Retelling the story of 'Whale Rider'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can retell the story of 'Whale Rider'.
Key learning points
- 'Whale Rider' tells the story of Paikea and the challenges she faces and overcomes as a young girl in a Maori tribe.
- A narrative can be structured into four key sections: the opening, the build-up, the climax and the resolution.
- Each part of a narrative has a specific purpose.
- We can use our voice, language choices and expression to retell a story effectively.
- When retelling a story, it is important to convey the appropriate tone at each point of the story.
Keywords
Sequencing - putting the events that occur in a story in order from the beginning to the end
Structure - the order of events within a narrative that gives it a coherent and engaging flow
Setting - where the story takes place
Common misconception
Sequencing and retelling a story only involves recounting the events in the exact order that they occurred.
Effective sequencing and retelling requires pupils to know the plot deeply and to understand some key themes that are threaded through it.
Teacher tip
Pupils must have watched the film 'Whale Rider' prior to starting this unit. Ensure that visuals from key points in the film are captured and easily accessible in the lesson for sequencing and retelling.
Equipment
You must have access to the film 'Whale Rider' (South Pacific Pictures, 2002) to complete this unit. Images of the characters from the film will be helpful.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Where is the story 'Whale Rider' set?
Q2.The film 'Whale Rider' was based on a book by whom?
Q3.'Haka' is a type of what?
Q4.True or false? Tattooing is traditionally practised by Maori people.
Q5.What is the traditional Maori tattoo art called?
Q6.In traditional Maori culture, what roles are women typically associated with?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is the word for where a story takes place?
Q2.Which country does Paikea's father move to after she is born?
Q3.Which point in the story normally introduces the main character and sets the scene?
Q4.Which of these sentences is most appropriate for the opening of 'Whale Rider'?
Q5.Which point in the story describes the main action and takes the suspense to its highest point?
Q6.At which point in the story does Koro recognise Paikea as the leader and successor of the tribe?
To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: Retelling the story 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: Retelling the story 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.