Planning the opening of 'The Viewer'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can plan the opening of 'The Viewer'.
Key learning points
- The purpose of the opening is to provide the reader with a detailed description of the setting and main character.
- Literary devices that create figurative language include metaphors, similes and personification.
- A metaphor is a type of figurative language that involves describing something as though it actually is something else.
Keywords
Planning - involves using a framework that writers create before they write a section or whole text
Figurative language - the use of metaphor, simile and personification to paint vivid pictures for the reader
Metaphor - a type of figurative language that involves making a comparison between two things by stating that one thing is another, creating vivid imagery and deeper layers of meaning
Common misconception
Pupils may confuse similes with metaphors.
Teach pupils that similes use 'like' and 'as' and metaphors are not comparing but saying something actually is something else.
Teacher tip
You may wish to include images from the text of the dump to help pupils generate ideas. Children could work in pairs or small groups to write their plan.
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.Fill in the missing word. Tristan is the main __________ in 'The Viewer'.
Q2.True or false? A simile describes something by comparing it to something else, using 'like' or 'as'.
Q3.Which of these is a simile?
Q4.Which of these is a simile?
Q5.Finish this simile: Tristan hunted around the dump ...
Q6.Finish this simile, choosing the most appropriate ending: Tristan examined a strange, wooden box ...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.True or false? Planning involves writing ideas down without a structure.
Q2.True or false? The purpose of the opening is to provide the reader with a detailed description of the setting and main characters.
Q3.To paint a vivid picture in the mind of your reader, which two of these should you use?
Q4.True or false? A metaphor is a type of figurative language that involves making a comparison between two things by stating that one thing is another
Q5.Fill in the missing word. A metaphor is a type of comparison but unlike __________, metaphors do not use the words ‘like or ‘as’ to compare.
Q6.Which of these is a metaphor?
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Planning the opening of 'The Viewer', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Planning the opening of '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.