New
New
Year 4

Retelling the story of 'Whale Rider'

I can retell the story of 'Whale Rider'.

New
New
Year 4

Retelling the story of 'Whale Rider'

I can retell the story of 'Whale Rider'.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. 'Whale Rider' tells the story of Paikea and the challenges she faces and overcomes as a young girl in a Maori tribe.
  2. A narrative can be structured into four key sections: the opening, the build-up, the climax and the resolution.
  3. Each part of a narrative has a specific purpose.
  4. We can use our voice, language choices and expression to retell a story effectively.
  5. When retelling a story, it is important to convey the appropriate tone at each point of the story.

Keywords

  • Sequencing - putting the events that occur in a story in order from the beginning to the end

  • Structure - the order of events within a narrative that gives it a coherent and engaging flow

  • Setting - where the story takes place

Common misconception

Sequencing and retelling a story only involves recounting the events in the exact order that they occurred.

Effective sequencing and retelling requires pupils to know the plot deeply and to understand some key themes that are threaded through it.

Pupils must have watched the film 'Whale Rider' prior to starting this unit. Ensure that visuals from key points in the film are captured and easily accessible in the lesson for sequencing and retelling.
Teacher tip

Equipment

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

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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6 Questions

Q1.
Where is the story 'Whale Rider' set?
Australia
Correct answer: New Zealand
New Guinea
Hawaii
Q2.
The film 'Whale Rider' was based on a book by whom?
J K Rowling
Roald Dahl
Correct answer: Witi Ihimaera
Dr Seuss
Q3.
'Haka' is a type of what?
food
Correct answer: dance
house
clothing
Q4.
True or false? Tattooing is traditionally practised by Maori people.
Correct Answer: true, True
Q5.
What is the traditional Maori tattoo art called?
Haka
Poi
Correct answer: Tā moko
Kapa haka
Q6.
In traditional Maori culture, what roles are women typically associated with?
hunting and fishing
Correct answer: weaving, caregiving and maintaining the household
leading war parties
building canoes and carving wood

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following is the word for where a story takes place?
sequencing
character
Correct answer: setting
retelling
Q2.
Which country does Paikea's father move to after she is born?
India
Correct answer: Germany
China
Egypt
Q3.
Which point in the story normally introduces the main character and sets the scene?
Correct answer: opening
build-up
climax
resolution
Q4.
Which of these sentences is most appropriate for the opening of 'Whale Rider'?
Koro wouldn't let Paikea join his lessons because she was a girl.
One day, a pod of whales became stranded on the beach.
Correct answer: In a beautiful village by the sea, a baby girl named Paikea was born.
Koro realised that Paikea was the true leader they had been waiting for.
Q5.
Which point in the story describes the main action and takes the suspense to its highest point?
opening
build-up
Correct answer: climax
resolution
Q6.
At which point in the story does Koro recognise Paikea as the leader and successor of the tribe?
opening
build-up
climax
Correct answer: resolution