Generating vocabulary for the build-up of ‘Beowulf and the dragon’
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can develop a bank of vocabulary to describe settings and characters in a narrative retelling of the build-up in ‘Beowulf and the dragon’.
Key learning points
- Rehearsing our storytelling using a text map makes the writing process easier.
- We can also plan some of the vocabulary we wish to use to have a certain effect.
- We are going to be writing the build-up of 'Beowulf and the dragon'.
- We can use rich vocabulary to describe the burned stronghold, the rocky headland and the dragon's body.
- We can avoid repeating 'Beowulf' and 'the dragon' by replacing them with varied noun phrases.
Keywords
Text map - a visual representation of a series of events, where pictures represent events
Build-up - the part of a story where problems are introduced and tension rises
Rich vocabulary - words chosen intentionally to convey a certain impression to the reader of a place, person or thing
Expanded noun phrase - a phrase where a noun is described by one or more adjectives
Common misconception
Pupils may believe they can only use the words provided in the tasks.
You may wish to list the words provided on a whiteboard during the lesson, but then encourage children to apply their own ideas in the tasks or to use a thesaurus to explore deeper.
Teacher tip
You may wish to enhance this lesson with visuals of a devastated scene or of a windswept headland as this may be challenging for pupils to imagine.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is introduced to a story in the build-up?
Q2.Which of these events could form part of the build-up in 'Beowulf and the dragon'?
Q3.Which of the events below follows this one? 'Beowulf shouted and banged his sword on the rocks.'
Q4.What should be increasing during the build-up of a narrative?
Q5.Which of these events do not form part of the resolution in the story of 'Beowulf and the dragon'?
Q6.What are the benefits of using our text maps to practise storytelling?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What part of the story 'Beowulf and the dragon' is happening here? 'The dragon attacked the stronghold and Beowulf said he wanted to attack it alone.'
Q2.Which two settings are included in the build-up of 'Beowulf and the dragon'?
Q3.Which of these words means 'still smoking'?
Q4.Which of these words means 'steep'?
Q5.Which of these words means 'strong'?
Q6.Which nouns could complete the following expanded noun phrase to give a negative impression of the dragon? 'the colossal __________'.
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Generating vocabulary for the build-up of ‘Beowulf and the dragon’, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Generating vocabulary for the build-up of ‘Beowulf and the dragon’, 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 2 English lessons from the 'Beowulf': narrative writing unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.