Hello, and welcome to today's lesson.

Thank you for joining me, my name's Mrs. Butterworth.

And in this lesson, we will be delving in to the novel, "The Twisted Tree".

So you need to make sure you have access to that text, 'cause we're going to be reading some of that today.

And we get to find out a little bit more about Martha's family and their connections, as well as some spooky mist that seems to just take over the outside of the cabin.

It's really spooky and mysterious and interesting.

So let's get started.

So in this lesson, you will make judgments and effectively discuss statements about a text.

So let's look at some keywords before we fully get into the lesson that will be popping up in our reading today and in the lesson.

These words are formidable, furtive, erratic, scrutiny, and anguish.

So the outline of our lesson looks like this, we're going to begin by reading pages 44 to 63.

So do make sure you have access to the text in order to be able to complete that reading.

And then we're going to move on to discuss "The Twisted Tree".

So let's get started with that reading.

So we know by now that this novel is full of suspense and intrigue.

So from what you have read so far, you might feel like you have a lot of questions, I know I do.

And I think this is what makes the book such a page-turner.

Every chapter you finish and you're like, but what's going to happen? What has Martha discovered? What does this mean? And these questions are really good, because wanting to know more is what keeps us hooked.

So now I want you to discuss, what questions do you have so far? And what are you hoping to find out as the novel progresses? So pause the video so you can discuss those questions, and come up with some own questions of your own.

You may wish to sit quietly by yourself to think about those questions or jot down some ideas.

But pause the video so you've got plenty of time to consider your answers, off you go.

Okay, great.

Lots of questions being generated there.

Let's just feedback and share some of our questions.

So you might have considered some of the following.

So, what happened to Martha? Did her accident involve more than just falling from a tree? 'Cause we're definitely getting some hints at that, she hasn't told us exactly what happened, and I want to know what happened.

Does the twisted tree have supernatural powers, or a dark secret? Again, the writer has given us little hints and clues.

And I want to know, does the tree have supernatural powers? And what's its secret? And then the relationship between Martha's mom and Mormor.

That's interesting, isn't it? So why is Martha's mom so angry with Mormor? And what are they hiding? And who is Stig? We don't know much about him, do we? And I want to know, where is he really from? I want to know more about Stig.

So these are just some of the questions that you may have, you may have thought of lots more.

But I just wanna say, when reading text, it's important to keep asking questions.

So to keep thinking about these things, because it really helps your understanding of the plot and the novel as a whole.

Because not all questions will be answered straight away, this is what makes a novel so intriguing, is the way it slowly reveals this information.

So having questions about a text is really great.

So the writer has made some really interesting choices with regards to character and place names.

So I want us just to look closely at the character names and the place names.

So Martha, this name comes from the ancient Greek, Martha, and it means the lady or mistress.

So that's what her name means, or the origins of her name.

And Stig, now Stig is an interesting name because it has its origins in Old Norse, so very connected to the setting and the genre of the novel.

And it comes from the word stiga, meaning wanderer.

So that's interesting, isn't it? Maybe that tells us something about Stig.

And then finally, the name of the island, I was really fascinated when I found this out.

So Skjebne is the name of the fictional island in the novel, so the island doesn't really exist.

But the name comes from a Norwegian word, meaning fate and destiny, or the power which controls events.

And I thought that was really interesting when I found it out, and I wondered why the writer has chosen that particular name.

'Cause it's a lot, isn't it? It tells us a lot.

So what I would like you to do, please, is I would like you to discuss, does this information give us any further clues about the characters and the place? Can you see any themes emerging from these definitions and descriptions? Okay, pause the video to give yourself time to discuss those questions.

Or you may wish to sit quietly and think by yourself, off you go.

Okay, great.

Yeah, it's interesting, isn't it? Lots of you picking up on how these name choices are really quite telling actually.

So obviously, Martha being the protagonist.

This idea that she is important, you know, lady or mistress, not just because she's a protagonist, but it suggests that she has something important perhaps in the novel.

She has an important role.

You know, the idea that Stig is linked to this idea of wanderer.

As we said a moment ago, we don't know really where he's from or what his full story is.

So this sense that he's kind of wandering through makes sense, doesn't it? And then the name of the island, Skjebne, is interesting as well, isn't it? This idea of fate and destiny, which I think might become a really important theme in the novel.

