Writing the first half of the climax and resolution of 'Beowulf and the dragon'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can write the first half of the climax and resolution of ‘Beowulf and the dragon’, using a range of cohesive devices to connect ideas and using techniques to increase pace and tension.
Key learning points
- Writing is most successful when structure, content and vocabulary are planned.
- We aim to use a range of narrative elements in our writing and to set an appropriate mood with them.
- We use a range of cohesive devices to connect ideas, including a variety of fronted adverbials.
- Short sentences, rhetorical questions and 'quick' fronted adverbials of time can add pace to a piece of writing.
- Dashes can add dramatic effect, often by restating the noun phrase that is being described in a different way.
Keywords
Cohesive devices - language structures that develop text cohesion
Fronted adverbial - a sentence starter followed by a comma
Dashes - a punctuation mark to add extra information in a clause often for dramatic effect
Oral rehearsal - practising saying ideas for sentences out loud before you write them
Common misconception
Pupils may be tempted to over-use short sentences in their writing.
Show in your shared writing that short sentences are impactful **because** they contrast with the longer or more complex sentences we tend to use in formal narrative writing.
Teacher tip
You may wish to begin the lesson by giving pupils another opportunity to story-tell with their text maps. Some pupils may simply re-tell their text map using simple language as their writing task. A slide is left lined for you to complete shared writing with your class.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Put the climax and resolution paragraphs of our narrative about 'Beowulf and the dragon' in the correct order.
Q2.Which paragraphs make up the climax?
Q3.Match each of the narrative elements to the questions they link to.
What are characters doing?
What are characters feeling?
What do things look like?
What are people saying?
Q4.Which narrative element has been used in this note from Alex's plan? 'scales were as hard as diamond; an impenetrable shield'
Q5.Select the narrative elements that have been used in this note from Alex's plan: 'yelled in anger “Come here!”; swung sword'
Q6.Which of the following notes uses 'show-not-tell' to indicate shock?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the atmosphere we are aiming to create in the climax of 'Beowulf and the dragon'?
Q2.Which narrative elements are featured here? 'Beowulf watched as a dragon - a vast, spiny-backed dragon - emerged from a hole in the headland.'
Q3.In which sentence are the dashes for dramatic effect in the correct positions?
Q4.Which technique has been used here to increase pace? ' He would defeat this beast. He had to. His people depended on it.'
Q5.Which of these are fronted adverbials of manner?
Q6.Which of the descriptions below could fill in the gap in the following sentence for dramatic effect? 'It breathed out fire - __________ - that was as hot as the midday sun.'
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Writing the first half of the climax and resolution 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: Writing the first half of the climax and resolution 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.