Generating vocabulary to describe a setting in 'The Viewer'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can generate vocabulary to describe a setting in ‘The Viewer’.
Key learning points
- A setting is where or when a story takes place.
- Atmosphere involves how a writer constructs their writing to convey emotions and mood to the reader.
- The atmosphere in the setting of ‘The Viewer’ is eerie, mysterious and tense.
- Personification involves describing objects as if they are people and have feelings.
- We can use expanded noun phrases to add detail and description to a noun.
Keywords
Setting - where or when a story takes place
Atmosphere - how a writer constructs their writing to convey emotions and mood to the reader
Personification - a linguistic device that compares non-human objects to human characteristics to create vivid imagery
Noun - a naming word for people, places or things
Figurative language - the use of metaphor, simile and personification to paint vivid pictures for the reader
Common misconception
Pupils may find it challenging coming up with their own ideas for 'personification'.
You may wish to play a game using objects in the room and describing what they are doing using personification. E.g. the teacher's desk stood proudly.
Teacher tip
You could allow the children to generate their words banks on large sugar paper in pairs or small groups that could then be displayed in the classroom. This way all children can borrow each other's ideas.
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
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.'The Viewer' is _________ by Gary Crew.
Q2.The main character in 'The Viewer' is called ...
Q3.Tristan finds a mysterious object at which location?
Q4.What is the object that Tristan finds and takes home from the city dump?
Q5.Where is Tristan when he opens the box?
Q6.When Tristan sees the images inside the viewing machine, how does he feel?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.True or false? Atmosphere involves how a writer constructs their writing to convey emotions and mood to the reader.
Q2.Which of these atmospheres fits 'The Viewer'?
Q3.Which atmosphere could be described as 'a sense of discomfort, unease or fear'.
Q4.Which of the following is an expanded noun phrase?
Q5.Personification means ...
Q6.Which of these is an example of personification?
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Generating vocabulary to describe a setting 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 setting 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.