, or quite dark atmosphere that might be in the book.

And obviously this idea of Odin who is a Norse god.

So some of you have identified that the book is set in Norway, so maybe this links to traditions and mythology of Norway in that it's a Norse god.

So there's lots there that we can think about in terms of atmosphere, in terms of setting to do with the god Odin.

And he is a very important part of this novel.

Okay, so true or false? You should not use, you should not use your prediction skills before you read a text.

Is that true or false? Okay, so I'm hoping a lot of you have said false.

Well done.

And then I'd like you to justify your answer by picking a or b.

Okay, who's feeling confident? Are you ready for the answer? It is, a, using information from the front cover and blurb can help you make predictions about a novel's themes and characters.

And we've seen that already today, haven't we? In this lesson, we've already got lots of information, lots of clues about what this book is going to be about, what type of book this is.

So we are ready to begin reading.

So I want us also to think about genre in this before we begin reading.

Now, genre refers to the category or type of story being told.

So genre isn't just about books, it can be about films and music, even art.

So the type of story being told.

So you might have heard of the genres, mystery, romance, science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, thriller and more.

There are so many different genres.

Now, each genre has its own conventions, themes and styles.

So I'd like you now to discuss, we've already done lots of predicting, so I'd like you to discuss what genre you think "The Twisted Tree" is.

If you had to categorise "The Twisted Tree" into a genre, what would you pick? Pause the video to discuss your answers or just think quietly to yourself.

Off you go.

Okay, great.

Lots of you noticing that.

It's actually quite difficult to pick one genre.

So maybe "The Twisted Tree" encompasses more than one genre.

So like I said here, "The Twisted Tree" has been described as a Nordic thriller and part horror, part mystery.

So that's all.

That's lots of genres, isn't it? But it is starting to narrow it down a little bit.

It's got elements of being a thriller, but it's also got elements of horror and mystery.

So now, we've got that information.

What are your expectations and predictions about the text now? Are there any key things that you think might happen? Pause the video, so you can discuss your ideas.

Off you go.

Okay, fab.

So we have got so much information to begin reading now, we've decided what genre the book is.

We even know the main character's name, the setting, the type of atmosphere that we're expecting.

So we've got lots already on this text.

So what I would like you to do is in a moment, you'll need to pause a video.

So you can read "The Twisted Tree" from pages 1 to the end of 11.

So make sure you've got your copy ready to go.

Then I'd like you to answer the following questions.

So what is the name of the main character? Some of you may even be able to answer that one now.

How would you describe the atmosphere? What feelings did the text give you? And what do you consider to be the most important piece of information we learn in these pages? Okay, so make sure you've got everything you need to complete this task.

Get ready to pause the video and off you go.

Excellent reading, everyone.

Thank you so much.

I hope you enjoyed reading the opening pages as much as I did.

There really is so much suspense and so much to find out.

I just didn't wanna put it down.

I wanted to find out more about Martha and her story, but there'll be time for that I'm sure.

Okay, so Andeep, we've got some feedback here.

Answers this question, what do you consider to be the most important piece of information we learn in these pages? Now, Andeep says, "I think the most important piece of information is the fact that Martha has supernatural powers.

She gathers information about people's pasts from their clothes.

So I'd like you to discuss now, do you agree or disagree with Andeep? And what other information did you consider? Okay, so pause a video to discuss, do you agree or disagree with Andeep? And what other information did you consider? So pause the video to discuss or just think quietly to yourself.

Off you go.

So we have reached the second part of our lesson.

So now, we have read those opening pages of "The Twisted Tree." We're now going to look in a bit more depth at who is Martha.

So first I want us to consider what is a protagonist.

So this is a really good word to make sure, you know, protagonist.

Now, a protagonist is usually considered the main character in a story.

They're at the centre of everything that happens and we can see that happening already, can't we in "The Twisted Tree?" Usually, the one you're cheering for, or if not just following closely.

And their actions usually decide what happens next in the story.

So discuss, how do we know that Martha is the protagonist? So considering those bullet points to help you, how do we know that Martha is the protagonist? So pause the video, so you can discuss your answer to this question or think quietly to yourself.

Off you go.

Okay, so let's just share some answers what we have come up with.

So lots of you picked up on the fact that it's written in first person.

So uses, I and we pronouns.

So she's speaking about herself, isn't she in the first person? I did this, I went there.

So that means the story is told from her perspective.

And we hear at the start, you may have noticed that we hear her voice in the present and then she retells events from her past.

So we know this is that she is the protagonist 'cause this is all about her.

Not only are we hearing her retelling events from her past, but she also starts the whole novel the writer does with Martha's voice in the present.

So question for you.

Who is the protagonist of "The Twisted Tree?" Is it a, b, or c? So hopefully, you all manage to get c.

Great, well done.

Well done so far everyone, we've got one more practise task to do.

And in this practise task, I want us to consider what makes Martha interesting as a protagonist.

And I'd like you then to annotate the character outline with all of the information you have found out about Martha.

So a good starting point might be to consider the first practise task and the information you gathered there and discussed, and also the discussions that we've had in the second part of the lesson.

But I would also go back to the text to make sure that you can find some really good examples and evidence.

You should think about her appearance as well as her personality, and focus on what makes her interesting as a protagonist.

So whilst you're back in the text, try and find some quotes to use in those annotations too.

But I want to see these character outlines filled with all of that brilliant information on Martha because she really is an interesting protagonist.

Okay, great.

So make sure you've got everything you need.

So complete this task.

When you are ready, pause the video and off you go.

Thank you for your hard work.

Lots of you have found lots of great information and starting to realise that Martha really is an interesting protagonist.

It makes the novel even more engaging, doesn't it? Because we just want to find out more about her, where she's going, her experiences, what the story's going to be about, but let's just feedback on her task.

So Alex picks his most interesting annotation and explains his choice.

So here's Alex's annotation.

It says, "Martha feels vulnerable." So that's a good piece of information, isn't it? That makes her interesting.

"And the writer uses a simile to describe her experience in the airport.

She compares the noise to bees and the threat of their stings." So this is a great annotation because not only has Alex identified something interesting about Martha and the way she feels, but he's also used evidence from the text to back up this annotation.

So where in the text, we see Martha being described as vulnerable.

Then Alex explains why he believes this is most interesting annotation.

And he says, "I have picked this annotation because it identifies something about Martha and uses quotes." And I would agree with Alex on this one.

So I'd like you to do the same, please.

Pick your most interesting quote and then explain your choice.

So you'll definitely need to pause a video to give yourself time to do this.

Off you go.

And this thing could always be end of the lesson.

So we're very well done, everyone, and thank you for your hard work.

What a great start to a novel, hey, I hope you agree.

So let's just go through everything that we have looked at.

We know that the cover, blurb and dedication of a book can give you important details about the themes.

We discovered that the novel is dedicated to Odin, who is a Norse god and an inspiration to poets.

We know that a protagonist refers to the main character of a story.

Martha is blind in one eye because of an accident.

Martha has run away from home, to visit her grandmother in Norway.

And Martha can feel other people's emotions and thoughts through their clothing.

So again, thanks for joining me for today's lesson.

I can't wait to do it all again.

So please do join me again for another lesson soon.

Until then, I'll say goodbye.

Bye-Bye!.