Natasha Bowen's ‘Skin of the Sea’: understanding the extract

English

In 'Myths and Legends Re-Told', pupils explore how they can alter traditional stories to convey modern ideas and morals. In 'Animal Farm: the Pigs and Power', pupils learn about Orwell's allegory and understand how he uses an apparently simple fairy story to convey a political message. 

In 'Step Into the Unknown', pupils look at the ways in which famous children's writers create convincing settings, particularly through descriptions of windows and doors. In 'Myths and Legends Re-Told', pupils take inspiration from the ways in which writers and poets use powerful imagery and symbolism, to inspire their own writing. 

In this unit, pupils read and explore a range of text types in connection to classical myths and legends. They first look at poetry before doing some descriptive writing inspired by poetry and paintings. They then explore Chaucer and modern retellings of myths to inspire their narrative writing.

Myths, legends and stories that inspire

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction of scary, confusing or unsettling events or characters placed in danger, including creation of a scary atmosphere through the use of music and sound.

Depiction or discussion of upsetting content

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

The main character in ‘Skin of the Sea' ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire') is a {{ }} who lives underwater.

What is true of Simidele, the main character in Natasha Bowen's 'Skin of the Sea' ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire')?

to gather the souls of enslaved people who die at sea

In 'Skin of the Sea' ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire'), what is Simidele's role as a Mami Wata?

she gathers the souls of enslaved people.

Match these sentence stems to their endings 'Skin of the Sea' ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire').

Simidele is circling a ship which holds enslaved people.

Simidele has a flashback and is angry she can't remember more.

Simidele orders the sharks to leave the woman alone.

Simidele sees that the woman has been badly beaten.

Starting with the first plot point, put these events from the opening of 'Skin of the Sea' ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire') into chronological order.

In the opening of 'Skin of the Sea' ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire'), the main character Simidele doesn't want to be seen by the "{{ }}" on the ship.

the narrator is a character in the story using pronouns like 'I'

the narrator speaks directly to the reader using pronouns like 'you'

the narrator isn’t a character in the story using 'he', 'she', 'they'

The extract from 'Skin of the Sea' ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire') is written in the first person. Match each perspective to its definition.

a short description on the back of a book giving an overview

The extract from 'Skin of the Sea' ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire') is from a novel. Match each word which helps us understand the form of a novel to its definition.

a transition to a time earlier in the life of one or more characters

when an object is given human characteristics

a method of comparison using the word 'like' or 'as'

a narrative perspective in which the narrator is a character

Match each technique, all important to 'Skin of the Sea' ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire') to its definition.

a body of water moving in a specific direction

waves created by the sea rather than the wind

the overlapping plates that protect the skin of fish

hard, colourful substance created by some marine life

The extract from 'Skin of the Sea' ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire') is set in the sea. Match each word, all of which help us understand the setting, to their definition.

stories about the monarchs or rulers of a particular land

stories which explain how the world began and what the world is like and why

The extract from 'Skin of the Sea' ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire') is based on West African mythology and myths. What are myths?

To {{ }} means to make short notes on, or about, a text.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of upsetting content

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz