Writing part one of the opening of 'Macbeth'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use a plan to write a narrative opening based on Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.
Key learning points
- Writing is most successful when structure, content and vocabulary is planned.
- A narrative opening should engage the reader and describe the setting and any characters who are present.
- Using a wide range of precise, ambitious vocabulary enhances text cohesion.
- The senses can be appealed to when generating ambitious descriptive vocabulary.
- Structuring sentences in a range of ways enhances text cohesion.
Keywords
Senses - the physical abilities of sight, smell, hearing, touch and taste
Complex sentence - a sentence formed of at least one main clause and a subordinate clause
Fronted adverbial of place - a sentence starter that tells the reader where something is or happens
Figurative language - the use of simile, metaphor and personification to create vivid imagery
Common misconception
Pupils may struggle to convert notes into complete sentences.
Provide lots of time for oral rehearsal at each stage of the lesson and ensure children have access to vocabulary and plans used earlier in the unit.
Teacher tip
If pupils are not secure in using complex sentences, refer to our Year 5 Grammar unit 'Five sentence types'. One slide is left lined so that you can complete shared writing with the class.
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What features should we include in the first part of our opening of Macbeth?
Q2.What tense will we write our opening in?
Q3.Which of the following words would accurately describe the atmosphere we want to create?
Q4.Match each feature to the correct example.
Fog wrapped around the heath like a suffocating blanket.
Up above,
salty sea sprayed
Q5.How will we order our setting description?
Q6.Which of these sentences creates the right kind of atmosphere for our opening?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which sentence starts with a fronted adverbial of place?
Q2.Which of the following are complex sentences?
Q3.What linguistic features can be seen in the following sentence? 'Above the heath, the eerie moon shone, trying with all its might to break through the dense clouds.'
Q4.Which sentence includes a metaphor?
Q5.Which sentence includes personification?
Q6.Which sentence includes alliteration?
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Writing part one of the opening of 'Macbeth', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Writing part one of the opening of 'Macbeth', 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 Shakespeare's 'Macbeth': narrative and soliloquy writing unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.