Planning a section of a narrative based on 'The Borrowers'
I can plan a section of the build-up of 'The Borrowers'.
Planning a section of a narrative based on 'The Borrowers'
I can plan a section of the build-up of 'The Borrowers'.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The purpose of the build-up is to build action and suspense leading up to the climax.
- In this section of the build-up, Arrietty sets off on her first borrowing expedition and reaches the infamous clock.
- A range of precise and ambitious vocabulary is used to describe key moments in the build-up.
- ‘Show and tell’ language shows a character’s feelings by describing their actions, body language and facial expressions.
- A plan contains precise vocabulary, is written in note format and follows a sequence of events.
Keywords
Build-up - the building of action and suspense that leads up to the climax in a narrative
Suspense - when you are feeling anxious or excited about what may happen
'show and tell' - a writing technique for showing a character’s feelings with description of their actions and expressions
Plan - a framework that writers create before they write a section or whole text
Common misconception
Children may struggle to develop appropriate 'show and tell' language for a range of emotions.
Identify the emotions of characters during this section first and ask children to imagine how they might convey that feeling. E.g. Homily is feeling stubborn and firm. 'Show and tell' for this might be: She gave Pod a stern and silent look.
To help you plan your year 4 english lesson on: Planning a section of a narrative based on 'The Borrowers', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 4 english lesson on: Planning a section of a narrative based on 'The Borrowers', 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. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 english lessons from the 'The Borrowers': narrative writing and reading unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2014 Puffin Books edition of ‘The Borrowers’ by Mary Norton for this lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
the building of action and suspense that leads up to the climax
when you are feeling anxious or excited about what may happen
a framework that writers create before writing a section or whole text
passages
winding
carefully
followed