Generating vocabulary to describe a character in 'The Viewer'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can generate vocabulary to describe a character in ‘The Viewer’.
Key learning points
- A character is a person, animal or figure in a story.
- We can use expanded noun phrases to add detail and description to a noun.
- A simile describes something by comparing it to something else.
Keywords
Character - a person, animal or figure in a story
Figurative language - is the use of metaphor, simile and personification to paint vivid pictures for the reader
Simile - a linguistic device that compares two things using ‘like’ or ‘as’, highlighting similarities to create vivid imagery
Common misconception
Pupils might find it hard to generate adjectives and description about a character they do not have a clear illustration of.
You could ask the children to draw their version of the main character, Tristan, at the start of this lesson. They will then find it easier to generate the descriptive vocabulary.
Teacher tip
You may wish to play a game around the school where you describe things using similes. For example: this fire extinguisher is as red as blood, the playground gates are as tall as a mountain...
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2012 Hodder Children's Books edition of ‘The Viewer’ written by Gary Crew and illustrated by Shaun Tan, for this lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A setting is ...
Q2.True or false? A writer cannot create a particular atmosphere when describing a setting.
Q3.Fill in the blanks. is the use of metaphor, simile and personification to paint vivid pictures for the reader.
Q4.True or false? Personification is a linguistic device that compares non-human objects to human characteristics to create vivid imagery.
Q5.True or false? We want to create a detailed and clear picture of the setting for the reader. We do this through using lots of precise description.
Q6.When using precise description, what will a writer include next to many of the nouns?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Fill in the missing word. A is a person, animal or figure in a story.
Q2.What is the name of the main character in 'The Viewer'?
Q3.When describing a character, a writer will often use ...
Q4.Which of these adjectives could describe Tristan's hair?
Q5.Which of these literary devices create figurative language?
Q6.Which of these is a simile?
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Generating vocabulary to describe a character in 'The Viewer', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Generating vocabulary to describe a character in 'The Viewer', 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 Viewer': narrative writing unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.