Exploring characterisation in 'Blackberry Blue'
I can explore characterisation within a text.
Exploring characterisation in 'Blackberry Blue'
I can explore characterisation within a text.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Characterisation is the way an author and illustrator develop the personalities and traits of the characters in a story.
- Authors and illustrators use a range of methods to convey characterisation.
- Stereotypes can often be found in traditional fairy tales.
- Stereotypes can include assumptions based on gender, age and culture.
- ‘Blackberry Blue’ addresses and challenges stereotypes through its storytelling and characterisation.
Keywords
Characterisation - the way an author describes and develops the personalities and traits of the characters in a story
Character traits - the special qualities that make a character in a story unique and interesting
Role on the wall - a character analysis activity which encourages readers to infer
Stereotype - a generalised and often unfair or untrue belief about a particular group of people or things
Common misconception
Pupils may believe that all traditional fairy tales include stereotypes.
Explain that stereotypes are formed as a result of many stories including similar features. Not all traditional tales include them. Stereotypes can also be found in contemporary texts too, which could be explored with pupils.
To help you plan your year 6 english lesson on: Exploring characterisation in 'Blackberry Blue', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 6 english lesson on: Exploring characterisation in 'Blackberry Blue', 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 'Blackberry Blue': reading unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2014 Tamarind edition of ‘Blackberry Blue and other fairy tales’, written by Jamila Gavin with illustrations by Richard Collingridge, for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
a low, protective wall along the edge of a roof
sounding sad or mournful
thorny shrub
Exit quiz
6 Questions
the way an author describes and develops characters within a story
special qualities that make a character unique and interesting
a character analysis activity which encourages readers to infer