New
New
Year 6

Exploring characterisation in 'Coming To England'

I can compare characterisation across a series of events.

New
New
Year 6

Exploring characterisation in 'Coming To England'

I can compare characterisation across a series of events.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Both of Floella's parents leave for England. Floella and three siblings are split and live with guardians.
  2. Migration to England during the Windrush period (1948-1971) was driven by a combination of factors.
  3. Floella's characterisation changes as a result of the circumstances she now finds herself in.
  4. Characterisation is the way an author & illustrator describe and develop the personalities and traits of the characters.

Common misconception

Pupils may think that character traits remain fixed throughout the narrative.

Character traits do not usually stay static. Adults could display a 'roll on the wall' to note changes in characterisation of Floella as pupils progress through the narrative.

Keywords

  • Pull factor - Pull factors refer to the attractive aspects or opportunities that draw individuals to a new destination.

  • Compare - Comparing involves identifying similarities between two or more things, ideas, themes, or texts.

  • Characterisation - Characterisation is the way an author describes and develops the personalities and traits of the characters in a story.

  • Character traits - Character traits are the special qualities that make a character in a story unique and interesting.

Floella's response to bullying is very confrontational. You may wish to discuss alternatives during the lesson or as part of PSHE. Before the following lesson, read Chapters 7,8 and 9. Children can read independently or have this read to them.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You need a copy of the 2021 Macmillan Children’s Book edition of ‘Coming to England’ written by Floella Benjamin, illustrated by Joelle Avelino, for this lesson.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

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).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold. 'Coming to England' is an autobiographical memwar.
memwoir
Correct answer: memoir
meemoir
Q2.
True or False? Floella's early childhood was very positive.
Correct Answer: True, true
Q3.
True or False? The weather in Trinidad was very cold.
Correct Answer: False, false
Q4.
Match the word to its definition.
Correct Answer:calypso,Caribbean music style

Caribbean music style

Correct Answer:tropical,warm, lush, exotic climate

warm, lush, exotic climate

Correct Answer:irresistable,tempting, captivating, impossible to resist

tempting, captivating, impossible to resist

Q5.
Match the word to its definition.
Correct Answer:casket,a burial box, someone or something is buried in

a burial box, someone or something is buried in

Correct Answer:contented,to be satisfied or fulfilled

to be satisfied or fulfilled

Correct Answer:mourn,to express grief or sorrow

to express grief or sorrow

Q6.
Look at the map. Which of the following places are located in Trinidad?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: San Fernando
Scarborough
Correct answer: Princes Town
Puerto Rico
Correct answer: Port of Spain
Q6 "Trinidad and Tobago - Location Map (2013) - TTO - UNOCHA" by UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is licensed under CC BY 3.0.

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the following keywords to their definitions.
Correct Answer:comparing,identifying similarities between two or more things

identifying similarities between two or more things

Correct Answer:characterisation,the way an author describes a character's behaviour or personality

the way an author describes a character's behaviour or personality

Correct Answer:character traits,qualities that make a character in a story unique and interesting

qualities that make a character in a story unique and interesting

Q2.
Which of the following were pull factors for Floella's father in his decision to leave Trinidad for England?
Correct answer: Dardie was keen to return to playing jazz music.
The family would all be together.
Correct answer: There were more opportunities to improve life for the family.
Floella's father would not leave their home country.
Q3.
Match Floella's siblings to the location where they ended up moving to when her parents moved to England.
Correct Answer:Cynthia,England

England

Correct Answer:Lester,San Fernando

San Fernando

Correct Answer:Sandra,Tonapuna

Tonapuna

Q4.
True or False? Floella had plenty of energy while at her new school.
Correct Answer: False, false
Q5.
Referring to page 47, what does the word 'vetted' mean?
to take an animal to a vets
Correct answer: to examine something closely and critically
to not notice any details
Q6.
Which adjectives would most appropriately describe Floella at the end of Chapter 6?
happy
enthusiastic
hopeful
Correct answer: disheartened
Correct answer: upset