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      Writing the opening of ‘Lucky Dip'

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can write the opening of ‘Lucky Dip’.

      Key learning points

      1. An opening will introduce the setting and main characters.
      2. A descriptive opening will contain expanded noun phrases.
      3. A descriptive opening will contain adverbs and verbs.

      Keywords

      • Expanded noun phrase - a group of words with no verb that adds detail to a noun

      • Verbs - a doing or being word

      • Adverbs - a word that describes a verb

      Common misconception

      Pupils may find it hard to describe the setting and the reader may struggle to picture it in detail.

      Teach pupils that describing the setting using expanded noun phrases will help to add detail. Refer back to Lesson 2 where children will have created a sensory map of the setting.

      Teacher tip

      You may wish to add further sentences describing the setting into your model. You may want to use Lesson 2 of this unit to help with this.

      Equipment

      You need access to the 2001 animation ‘Lucky Dip’ by Emily Skinner for this lesson.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      The opening is the first section of a story.

      Correct answer: True
      False

      Q2.
      Which of the following should be introduced in the opening?

      Correct answer: the setting
      Correct answer: the main characters
      all the smaller characters

      Q3.
      What is the setting for 'Lucky Dip'?

      a farm
      a park
      Correct answer: the seaside
      a school

      Q4.
      A writer should try to include ambitious vocabulary from their plan.

      Correct answer: True
      False

      Q5.
      Put these key moments from the opening in the correct order.

      1 - Emily arrives at the seaside.
      2 - Emily and her grandprents walk on the pier.
      3 - Emily sees the arcade and walks towards it.

      Q6.
      We will use lots of expanded noun phrases in our opening. Which of these is an example of an expanded noun phrase?

      beach
      sandy beach
      Correct answer: vast, sandy beach

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Fill in the missing word. Stories can be structured on a 'story ...'

      ladder.
      Correct answer: staircase.
      tower.

      Q2.
      The first part of a story staircase is the ...

      climax.
      Correct answer: opening.
      build up.
      resolution.

      Q3.
      Order these parts of a story staircase.

      1 - opening
      2 - build up
      3 - climax
      4 - resolution

      Q4.
      A descriptive opening will contain lots of ...

      questions to the reader.
      Correct answer: expanded noun phrases.
      rhyming words.

      Q5.
      Which of these is an example of an expanded noun phrase?

      day
      blustery, cold
      Correct answer: blustery, cold day
      blustery day

      Q6.
      Which of these words is a verb?

      sunny
      the
      Correct answer: walked

      To help you plan your 2 English lesson on: Writing the opening of ‘Lucky Dip', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...