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Year 4

Presenting a narrative based on 'The Borrowers'

I can present a section of the build-up of ‘The Borrowers’.

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New
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Year 4

Presenting a narrative based on 'The Borrowers'

I can present a section of the build-up of ‘The Borrowers’.

Download all resources
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Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A range of skills are involved in presenting to ensure that the audience are engaged and understand you.
  2. Building suspense for the audience is the main purpose when presenting a section of a narrative build-up.
  3. Eye contact, projection and diction are important for ensuring the audience can hear and understand you.
  4. Pace, body language and tone are crucial for conveying the atmosphere and a character’s emotions in a narrative.
  5. Pace, body language and tone can be altered in different ways to support the building of suspense.

Keywords

  • Presenting - the act of verbally sharing something with an audience

  • Projection - using our voice to speak powerfully and clearly

  • Pace - the speed or rhythm at which we speak

  • Body language - how we use movements and gestures to communicate meaning and feelings

  • Tone - the pitch of our voice and how this is used to convey a message appropriately

Common misconception

Pupils may speak very quickly, quietly and not look up from their page when presenting their narrative writing.

Techniques for effective presenting are explicitly identified, explained and modelled throughout both learning cycles.

Children should read over and edit their narrative writing prior to this lesson to ensure it is coherent and meets the purpose of building suspense. The starter quiz includes questions on sentence structure to support and prepare children for making any necessary changes to their writing.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You need a copy of the 2014 Puffin Books edition of ‘The Borrowers’ by Mary Norton for this lesson.

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).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the sentence type to the correct definition.
Correct Answer:simple sentence,a sentence about one idea that makes complete sense

a sentence about one idea that makes complete sense

Correct Answer:compound sentence,a sentence formed of two main clauses and a joining word

a sentence formed of two main clauses and a joining word

Correct Answer:adverbial complex sentence,a sentence formed of a main clause and an adverbial subordinate clause

a sentence formed of a main clause and an adverbial subordinate clause

Q2.
Which of the following are coordinating conjunctions used to form a compound sentence?
Correct answer: and
when
Correct answer: or
Correct answer: but
as
Q3.
Which coordinating conjunctions do you need to place a comma before?
and
Correct answer: or
Correct answer: but
Q4.
When do you need a comma in an adverbial complex sentence?
always
Correct answer: when the adverbial subordinate clause comes first
never
when the adverbial subordinate clause comes second
Q5.
What is presenting?
Correct answer: the act of verbally sharing something with an audience
the act of writing something out neatly
the act of listening to and watching a performance
Q6.
Which of the following should we try to do when presenting in front of an audience?
Correct answer: Speak loudly and clearly.
Correct answer: Make eye contact with the audience.
Look at the piece of paper all the way through.
Correct answer: Vary your voice and use expression.
Speak in the same tone throughout.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the key element of presentation to what it refers to.
Correct Answer:volume and projection,the quantity or power of sound

the quantity or power of sound

Correct Answer:diction,the pronunciation of words clearly

the pronunciation of words clearly

Correct Answer:eye contact,looking into the eyes of the audience

looking into the eyes of the audience

Q2.
Match the key element of presentation to what it refers to.
Correct Answer:pace,the speed at which we speak

the speed at which we speak

Correct Answer:body language,the use of movements and gestures to communicate

the use of movements and gestures to communicate

Correct Answer:tone,the pitch of a voice

the pitch of a voice

Q3.
Projection involves...
Correct answer: using the stomach muscles when speaking.
shouting.
speaking in a high-pitched voice.
Correct answer: taking deep breaths before speaking.
Q4.
Speaking at an appropriate pace and with clear diction is important because…
Correct answer: it helps the audience understand the words we are saying.
Correct answer: changes in pace can convey greater meaning to the audience.
it helps to make the audience like us.
Q5.
Why are eye contact and body language important when presenting a narrative?
It helps us to focus on reading the words from the page.
Correct answer: Eye contact helps us connect with the entire audience.
Correct answer: Body languages conveys the appropriate meaning.
It makes the audience laugh.
Q6.
Why are tone and intonation important when presenting a narrative?
Correct answer: It is important to use a tone that conveys the right atmosphere.
Your tone and intonation help the audience understand you.
Correct answer: They can be used to communicate meaning and emphasis.
They make the presentation funny for the audience.