Writing the opening of 'Whale Rider'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can write the opening of 'Whale Rider'.
Key learning points
- The purpose of a narrative opening is to introduce the characters and to describe the setting to the reader.
- Using a range of sentence types (simple, compound and complex) improves text flow for the reader.
- A fronted adverbial of time, place or manner adds extra detail to the main clause that follows it.
- This narrative version of ‘Whale Rider’ is written in the past tense.
- Oral rehearsal before writing helps to structure grammatically correct sentences and check for sense.
Keywords
Opening - the first part of a narrative that sets the scene for the rest of the story
Past tense - shows that the action happened before now
Fronted adverbial - a sentence starter followed by a comma
Common misconception
Pupils might write about moments that take place later in the narrative.
Ensure that pupils know to focus on the three key moments from their plans from the previous lesson.
Teacher tip
Pupils should be given lots of opportunities to say sentences aloud or to write sentences on whiteboards, using the notes from their plan ahead of writing either in pairs or independently.
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.What is a simple sentence?
Q2.Order the five key moments of the opening chronologically.
Q3.What is a compound sentence?
Q4.What is an adverbial complex sentence?
Q5.Which sentence is correctly punctuated?
Q6.Which sentence is written in the past tense?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The __________ is the first section of a story where the writer describes the setting and main characters.
Q2.True or false? 'A complex sentence is a sentence consisting of a main clause and a subordinate clause.'
Q3.Which sentence is correctly punctuated?
Q4.Match the sentence types to their examples.
Q5.When we write, which of these do we do?
Q6.Which sentence is correctly punctuated?
To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: Writing 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: Writing 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.