Planning the opening of 'Whale Rider'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can plan precise and ambitious vocabulary for the opening of 'Whale Rider'.
Key learning points
- The purpose of the opening is to engage the reader and introduce the setting and characters.
- The opening of the story introduces Paikea and her grandfather and their family context.
- Precise adjectives, verbs and adverbs are used to create a vivid picture for the reader.
- Precise and ambitious vocabulary is logged on a plan for future use.
- Notes should not be written in full sentences and bullet points can be used to make notes clear.
Keywords
Plan - a framework that writers create before they write a section or whole text
Notes - written out of full sentences
Precise vocabulary - specific and accurate words to convey exact meanings and details in writing
Common misconception
Pupils may find it difficult to know what makes certain vocabulary ambitious.
Teach pupils that there can be many options when selecting vocabulary and they need to carefully choose the most precise words for each part of their writing. This is best explained by what effect they want to create for the reader.
Teacher tip
The opening of the film is based on the part of the film after Paikea is born and is when she is on her grandfather's bike while he cycles both of them down the coast towards their house. Pupils may find the section before (childbirth) distressing.
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.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of upsetting content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Fill in the missing word. Paikea is the main __________ in 'Whale Rider'.
Q2.What is a plan?
Q3.What is the main setting in 'Whale Rider'?
Q4.Which of these is a fronted adverbial followed by?
Q5.What does a full sentence need to include?
Q6.Match the word classes to their definitions.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.True or false? A plan should be written in full sentences.
Q2.What are the purposes of the opening of a narrative?
Q3.Fill in the gap: A fronted adverbial of __________ tells the reader when the action in the main idea takes place.
Q4.Order the five key moments of the opening chronologically.
Q5.Match each word class to its example.
Q6.What is 'At the edge of the village,' an example of?
To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: Planning the opening of '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 the opening of '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.