Exploring characters’ emotions
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe key events in Chapters 35, 36 and 37 and I can explain how the author’s descriptions and language choices help to show characters’ changing emotions.
Key learning points
- In this section of the book, Joseph learns from Mrs F that his father has died in the war.
- Joseph goes through a range of emotions, including denial, anger and guilt.
- The author uses descriptions of Joseph's actions, speech and thoughts to depict these emotions.
- The author also makes specific language choices to enhance certain emotions.
- We make inferences about emotions based on evidence within the text.
Keywords
Emotions - strong feelings that result from a person's circumstances, mood or relationships with others
Infer - draw a conclusion from information and evidence in a text
Evidence - information or facts to show something is true
Language choices - particular words or phrases used by the author to convey a certain image or feeling
Common misconception
Pupils may struggle to see the evidence on which they have based their inferences about characters' emotions.
We automatically infer as we read; encourage pupils to look back and think, 'What made you think that? What clues did the author give us?'.
Teacher tip
Some pupils may find the material discussed in this lesson distressing; be mindful of individual family circumstances and support as appropriate. You will need to have read up to the end of Chapter 43 by the next lesson, either in story time or using additional lessons.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2021 Andersen Press edition of ‘When the Sky Falls’ written by Phil Earle for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word means the same as 'without thinking'?
Q2.Which word means the same as 'good at something'?
Q3.Based on your reading up to Chapter 34, which of these are true?
Q4.What was Joseph's plan for dealing with Gryce's test?
Q5.How does Mr Gryce find out that Joseph can't read?
Q6.Which of the following does Mrs F do when she sees Gryce about to cane Joseph?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words to their meanings.
happiness
taken in
short message
non-stop
Q2.Match the words to their meanings.
something that makes you really weak
attempt to comfort someone
slight shaking
moving slowly
Q3.As they left school, how did Mrs F and Joseph feel?
Q4.Why is Joseph guilty about his mother leaving?
Q5.What does Mrs F mention that persuades Joseph not to run away?
Q6.How does Chapter 37 end?
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Exploring characters’ emotions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Exploring characters’ emotions, 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 'When the Sky Falls': reading unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.