Writing a section of a narrative based on 'The Borrowers'
I can write a section of the build-up of 'The Borrowers'.
Writing a section of a narrative based on 'The Borrowers'
I can write 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
- In this section of the build-up, suspense is built around Arrietty setting off on her first borrowing expedition.
- The use of precise and ambitious vocabulary, including ‘show and tell’ language supports the building of suspense.
- Using a range of sentence types, including adverbial complex sentences, supports text flow.
- An adverbial clause begins with a subordinating conjunction.
- An adverbial clause is joined with a main clause to form an adverbial complex sentence.
Keywords
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
Subordinating conjunction - a word that starts an adverbial clause
Adverbial clause - a type of subordinate clause that starts with a subordinating conjunction
Adverbial complex sentence - a sentence formed of a main clause and an adverbial subordinate clause
Common misconception
Pupils may use repetitive language choices.
Exposing pupils to a range of synonyms and ambitious vocabulary in the teacher model will support with language variation.
To help you plan your year 4 english lesson on: Writing 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: Writing 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
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a word that starts an adverbial clause
a type of subordinate clause starting with a subordinating conjunction
a sentence formed of a main clause and an adverbial subordinate clause
a sentence made of just one main clause with just one idea
a sentence formed of two main clauses and a coordinating conjunction
a sentence formed of a main clause and an adverbial subordinate clause
at that time
at the same time
to show effect