Planning an emotive narrative scene in 'Whale Rider'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can plan an emotive narrative scene in the climax of 'Whale Rider'.
Key learning points
- The purpose of climactic writing is to take the drama to the highest point of tension to evoke emotions in the reader.
- A very emotive scene in ‘Whale Rider’ describes Paikea's encounter with stranded whales on a beach.
- Precise and ambitious vocabulary, including 'show-not-tell' language, is used to convey an emotive atmosphere.
- Direct speech and characters' inner thoughts are used to convey their emotions.
- Notes in a plan should not be written in full sentences and bullet points can be used to make notes clear.
Keywords
Emotive - evoking intense feelings or emotions
Plan - a framework that writers create before they write a section or whole text
Ambitious vocabulary - high-level language in writing that meets the text purpose
Common misconception
An emotive piece of narrative can sometimes overuse melodrama, exaggerating characters' feelings and actions too much.
Ensure that pupils' representations of characters’ emotions and reactions are believable and consistent with their personalities.
Teacher tip
This scene is based on the part of the film where Paikea forms a deep connection with the whales. Her ability to communicate with the whales and lead them back to the sea symbolises her rightful place as their leader. Capture stills from this scene for the key moments that writing will be based on.
Equipment
You must have access to the film 'Whale Rider' (South Pacific Pictures, 2002) to complete this unit. Images of the characters and scenes from the film will be helpful.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Put the sections of a narrative in order.
Q2.What is a plan?
Q3.Which of the following is a full sentence?
Q4.Match the word classes to their definitions.
a doing, being or having word
a word that describes a noun
a word that describes a verb
a person, place or thing
Q5.What language structure is the following an example of?
'Her eyes widened in alarm.'
Q6.Match each word class to its example.
ocean
helpless
raced
gently
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.True or false? A plan should be written in full sentences.
Q2.Put the four key moments of the emotive scene in the climax in chronological order.
Q3.Which of the following is an example of Paikea's inner thoughts when she saw the stranded whales?
Q4.Which of the following is an example of direct speech?
Q5.Match each word class to its example.
rhythmic
night
alarmingly
streamed
Q6.What are the purposes of the climax of a narrative?
To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: Planning an emotive narrative scene in 'Whale Rider', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: Planning an emotive narrative scene in 'Whale Rider', 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 'Whale Rider': narrative writing unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.