Writing the opening of 'A Christmas Carol'
I can write a narrative opening based on ‘A Christmas Carol’.
Writing the opening of 'A Christmas Carol'
I can write a narrative opening based on ‘A Christmas Carol’.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The introduction of Scrooge’s character greatly contrasts the general Christmas atmosphere in the opening.
- Precise vocabulary, including ‘show and tell’ and direct speech, conveys a character’s traits and feelings.
- Using a range of simple, compound and complex sentences supports text flow.
- A relative complex sentence uses a relative pronoun (who or which) to provide greater detail about a noun.
- Inverted commas are used to demarcate speech and a piece of punctuation separates speech from the reporting clause.
Keywords
Contrast - the comparison of two or more elements that are strikingly different
'show and tell' - a writing technique for showing a character’s feelings with description of their actions and expressions
Direct speech - the term used for a character speaking out loud in a text
Text flow - how a text is written to keep the reader engaged
Relative complex sentence - a sentence formed of a main clause and a relative subordinate clause
Common misconception
Children may assume that any mention of character speech is direct speech, because that has been the focus in the lesson.
Model how speech can still be indirectly reported within the opening alongside direct speech. E.g. 'Scrooge muttered insults at all those he passed.'
To help you plan your year 4 english lesson on: Writing the opening 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: Writing the opening 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.
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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.
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
a sentence made of just one main clause with just one idea
a sentence formed of two main clauses and a joining word
a sentence formed of at least one main clause and a subordinate clause
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a sentence made of just one main clause with just one idea
a sentence formed of two main clauses and a joining word
a sentence formed of a main clause and an adverbial subordinate clause
a sentence formed of a main clause and a relative subordinate clause