Developing understanding of 'Cloud Busting' through rich discussions
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can discuss the main ideas of 'Cloud Busting'.
Key learning points
- ‘Cloud Busting’ focuses on the relationship between two ‘friends’: Davey and Sam.
- The story is told as a verse novel.
- ‘Cloud Busting’ uses both fixed verse and free verse poetry.
- ‘Cloud Busting’ is written in both the present and the past, through use of flashbacks.
- A range of poetic forms are used by the author including haikus, blank verse, limericks and concrete / shape poems.
Keywords
Verse novel - A verse novel is a narrative told through poetry, blending prose and poetic elements.
Form - Form is the way that a text can be presented.
Fixed verse - Fixed verse is poetry with a specific structure, rhyme, and metre.
Free verse - Free verse is poetry without strict rhyme or metre; it emphasises natural speech rhythms.
Theme - A theme is a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story.
Common misconception
A verse novel has to be fixed or free verse. It cannot contain both.
'Cloud Busting' has fixed and free verse poetry. The text includes a range of forms, including haikus, concrete poems and limericks.
Teacher tip
Pupils must have read the text in advance of this lesson. Before the lesson, you might share examples of key poetic forms / devices with the class through shared reading time.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2020 Yearling edition of ‘Cloud Busting’, written by Malorie Blackman with illustrations by Helen van Vliet, for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Based on their titles, which of the following are likely to be poetry collections?
Q2.A stanza is ...
Q3.What is a suitable definition of the word compassion?
Q4.Which of the following descriptions shows the emotion of jealousy?
Q5.Figurative language includes the use of ...
Q6.Which of the following are forms of poetry?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the following keywords to their definitions.
a narrative told through poetry, blending prose and poetic elements
the way that a text can be presented
a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story
poetry without strict rhyme or metre
Q2.Who is the author of 'Cloud Busting'?
Q3.Which of the following are common features found in a verse novel?
Q4.Which of the following are fixed verse forms of poetry?
Q5.Which of the following are themes that can be identified in 'Cloud Busting'?
Q6.How many syllables are contained in a traditional haiku?
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Developing understanding of 'Cloud Busting' through rich discussions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Developing understanding of 'Cloud Busting' through rich discussions, 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 'Cloud Busting': book club unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.