Myths about teaching can hold you back
- Year 4
Exploring characterisation in 'Hansel and Gretel'
I can analyse the characters in 'Hansel and Gretel'.
Copyrighted materials: to view and download resources from this lesson, you’ll need to
- Year 4
Exploring characterisation in 'Hansel and Gretel'
I can analyse the characters in 'Hansel and Gretel'.
Copyrighted materials: to view and download resources from this lesson, you’ll need to
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Characterisation is the way an author describes and develops the personalities and traits of the characters in a story.
- Authors use a range of methods for characterisation which the reader can analyse.
- In 'Hansel and Gretel', there is a clear conflict between good and evil characters.
- Anthony Browne uses illustrations to enhance his depiction of characters and convey hidden messages.
Keywords
Characterisation - the way an author describes and develops the personalities and traits of the characters in a story
Convey - to communicate a message directly or indirectly
Analyse - to examine something in detail in order to understand it
Common misconception
Children may only look at images of the characters themselves when trying to analyse them.
Anthony Browne leaves clues about characters throughout his illustrations, including in the settings.
To help you plan your year 4 English lesson on: Exploring characterisation in 'Hansel and Gretel', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 4 English lesson on: Exploring characterisation in 'Hansel and Gretel', 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.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the 'Hansel and Gretel': reading unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 1981 Walker Books Ltd edition of 'Hansel and Gretel' by Anthony Browne.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of upsetting content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
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