Developing reading preferences by appreciating characters in adaptations
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore a range of characters in adaptations, articulating what makes them effective.
Key learning points
- Texts can be adapted into a television series, feature-length film or for a theatre performance
- A character can be imagined from a physical text, film, television adaptation or theatre performance
- Subtext and themes can be explored via a character's thoughts, actions, dialogue and character development
Keywords
Adaptation - when a text is adapted into a television series, a feature-length film or for a theatre performance
Source material - the original text serving as the basis for adaptations
Theme - a central idea that the writer intends the audience to engage deeply with
Subtext - the unspoken or implied meaning beneath explicit dialogue or actions
Common misconception
Every text must have a subtext.
Some texts are more straightforward and may focus on conveying their message or story in a more direct and explicit manner.
Teacher tip
When sharing examples of texts that have been adapted, discuss with pupils the appropriateness and suitability of visual texts and theatre productions.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What form is the text 'Roald Dahl's Matilda: The Musical' likely to be in?
Q2.Which definition best suits a tagline?
Q3.Match the word with the correct definition.
Q4.Which form has the text 'War Horse: playscript' been adapted for?
Q5.Which of these examples demonstrate selfish qualities?
Q6.Which of these examples demonstrate trusting qualities?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the following keywords to their definitions.
Q2.What are the benefits of adapting a text for film, television or theatre?
Q3.True or False? Some texts can be adapted for more than one form (for example, a text can be adapted for television and theatre).
Q4.What subtext could be understood from the following? A character consistently volunteers at a local animal shelter, adopting rescue dogs and providing them with a loving home.
Q5.What subtext could be understood from the following? A character is always seen reading books and has a special fondness for libraries, often helping younger kids find books to read.
Q6.Characters can allow readers to understand a theme through...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Developing reading preferences by appreciating characters in adaptations, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Developing reading preferences by appreciating characters in adaptations, 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 Developing reading preferences in Year 6 unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.