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Year 4

Planning an emotive narrative scene in 'Whale Rider'

I can plan an emotive narrative scene in the climax of 'Whale Rider'.

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New
New
Year 4

Planning an emotive narrative scene in 'Whale Rider'

I can plan an emotive narrative scene in the climax of 'Whale Rider'.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Link copied to clipboard

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The purpose of climactic writing is to take the drama to the highest point of tension to evoke emotions in the reader.
  2. A very emotive scene in ‘Whale Rider’ describes Paikea's encounter with stranded whales on a beach.
  3. Precise and ambitious vocabulary, including 'show-not-tell' language, is used to convey an emotive atmosphere.
  4. Direct speech and characters' inner thoughts are used to convey their emotions.
  5. Notes in a plan should not be written in full sentences and bullet points can be used to make notes clear.

Keywords

  • Emotive - evoking intense feelings or emotions

  • Plan - a framework that writers create before they write a section or whole text

  • Ambitious vocabulary - high-level language in writing that meets the text purpose

Common misconception

An emotive piece of narrative can sometimes overuse melodrama, exaggerating characters' feelings and actions too much.

Ensure that pupils' representations of characters’ emotions and reactions are believable and consistent with their personalities.


To help you plan your year 4 english lesson on: Planning an emotive narrative scene in 'Whale Rider', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

This scene is based on the part of the film where Paikea forms a deep connection with the whales. Her ability to communicate with the whales and lead them back to the sea symbolises her rightful place as their leader. Capture stills from this scene for the key moments that writing will be based on.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You must have access to the film 'Whale Rider' (South Pacific Pictures, 2002) to complete this unit. Images of the characters and scenes from the film will be helpful.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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.
Put the sections of a narrative in order.
1 - opening
2 - build-up
3 - climax
4 - resolution
Q2.
What is a plan?
a written paragraph
a final piece of writing
Correct answer: a framework that writers create before they write
a writer's first ideas they say
Q3.
Which of the following is a full sentence?
The rough, barnacle-covered skin.
Correct answer: She touched the rough, barnacle-covered skin of the whale.
The rough, barnacle-covered skin of the whale.
She and the rough, barnacle-covered skin of the whale.
Q4.
Match the word classes to their definitions.
Correct Answer:verb,a doing, being or having word

a doing, being or having word

Correct Answer:adjective,a word that describes a noun

a word that describes a noun

Correct Answer:adverb,a word that describes a verb

a word that describes a verb

Correct Answer:noun,a person, place or thing

a person, place or thing

Q5.
What language structure is the following an example of? 'Her eyes widened in alarm.'
subordinate adverbial clause
Correct answer: 'show-not-tell' language
simile
expanded noun phrase
Q6.
Match each word class to its example.
Correct Answer:noun,ocean

ocean

Correct Answer:adjective,helpless

helpless

Correct Answer:verb,raced

raced

Correct Answer:adverb,gently

gently

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
True or false? A plan should be written in full sentences.
Correct Answer: false, False
Q2.
Put the four key moments of the emotive scene in the climax in chronological order.
1 - One night, some whales become stranded on a beach.
2 - Members of the tribe arrive to try to save the whales, but they are not able to.
3 - The villagers start to leave the beach.
4 - Paikea communicates with the lead whale and they start moving.
Q3.
Which of the following is an example of Paikea's inner thoughts when she saw the stranded whales?
“There is nothing else we can do!” Koro declared despairingly.
Her pulse was racing with a mixture of fear and determination.
Correct answer: She knew she had to do something.
Tears were streaming down her face.
Q4.
Which of the following is an example of direct speech?
Was this a sign or a challenge from the ancestors?
The sun was rising over the small coastal village.
Correct answer: ''This is not your fight,” Koro pleaded hopelessly.
With a resolute calm, she closed her eyes.
Q5.
Match each word class to its example.
Correct Answer:adjective,rhythmic

rhythmic

Correct Answer:noun,night

night

Correct Answer:adverb,alarmingly

alarmingly

Correct Answer:verb,streamed

streamed

Q6.
What are the purposes of the climax of a narrative?
to bring the story to a close
to introduce the characters
Correct answer: to bring the tension to the highest point
Correct answer: to evoke emotions in the reader