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Year 5

Turning points in 'Oliver Twist'

I can explore how a turning point in a narrative affects a character’s emotions.

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New
New
Year 5

Turning points in 'Oliver Twist'

I can explore how a turning point in a narrative affects a character’s emotions.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Inferring meaning can help us to build our understanding of the story.
  2. A turning point in a narrative is a pivotal moment that significantly alters the course of the story.
  3. Turning points can evoke a range of emotions in the character.
  4. We can track a character’s emotions on an emotions graph.
  5. The author creates a turning point in the story by having a cliffhanger where Oliver is potentially fatally wounded.

Common misconception

Pupils may think that a character's emotions have to change drastically throughout a chapter.

In some chapters and with some characters, there will be less change as events that happen to them may not affect their emotions. You can explore this through the use of an emotions graph.

Keywords

  • Inference - Inference means to use clues from within the text to draw conclusions.

  • Turning point - A turning point in a narrative is a pivotal moment that significantly alters the course of the story or a character's journey.

  • Emotions graph - An emotions graph is a reading task where readers plot a character's feelings and emotions as they change throughout a narrative.

Monks is mentioned in this chapter. He is a character that plays a key role in the finale of the text. It would be useful to alert readers to the character's presence. Before the following lesson, read Chapters 10-16. Children can read independently or have this read to them. Note safeguarding.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You need a copy of the 2014 Oxford University Press edition of ‘Oliver Twist’ written by Geraldine McCaughrean, illustrated by Jeff Anderson, for this lesson.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of serious crime
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision required

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.
Match the adjectives to the character in 'Oliver Twist'.
Correct Answer:cunning, manipulative,Fagin

Fagin

Correct Answer:charismatic, streetwise,Artful Dodger

Artful Dodger

Correct Answer:kind, generous,Mr Brownlow

Mr Brownlow

Q2.
Where is Oliver on his way to when he is captured by Nancy and Bill Sikes?
the butchers
Correct answer: the bookshop
the market
the slums
Q3.
What is the name of Bill Sikes' dog that threatens Oliver?
Correct Answer: Bullseye, bullseye
Q4.
True or False? The character of Nancy has not changed since the reader first encountered her.
Correct Answer: False, false
Q5.
What is the most suitable definition of the word ramshackle?
brand new, perfectly clean or untouched
full of joy, very happy
Correct answer: crumbling, in a state of disrepair
Q6.
Here is an image of a Victorian scullery. Which present-day name do you think best fit its description?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: washing room
bedroom
hallway
Q6 'The Scullery, Bamburgh Castle, Bamburgh, England' by Billy Wilson Photography is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.

Exit quiz

Download exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the following keywords to their definitions.
Correct Answer:inference,to use clues from within the text to draw conclusions

to use clues from within the text to draw conclusions

Correct Answer:turning point,a pivotal moment that significantly alters the course of the story

a pivotal moment that significantly alters the course of the story

Correct Answer:emotions graph,a reading task where readers plot a character's feelings and emotions

a reading task where readers plot a character's feelings and emotions

Q2.
What do Crackitt and Sikes hope to do at the house in the countryside?
Correct answer: to steal valuables that do not belong to them
to look after farm animals
to find something that they had lost
Q3.
Match the locations to the characters that Oliver meets there.
Correct Answer:ramshackle hut in the countryside,Toby Crackitt

Toby Crackitt

Correct Answer:Pentonville, London,Mr. Brownlow, Mr. Grimwig

Mr. Brownlow, Mr. Grimwig

Correct Answer:the slums,Fagin, Artful Dodger

Fagin, Artful Dodger

Q4.
What happens to Oliver at the end of chapter 9?
Oliver is cared for.
Oliver runs away from Sikes.
Correct answer: Oliver is shot.
Oliver shouts for help.
Q5.
In which of the following sentences might a reader be able to infer criminal activity?
Correct answer: Someone bumped into me and my wallet was missing afterwards.
Vendors called out their wares in the bustling marketplace.
Correct answer: There was a broken window and things missing from the house.
The sun cast a warm glow over the cobblestone streets.
Q6.
True or False? Turning points in a text can only be positive.
Correct Answer: False, false