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Year 6

Writing the first half of a setting description in 'Sherlock Holmes'

I can write the first half of a setting description in 'Sherlock Holmes'.

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Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 6

Writing the first half of a setting description in 'Sherlock Holmes'

I can write the first half of a setting description in 'Sherlock Holmes'.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Writing is most successful when structure, content and vocabulary is planned.
  2. Oral rehearsal is an important step in the writing process.
  3. Fronted adverbials of place, prepositions and precise vocabulary paint the picture for a reader.
  4. Complex sentences can be used to show the connections between ideas.
  5. We can show the historical context of our setting by referring to items from the time period.

Common misconception

Pupils may struggle to convert notes into complete sentences.

Provide lots of time for oral rehearsal at each stage of the lesson and ensure children have access to vocabulary and plans used earlier in the unit.

Keywords

  • Fronted adverbial of place - a sentence starter that tells the reader where something is or happens

  • Preposition - word or words that tell the reader where a noun is

  • Complex sentence - a sentence composed of a main clause and any subordinate clause

  • Historical context - the events, lifestyle and living conditions that existed at a particular time in history

If pupils are not secure in using complex sentences, refer to our Year 6 Grammar unit 'Using five sentence types'. One slide is left lined so that you can complete shared writing with the class. You may wish to do this for the second paragraph too.
Teacher tip

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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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these sentences are in a present tense?
A nauseating stench rose from the open sewers.
A nauseating stench was rising from the open sewers.
Correct answer: A nauseating stench rises from the open sewers.
Correct answer: A nauseating stench is rising from the open sewers.
Q2.
Which of the following are preposition phrases?
Correct answer: into a narrow alleyway
a narrow alleyway
Correct answer: through the dilapidated slums
the dilapidated slums
Q3.
Which words in the following sentence are adjectives? 'Imposing buildings tower over serene streets.'
Correct answer: imposing
tower
streets
Correct answer: serene
Q4.
Which of the following descriptions shows the use of the 'seeing' sense?
Correct answer: On one side of the street, an open sewer overflows with human waste.
On one side of the street, an open sewer gives off a vile stench.
On one side of the street, market vendors bellow loudly.
Q5.
Which description best shows the luxurious mood of wealthy Victorian London?
Dilapidated museums tower over deserted streets.
Correct answer: Imposing museums line serene, tree-lined streets full of purposeful businessmen.
Museums and theatres loom over the havoc of the streets.
Q6.
Which adjectives below best suit a description of the slums?
Correct answer: dilapidated
imposing
serene
Correct answer: nauseating

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following are complex sentences?
Correct answer: The metropolis spreads in all directions as the river winds through it.
Correct answer: The city, which is vast, spreads for miles in all directions.
The vast city spreads for miles in all directions.
Correct answer: The city is vast, spreading for miles in all directions.
Q2.
Which sentence starts with a fronted adverbial?
Correct answer: On every corner, urchins are begging for scraps.
Urchins are begging for scraps on every corner.
Urchins beg for scraps as they sit on the corner.
Q3.
What features can be seen in the following sentence? 'On the other, the dilapidated slums huddle, overflowing with misery.'
Correct answer: non-finite (-ing) subordinate clause
Correct answer: fronted adverbial of place
Correct answer: historical context
relative subordinate clause
Q4.
What features can be seen in the following sentence? 'Market vendors bellow as an omnibus trundles past, clattering across the cobbles.'
relative subordinate clause
Correct answer: adverbial subordinate clause
Correct answer: historical context
Correct answer: using senses
Q5.
What type of complex sentence has been used to combine these two ideas in the following sentence? 'The river snakes through London, winding lazily through the chaos.'
a relative complex sentence
an adverbial complex sentence
Correct answer: a non-finite complex sentence
Q6.
Which sentences contain a preposition phrase?
Correct answer: A gang of ruffians is waiting in a dark alleyway.
Gas lamps flicker as criminals skulk.
Correct answer: Criminals skulk under flickering gas lamps.
A gang of ruffians waits patiently.