Okay, so true or false time.

The island of Skjebne is a real place in Norway, is that true or false? Okay, let's see.

It's false.

It is not a real place in Norway, it's fictional.

But now you need to justify your answer by picking A or B.

Okay, who thinks they've got the right answer? Oh, lots of you.

Fantastic, let's have a look.

The island is a fictional place, absolutely, and its name means fate and destiny.

If we look at answer A, it agrees that the place, the island is fictional, but its name means wanderer.

Actually, Stig's name means wanderer, okay? But the island means fate and destiny, which when we think about Martha going there, perhaps it has something to do with her fate or her destiny, maybe.

And one of the chapters we are going to read today has the word mist in its title.

So you may have noticed that.

And the writer actually uses mist and fog quite a lot throughout the novel.

And you may know this already, but many writers of genres like gothic horror, thriller, and mystery use fog and mist.

It is a very identifiable kind of literary trope that we see a lot in different texts.

But why fog and mist? And I want you to discuss this now, why do you think writers use fog and mist? Okay, pause the video so you've got time to discuss that question, off you go.

Okay, so let's just feedback some answers as to why writers choose to use fog and mist in their works.

So you may have discussed things like the fact that the fog and mist create mystery and unease.

So we know when we're reading a text, as soon as we hear that kind of fog and mist, it creates this atmosphere of mystery and unease, it kind of signals that to us.

And it really heightens tension.

And it's got this idea of secrecy, hasn't it? If you think about fog and mist, it hides things, it conceals things.

So it gives us this idea of secrecy and tension.

And it adds an element of danger and foreboding.

Again, you know, this idea that it hides, or you can be hidden in it or even get lost in it, again, adds this element of danger and foreboding.

And it can isolate characters.

So fog and mist can be used to isolate characters which, again, increases this feeling of being trapped or lost.

So, again, it really adds to that atmosphere and the feelings created.

So what I would like you to do now is I'd like you to do some reading.

So we're going to read "The Twisted Tree" from pages 44 to the end of 63, so make sure you've found that in your copy.

So the first thing you were going to do is read those pages.

And then what I would like you to do is I'd like you to complete the following tasks.

So the first thing is to think about pages 60 to 62.

So in this chapter, we have a longer description of the tree surrounded by fog on pages 60 to 62.

What I would like you to do, please, I'd like you first to come up with three relevant adjectives to describe the tree.

I'd then like you to answer this question, how does the writer make the tree so terrifying and supernatural? And finally, can you find two quotes that prove your ideas? So you are reading "The Twisted Tree," and then you are completing those tasks.

Okay, so make sure you have everything you need to complete the task.

And when you're ready, pause the video and get these done, and then we will feedback in a moment.

Pause the video, off you go.

Okay, thank you so much.

That description of fog is great, isn't it? It really does, like you can almost feel it around you.

And it really emphasises how Stig and Martha are feeling very fraught and anxious, it's such a great description.

So let's just feedback on the tasks, I'm gonna give you some suggestions as to how you could have completed these tasks.

Again, you may have something different and that's absolutely fine, you can just use these as some ideas.

So the first, come up with three relevant adjectives to describe the tree.

So the examples I have are sinister, menacing, and otherworldly, but what did you come up with? Maybe you have something different, maybe you have something even better.

And then, how does the writer make the tree so terrifying and supernatural? So you may have considered the fog, I'm gonna keep going on about that mist and fog because it's covered in it, it's absolutely covered in fog, which could symbolise secrecy and mystery.

It's like it's hiding a dark secret.

You know, it's shrouded in this fog, which kind of conceals something and adds to that mystery.

It's also, in this description, in this chapter in the description, there's a description of its size and position, which makes it seem really sinister.

It's isolated, it stands on its own.

And it has this kind of looming, oversized presence, which adds to its threatening and dominating presence, doesn't it? So definitely, the size and position, and how the writer chooses to describe this adds to its quite dominating presence.

And the smell, yes, there is this putrid smell being described.

And, again, it hints to this idea of death and adding to its dark secret.

So linking the tree to this idea of death and decomposition and rotting.

So, can you find two quotes that prove your ideas? So you may have come up with the following, so these are some suggestions.

So on page 61, the writer uses the words gnarled and menacing to describe the tree.

Again, hinting at how ancient it is, but also how it's got this kind of menacing, foreboding presence.

You may have picked up on page 62, the writer describes a darkness that emanates from inside the tree.

And it suggested it's almost like it is living, it's got this presence in it, it's living, there's something happening with it.

Page 62, the writer uses personification.

So the writer describes the tree's heart, which is pulsating and, again, links this idea that it's living, again, it feels quite threatening.

And then also on page 62, there is a description of the stench, okay? And the stench is described as smelling like decay and bodies that are decomposing.

You know, Martha that acts with revulsion, which again links this tree to decay, decomposition, stench, and something bad.

It's making Martha feel like quite repulse, quite sick.

Okay, so we have done our reading, and now we are going to work on some discussion as we discuss "The Twisted Tree".

So firstly, I want us to consider, what makes an effective and productive discussion? Okay, what makes an effective and productive discussion? So pause the video to discuss your answers to this question and we'll feedback in a moment, off you go.

Okay, thank you for your suggestions.

We have our Oak pupils here who are going to feedback the answers, or some suggestions.

Let's say they are suggestions, they're going to feedback their suggestions.

And maybe you just thought of similar things.

So Aisha here says that "It is important in a discussion to take turns," absolutely.

So this means not interrupting the other speaker.

So also by not interrupting and taking turns, it shows you are listening to the other person in the discussion.

So that makes it really effective and makes it really productive.

So another thing that makes an effective and productive discussion is to develop your points or arguments by using evidence or examples.

And I think that's a really good point because we want our discussions to be developed, we want them to be interesting.

We don't just want them to be yes or no answers, so using evidence can really help that.

And then finally, responding to the other speaker.

Absolutely, and this means listening to what they are saying, as well as thinking about your own points.

And I think responding in a discussion is a really important thing to think about.

And in a moment, we're going to look at some strategies in how you can respond in a discussion, again, moving away from just yes or no answers.

So sometimes it can be difficult, can't it, to know how to respond to another speaker or develop the points being made? So even I sometimes struggle if I'm in a discussion to make a point.

So I want us to think about how we can do that, how we can respond to another speaker.

So what I find really useful is using A, B, C.

Okay, so when I'm responding to someone, I'm thinking, am I gonna pick A? Am I gonna pick B? Am I gonna pick C? And this means this, okay, it means you choose one of the following options.

It means you might choose to agree with their comment, it means you might choose to build on their comment, or it might mean even that you choose to challenge their comment.

And what you can also use within these are these phrases to help.

So, again, if you're really struggling to know how to respond to someone, if you've got these phrases, they will encourage you to respond and develop what you are about to say.

So if you've decided to agree, you can say something like, "I agree because." So, again, it's inviting you to develop what you are saying.

I agree because, and then you have to explain why.

"I share the same viewpoint because." Again, you have to explain why, you have to complete that sentence.

So it's inviting you to develop your response.

You might choose to build on the comment.

So you could say something like, "Expanding on this, I would add that." Or, "Another aspect to consider would be." And that second phrase there, another aspect to consider would be, almost changes the direction of the discussion slightly, which, again, can really help to develop and move the discussion forward in a productive way.

And then finally, you might want to challenge, but we want to challenge politely, don't we? So using phrases like "I see it differently because," and "It's worth questioning whether," allows you to challenge the other person you are in discussion with in a polite way, okay? And it still moves the conversation, the discussion forward in a productive way.

Okay, we have three comments here and I would like you to label them, please.

Do they agree, do they build, or do they challenge? Let's read the comments together first, and then you can decide whether they are A, B, or C, agree, build, or challenge.

So the first one, expanding on this, the use of fog adds to the feeling of isolation and fear.

I share the same viewpoint because words like gnarled reveal that the tree is ancient.

It is worth questioning the use of cliffhangers at the end of each chapter, perhaps the writer relies too heavily on them.

So which one's which? Which one agrees? Which one builds? And which one challenges? Off you go.

Are we ready to share the answers? Okay, lots of you feeling confident, so let's see who got it right.

So the first one is build, they're building on the previous comment.

And we can see that from expanding on this, and then we've got that specific example of the use of fog.

The next one, what do we think? Agree.

I share, so it's telling us that it's agreeing with that comment.

I share the same viewpoint because, and then this person goes on to explain why they agree, which means the final one must be challenge.

It is worth questioning.

So, again, they are questioning, challenging the other person's point.

But remember, we're doing it in a polite and respectful way.

So as we have seen in some of the examples already, an effective discussion will use evidence to develop the points being made.

So we've thought about how we can use agree, build, and challenge to develop a response to another person, but we could develop that even further by using evidence and these phrases.

So these phrases can help, more specifically, more precisely, and in particular.

So let's see how those work.

So more specifically becomes, more specifically, the personification of the tree makes it seem as if it is alive, adding to its menacing presence.

So you can see here, more specifically, it's kind of forcing the person discussing to pick a specific moment from the text to use as evidence.

Okay, so you can see more specifically, you then have to choose something to talk about.

More precisely, so more precisely, using words like gnarled and menacing emphasises the tree's sinister and threatening existence.

So, again, more precisely is inviting you to pick specific evidence from the text.

In this case, in this discussion, they have used particular word choices.

So more precisely is a really lovely way of doing that.

And then finally, in particular, the writer's use of mist and fog seems to symbolise the dark secrets that reside in the tree's hollows.

So, again, you can see how using those phrases really help to develop your discussions by focusing on specific evidence from the text.

So you can see how doing all of these things moves you away from just saying yes or no, and also takes some of the guesswork out, doesn't it? Because if you know, oh, I've got to just pick one of these or use this phrase, it's gonna help you not have to think entirely from scratch.

And the more you do it, the easier it gets, I promise, practise makes perfect.

And with that in mind, we are going to do some practising now.

So we are on our second practise task, and what I would like you to do, please, is to discuss and debate the statements using evidence from "The Twisted Tree." So these are the statements.

The twisted tree is a huge presence in the novel, it's almost like a second protagonist.

And the second statement is, it's difficult to trust any of the characters in the novel, this reflects Martha's own experiences.

So remember, you've got those A, B, C phrases to help develop your discussions, so use those to respond.

And then finally, our adding evidence.

We've got our more specifically, more precisely, and in particular.

So you've got all of those wonderful phrases there to really help you discuss and debate these statements in a developed way.

Okay, so you're definitely gonna need to pause the video so you've got plenty of time to discuss and debate the statements.

And I look forward to feeding back in a moment.

Pause the video, and off you go.

Excellent work everyone, some really lively discussions and debates happening there, so well done.

I loved hearing how you were using some of those phrases to really develop those responses.

And not just using a yes or a no or an I agree, you are developing them and using those, more specifically, more precisely, in particular to add specific evidence from the text.

Really, well done and remember, the more you do it, the easier it becomes.

So let's just look, I've chosen some of Izzy's discussion here, so let's look at what it says.

So Izzy has said, expanding on this, I would add that the writer's description of the tree almost makes it feel like it is alive and human.

A lovely point from Izzy there.

Now, Izzy has been given a what went well, and an even better if, and it looks like this.

So the what went well is, there is a good use of build phrases to develop the discussion.

So Izzy uses expanding on this, which is fantastic.

But Izzy could make this even better if she included evidence from "The Twisted Tree," using those phrases such as more precisely or more specifically.

So, what I would like you to do now is think about your own discussions.

And can you give yourself a what went well, and an even better if? So, what went well about your discussions? And how can you improve them? So even better if.

Pause the video to complete this feedback task, off you go.

Okay, that means we have reached the end of the lesson.

Well done everyone, you've done some excellent work today.

Let's just remind ourselves of everything that we have learned.

So we know that Yrsa and Olav, the neighbours, are concerned that Martha is at the house alone.

Martha sees a picture of her ancestors who conjure spells.

Martha feels Mormor's clothes, and realises she died in anguish.

We know that fog in literature often symbolises secrecy or foreboding.

And in that final part of the lesson, we now know that effective discussions will take turns, develop ideas, use evidence, and respond to another speaker.

Great work everyone, good job.

Can't wait to do it all again soon, so please do join me again for another lesson.

And I will see you then.

Okay, goodbye.