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Year 6

Developing understanding of 'Cloud Busting' through rich discussions

I can discuss the main ideas of 'Cloud Busting'.

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Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 6

Developing understanding of 'Cloud Busting' through rich discussions

I can discuss the main ideas of 'Cloud Busting'.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. ‘Cloud Busting’ focuses on the relationship between two ‘friends’: Davey and Sam.
  2. The story is told as a verse novel.
  3. ‘Cloud Busting’ uses both fixed verse and free verse poetry.
  4. ‘Cloud Busting’ is written in both the present and the past, through use of flashbacks.
  5. A range of poetic forms are used by the author including haikus, blank verse, limericks and concrete / shape poems.

Common misconception

A verse novel has to be fixed or free verse. It cannot contain both.

'Cloud Busting' has fixed and free verse poetry. The text includes a range of forms, including haikus, concrete poems and limericks.

Keywords

  • Verse novel - A verse novel is a narrative told through poetry, blending prose and poetic elements.

  • Form - Form is the way that a text can be presented.

  • Fixed verse - Fixed verse is poetry with a specific structure, rhyme, and metre.

  • Free verse - Free verse is poetry without strict rhyme or metre; it emphasises natural speech rhythms.

  • Theme - A theme is a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story.

Pupils must have read the text in advance of this lesson. Before the lesson, you might share examples of key poetic forms / devices with the class through shared reading time.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You need a copy of the 2020 Yearling edition of ‘Cloud Busting’, written by Malorie Blackman with illustrations by Helen van Vliet, for this lesson.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Based on the front cover, which of the following are likely to be poetry collections?
Correct answer: Rhythm and Poetry by Karl Nova
Foxlight by Katya Balen
Frost Hollow Hall by Emma Carroll
Correct answer: Happy Poems by Roger McGough
Q2.
A stanza is ...
the repetition of initial consonant sounds occurring in neighbouring words.
something that compares two things using 'like' or 'as'.
Correct answer: a group of lines within a poem that form a distinct unit.
Q3.
What is a suitable definition of the word compassion?
a feeling of deep satisfaction, self-worth or accomplishment
Correct answer: empathy and concern for others' suffering
the overwhelming sense of wonder, admiration
Q4.
Which of the following descriptions shows the emotion of jealousy?
Sofia's face lit up with happiness as she received the scholarship news.
Correct answer: Sam experienced a tinge of envy seeing her best friend in the lead role.
Izzy's eyes gleamed with desire at the prized item during the auction.
Andeep felt a nervous flutter as he awaited the outcome of the crucial interview
Q5.
Figurative language includes the use of ...
Correct answer: metaphor.
Correct answer: simile.
song lyrics.
graphic novels.
Correct answer: personification.
Q6.
Which of the following are forms of poetry?
Correct answer: haiku
simile
Correct answer: acrostic
Correct answer: shape / concrete poem
metaphor
Q1 image 1 Rhythm and Poetry, Karl Nova, Caboodle Books Limited Q1 image 2 Foxlight, Katya Balen, Barry Falls, Bloomsbury Q1 image 3 Frost hollow Hall, Emma Carroll, Faber & Faber Q1 image 4 Happy Poems: A Poetry Collection to Make You Smile!, Roger McGough, Macmillan Children's Books

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the following keywords to their definitions.
Correct Answer:verse novel,a narrative told through poetry, blending prose and poetic elements

a narrative told through poetry, blending prose and poetic elements

Correct Answer:form,the way that a text can be presented

the way that a text can be presented

Correct Answer:theme,a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story

a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story

Correct Answer:free verse,poetry without strict rhyme or metre

poetry without strict rhyme or metre

Q2.
Who is the author of 'Cloud Busting'?
Correct Answer: Malorie Blackman, malorie blackman
Q3.
Which of the following are common features found in a verse novel?
extended sections of dialogue
Correct answer: figurative language
Correct answer: line breaks
Correct answer: stanzas
lengthy paragraphs
Q4.
Which of the following are fixed verse forms of poetry?
Correct answer: concrete / shape poem
Correct answer: limerick
blank verse
free verse
Correct answer: haiku
Q5.
Which of the following are themes that can be identified in 'Cloud Busting'?
life and death
Correct answer: friendship
love
Correct answer: bullying
Correct answer: regret
Q6.
How many syllables are contained in a traditional haiku?
5
7
10
Correct answer: 17