Reading ‘The Twisted Tree’: the presence of the tree
I can make judgements and effectively discuss statements about a text.
Reading ‘The Twisted Tree’: the presence of the tree
I can make judgements and effectively discuss statements about a text.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Yrsa and Olav, the neighbours, are concerned that Martha is at the house alone.
- Martha sees a picture of her ancestors who conjure spells.
- Martha feels Mormor's clothes and realises she died in anguish.
- Fog in literature often symbolises secrecy or foreboding.
- The tree seems unnatural and decaying.
Keywords
Formidable - causing fear or dread
Furtive - behaving or acting in a secret or sly way
Erratic - irregular or lacking consistency
Scrutiny - intense observation or examination
Anguish - an extreme sense of anger, resulting in murderous thoughts
Common misconception
That discussions are just 'chats' and aren't that important.
Think about all of the times you may need to use your verbal skills e.g. an interview or presentation. Being able to articulate yourself well verbally is an important skill to have.
To help you plan your year 7 english lesson on: Reading ‘The Twisted Tree’: the presence of the tree, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 7 english lesson on: Reading ‘The Twisted Tree’: the presence of the tree, 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 3 english lessons from the 'The Twisted Tree': fiction reading unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need access to the text 'The Twisted Tree' by Rachel Burge, published by Hot Key Books, 2019.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended