Myths about teaching can hold you back
- Year 6
Introducing the context of 'The Final Year'
I can understand the context of ‘The Final Year'.
Copyrighted materials: to view and download resources from this lesson, you’ll need to be in the UK and
- Year 6
Introducing the context of 'The Final Year'
I can understand the context of ‘The Final Year'.
Copyrighted materials: to view and download resources from this lesson, you’ll need to be in the UK and
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- ‘The Final Year’ is an illustrated verse novel that follows Nate as he approaches his final year of primary school.
- The poems within ‘The Final Year’ are written in a dialect, reflecting the region of Manchester where it is set.
- We can gain an initial understanding of the character of Nate by how he is described and how he is illustrated.
- It’s important to not make quick judgements of characters based on a single poem.
- Part 1 gives readers an initial impression of Nate, who he is and what his family and surroundings are like.
Keywords
Verse novel - a narrative told through poetry, blending prose and poetic elements
Dialect - the use of specific language styles or speech patterns to represent a character's regional or social background
Impression - initial feelings about a person, place or thing, gained from reading a text
Imagery - the use of vivid and sensory language that appeals to the reader's senses, creating vivid mental pictures and enhancing the emotional impact of the poem
Common misconception
Pupils may describe Nate’s mother in a negative light.
Discuss the portrayal of Nate’s mother as you continue reading.
To help you plan your year 6 English lesson on: Introducing the context of 'The Final Year', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 6 English lesson on: Introducing the context of 'The Final Year', 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.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the 'The Final Year': reading unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2023 Otter-Barry Books edition of ‘The Final Year’ written by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Joe Todd Stanton, for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
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