Writing the opening of 'The BFG' (part one)
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can write the first part of a narrative opening based on ‘The BFG’.
Key learning points
- The purpose of a narrative opening is to introduce the characters and to describe the setting to the reader.
- Saying sentences aloud before they are written helps to check for sense.
- Using the full range of sentence types (simple, compound and complex) improves text flow for the reader.
- Fronted adverbials of time, place and manner add extra detail to the main clause.
- This narrative version of ‘The BFG’ is written in the past tense.
Keywords
Text flow - how a text is written to keep the reader engaged
Fronted adverbial - a sentence starter followed by a comma
Past tense - shows that the action happened before now
Complex sentence - a sentence formed of at least one main clause and a subordinate clause
Common misconception
Pupils might write about moments that take place later in the narrative.
The first part of the opening follows a clear, chronological order that includes the three key moments from pupils' plans.
Teacher tip
Pupils should be given lots of opportunities to say sentences aloud or to write sentences on whiteboards, using the notes from their plan ahead of writing.
Equipment
You will need access to the 1989 film version of 'The BFG' for this lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Put the key moments of the first part of the opening in the correct order.
Q2.Which sentence is correctly punctuated?
Q3.Which of these nouns must start with a capital letter?
Q4.Which of these sentences is punctuated correctly?
Q5.Match each word class to its example.
room
curious
stared
quietly
Q6.Before writing sentences down, it is helpful to them aloud first.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the purpose of the opening?
Q2.When we write, we ...
Q3.Which of these is an example of a simple sentence?
Q4.Match the sentence types to their examples.
Thunder raged wildly in the night sky.
Thunder raged wildly in the night sky and Sophie woke up.
Sophie bolted upright because thunder raged loudly.
Q5.Which of these sentences is written in the past tense?
Q6.Complete the following complex sentence with an appropriate subordinate adverbial clause: 'Sophie woke up suddenly __________.'
To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Writing the opening of 'The BFG' (part one), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Writing the opening of 'The BFG' (part one), 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 'The BFG': reading and narrative writing unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.