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Year 6

Writing the first half of a narrative climax scene in 'When The Sky Falls'

I can write the first half of a narrative climax scene in ’When The Sky Falls’, using a range of techniques to build tension and show fast-paced action.

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Year 6

Writing the first half of a narrative climax scene in 'When The Sky Falls'

I can write the first half of a narrative climax scene in ’When The Sky Falls’, using a range of techniques to build tension and show fast-paced action.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Writing is most successful when structure, content and vocabulary are planned.
  2. Our climax should have a tense, fast-paced mood.
  3. We combine descriptive details and emotive details to paint a clear picture for the reader.
  4. We can use a range of linguistic techniques and cohesive devices for increasing the pace.
  5. We use precise vocabulary to add to the impression of speed.

Common misconception

Pupils may struggle to use the full range of cohesive devices and punctuation expected from them.

Our Y6 Grammar 'Revision' unit covers the full range of cohesive devices and punctuation expected of pupils in Year 6. You might wish to use these lessons to remind pupils of certain features they may wish to include.

Keywords

  • Climax - the point in the narrative where the suspense and excitement reach their highest point

  • Mood - the feeling or atmosphere in a section of text

  • Descriptive details - details that tell us what a character is experiencing (seeing, hearing, doing, smelling) during a scene

  • Emotive details - details that tell us what a character is feeling and thinking during a scene

  • Precise vocabulary - vocabulary chosen to create a particular impression or to have a particular effect on the reader

Model the oral rehearsal and allow plenty of time for pupils to practise saying their ideas aloud before writing.
Teacher tip

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).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which event will not be covered in our rewriting of part of the climax of 'When the Sky Falls'?
Joseph runs through the streets during the air raids.
Joseph climbs the fence, grabs the gun and trains it on Adonis.
Joseph is knocked down several times by explosions.
Correct answer: Joseph and Mrs F cry together.
Q2.
Match the techniques for using precise vocabulary with the examples.
Correct Answer:description with adjectives,ravenous bombers

ravenous bombers

Correct Answer:actions, including personification,attacked their prey

attacked their prey

Correct Answer:similes and metaphors,circled like vultures

circled like vultures

Correct Answer:'fast' words,swooping down from the sky

swooping down from the sky

Q3.
Which examples below use 'fast' words to help to add pace and speed to a narrative?
Correct answer: Joseph raced through the streets.
Eventually, he reached the gates of the zoo.
Correct answer: On every side, bombers flung down fire.
Correct answer: Flames raced across the dry ground towards him.
Q4.
Which features of a good narrative plan are shown in this note? 'Joseph knew he had to carry on.'
descriptive details about senses
Correct answer: details about emotions and thoughts
precise vocabulary to set a mood
details about characters' actions
Q5.
Which example uses show-not-tell to give us Joseph's emotions?
Correct answer: Joseph gritted his teeth and he heaved himself up.
Joseph knew he had to get up.
What would Mrs F say if he gave up now?
"Come on, Joseph - get up!"
Q6.
Match the example notes below to the features of a good narrative plan.
Correct Answer:descriptive details about senses,The air was thick with the choking scent of smoke.

The air was thick with the choking scent of smoke.

Correct Answer:details about emotions and thoughts,Would he make it there alive?

Would he make it there alive?

Correct Answer:precise vocabulary to set a mood,Explosions tore apart the night sky.

Explosions tore apart the night sky.

Correct Answer:details about characters' actions,Joseph dodged flying debris.

Joseph dodged flying debris.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the mood of the climax in 'When the Sky Falls'?
angry
lonely
Correct answer: tense
Correct answer: fast-paced
Q2.
What are Joseph's motivations in the climax?
Correct answer: to get to the zoo
Correct answer: to guard Adonis
to protect the zoo buildings
Correct answer: to keep his promise to Mrs F
Q3.
Match the features of writing a narrative climax to the examples.
Correct Answer:descriptive details,he felt the ground tremor

he felt the ground tremor

Correct Answer:emotive details,his heart was pounding

his heart was pounding

Correct Answer:precise vocabulary,he raced through hellish streets

he raced through hellish streets

Q4.
Which technique for increasing pace and tension is shown here? 'He pushed on. He had to. He had no choice.'
direct speech
rhetorical questions
Correct answer: succession of short simple sentences
verbless sentences
Q5.
Which cohesive device for increasing pace and tension is shown here? 'Just then, an explosion nearly knocked Joseph off his feet.'
colon to introduce a question
ellipsis to show tension
Correct answer: 'quick' fronted adverbial of time
semi-colons to give rapid description
Q6.
Which examples combine these two ideas correctly using cohesive devices? 'Joseph dashed through the chaos. He was determined to get to the zoo.'
Correct answer: Joseph, who was determined to get to the zoo, dashed through the chaos.
When Joseph was determined to get to the zoo, Joseph dashed through the chaos.
Joseph dashed through the chaos; determined to get to the zoo.
Correct answer: Joseph dashed through the chaos: he was determined to get to the zoo.