the beat, flow, or pattern of a piece of music or writing.

a clause of a sentence which doesn’t make sense by itself.

a sentence made up of a main clause (a sentence which makes sense by itself) and a subordinate clause.

Writing inspired by ‘Skin of the Sea’: varying sentence types to create rhythm

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

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

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

A {{}} sentence is a sentence that has a main clause and a subordinate clause.

They include at least one subordinate clause.

They are the best type of sentence to use to show off your skills.

You must always contrast a complex sentence with a simple sentence.

They always include at least one main clause.

Simidele travelled for many miles with the ship.

Even though Simidele could control the sharks, she still feared them.

Menacingly hungry, the sharks followed the ship.

Which of these sentences, all inspired by ‘Skin of the Sea’, are complex sentences?

Although Simidele is a Mami Wata she was once mortal.

Although Simidele, is a Mami Wata she was once mortal.

Although, Simidele is a Mami Wata she was once mortal.

Although Simidele is a Mami Wata, she was once mortal.

Which of these complex sentences, all inspired by ‘Skin of the Sea’, is punctuated correctly?

The sharks obeyed Simidele’s orders defiantly.

Simidele remembered her defiant mission to gather the souls of the enslaved.

The sharks disobeyed Simidele’s orders defiantly.

Simidele was grateful to Yemoja and defied her at every opportunity.

Which of these sentences, all inspired by ‘Skin of the Sea', uses the word 'defiantly' correctly?

Many on the ship felt sick as it oscillated from side to side.

The calm waters made the ship oscillate. 

The sharks oscillated as they swam, taking one steady, straight course.

The ship oscillated, buffeted by the wind and rain.

Which of these sentences, all inspired by ‘Skin of the Sea’, use the word oscillates correctly?

a word that replaces an already named noun

the name of a specific person, place or thing

the person or thing doing the main verb in the sentence

joins two simple sentences together with connectives

made up of a main clause and a subordinate clause

Match each sentence type to its definition.

to rescue the souls of those who are thrown overboard

In ‘Skin of the Sea’, why is Simidele following the ship in the opening of the novel?

Simidele is swimming alongside a ship and some sharks.

Simidele has a flashback to when she was a mortal.

Simidele is sad that she can’t remember more of her flashback.

Simidele doesn’t allow the sharks to touch the body.

Simidele looks at the woman who has been badly beaten.

Starting with the first plot point, order these events from the opening of ‘Skin of the Sea’.

Despite the crashing of the waves, Simidele followed the ship easily.

Which of these sentences, all inspired by ‘Skin of the Sea’, are complete sentences?

The ship was tossed violently in the storm.

Crashing from side to side, the ship continued to move forward.

Which of these sentences, all inspired by ‘Skin of the Sea’, are accurate sentences?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz