Planning the build up of 'A Christmas Carol'
I can generate precise vocabulary to plan two paragraphs for the build-up of 'A Christmas Carol'.
Planning the build up of 'A Christmas Carol'
I can generate precise vocabulary to plan two paragraphs for the build-up of 'A Christmas Carol'.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The build-up of ‘A Christmas Carol’ creates an eerie atmosphere leading up to the Ghost of Marley appearing.
- A key feature of the build-up is the building of suspense for the reader.
- The build-up will be written over two paragraphs where the suspense gradually increases.
- The use of precise vocabulary describing a range of sensory details helps to convey an eerie atmosphere.
- The use of ‘show and tell’ to describe Scrooge’s experiences conveys his emotions and supports in building suspense.
Keywords
Build-up - the building of action and suspense that leads up to the climax in a narrative
Suspense - a state of feeling excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen
Sensory details - descriptions that include touch, sight, taste, sound and smell
'show and tell' - a writing technique for showing a character’s feelings with description of their actions and expressions
Common misconception
Children may struggle to develop their own ideas for 'show and tell' to convey Scrooge's emotions.
Ask the children to recall a time when they have felt the emotions Scrooge does (e.g. nervousness or fear) and ask them what kind of physical sensations they experience during these moments. Examples to offer might be 'clammy hands' or 'tight chest'.
To help you plan your year 4 english lesson on: Planning the build up of 'A Christmas Carol', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 4 english lesson on: Planning the build up of 'A Christmas Carol', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 english lessons from the 'A Christmas Carol': narrative writing and reading unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
musty scent of untouched, dusty rooms
flickering shadows cast by the candlelight
the taste of stale, bitter air
icy draft blew through the narrow hallways
soft creaking of ageing floorboards
Scrooge felt a tingling sensation throughout his body.
Scrooge shook uncontrollably, unable to speak a word.
Scrooge’s body relaxed and he exhaled deeply.