Planning a section of a narrative based on 'The Borrowers' (part 2)
I can plan a section of the build-up of ‘The Borrowers’.
Planning a section of a narrative based on 'The Borrowers' (part 2)
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 explores the outside world and spots the eye of a human “bean”.
- The atmosphere and Arrietty’s emotions shift after she spots the eye.
- A range of precise and ambitious vocabulary, including ‘show and tell’ language, is used to describe key moments.
- ‘Show and tell’ language shows a character’s feelings by describing their actions, body language and facial expressions.
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
Atmosphere - the tone or mood created in a text
'show and tell' - a writing technique for showing a character’s feelings with description of their actions and expressions
Common misconception
Children may struggle to ensure their 'show and tell' language is appropriate for each paragraph. For example, paragraph one is meant to convey concern but not complete fear yet.
Model different examples of 'show and tell'. Ask children to identify whether they convey concern or fear. E.g. for concern, we might say 'chest tightened slightly at the strange sight'. For fear, we might say, 'heart pounded rapidly in her chest'.
To help you plan your year 4 english lesson on: Planning a section of a narrative based on 'The Borrowers' (part 2), 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' (part 2), 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
a word that names a person, place, thing or idea
a word that describes a noun
a doing or being word
a word that describes or gives more information about a verb
freedom
glassy
surged
closely