Writing the second half of the build-up of 'Beowulf and the dragon'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can write the second half of the build-up of ‘Beowulf and the dragon’, using a range of narrative elements and cohesive devices to connect ideas.
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.
- We can create compound adjectives using hyphens to add descriptive detail.
- We can use dialogue to add to the tense mood of our writing.
Keywords
Narrative elements - the content of a narrative, often including action, description, dialogue and emotions
Compound adjective - an adjective formed of two hyphenated words
Cohesive devices - language structures that develop text cohesion
Fronted adverbial - a sentence starter followed by a comma
Direct speech - when the exact words spoken by someone are written down, enclosed in inverted commas
Common misconception
Pupils may struggle to connect ideas with appropriate cohesive devices.
When completing shared writing, model considering and rejecting different ways of combining or connecting ideas; there is almost always more than one 'right' way and it is up to us to decide which we want to use.
Teacher tip
Refer back to our grammar curriculum for additional lessons on direct speech punctuation or any of the cohesive devices mentioned if required.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which narrative elements are used here? 'Beowulf clenched his fists in fury and a tear came to the wrinkled corner of his eye.'
Q2.Which narrative element is used here? 'On its back, there were thick, leathery spines; on its wings, iridescent scales shimmered.'
Q3.Which type of complex sentence is used here as a cohesive device? 'Beowulf, who knew it was his duty to protect the Geats, was determined to fight the dragon alone.'
Q4.Which type of sentence is used here as a cohesive device? 'The palisades were still ablaze and the mead-hall had been reduced to smouldering ash.'
Q5.Which of the below are fronted adverbials of place?
Q6.In which sentence is the colon in the correct position to introduce an explanation?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which narrative elements have been used here? 'As he watched, a filth-encrusted serpent emerged slowly from a well-hidden hole in the headland.'
Q2.Which narrative elements have been used here? '“Prepare to meet your maker, serpent!” the old king roared …'.
Q3.Which of the below are fronted adverbials of manner?
Q4.Which of the below are fronted adverbials of place?
Q5.Which of the following are compound adjectives?
Q6.What mood have we aimed for in the build-up of our narrative?
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Writing the second half of 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: Writing the second half of 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.