Effective sensory language using ‘The Execution of Lady Jane Grey’ as stimulus
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can employ the five senses in my descriptive writing to create a chosen effect.
Key learning points
- Sensory language is writing that includes reference to some, or all, of the five senses.
- You don't need to write, 'They could see, feel, taste, touch, hear ...' when using sensory language.
- Instead, you can evoke the senses by starting with the noun you wish to describe.
- Adjectives should be chosen carefully so that they create particular effects.
Keywords
Sensory language - writing that includes reference to some, or all, of the five senses
Tender - caring, gentle
Stagnant - usually to describe water or air that smells bad because it is completely still and without movement
Suppress - of an emotion, to keep it hidden or bottled up
Common misconception
You should use an adjective to describe every noun.
Adjectives can help add interest and atmosphere to your writing. But not every noun needs an adjective. This can become overwhelming for the reader.
Teacher tip
Consider if there are particular adjectives you have covered with your class in a different text that would be appropriate for this lesson. Consider how you could incorporate them into the models, or into your explanations, particularly in Learning Cycle 2.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
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.We call sight, sound, touch, taste and smell the five ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire').
Q2.Match each of these word classes to their definitions ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire').
a naming word
a describing word
a doing or being word
a word you can use as a substitute for a noun
Q3.The five senses are sight, sound, taste, touch and ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire').
Q4.Identify the adjective in the following sentence: 'The pale straw was strewn on the floor carelessly.' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire').
Q5.Identify the noun in the following sentence: 'The velvet cushion was green, bordered with gold.' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire').
Q6.Identify the verb in the following sentence: 'Her trembling hand reached out into the air.' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire').
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'Myths, Legends and stories that inspire', we look at a painting called 'The Execution of Lady Jane Grey'. Who was Lady Jane Grey?
Q2.Starting with the first, order these significant moments in Lady Jane Grey's life ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire').
Q3.Match the sense to the sentence which employs it ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire').
The pale straw glimmered in the candlelight.
The gentle whimpering punctuated the silence in the room.
Her mouth was dry, with the occasional flavour of bile.
The soft satin scarf wrapped around her head was caressing and soft.
The stale air of the room penetrated her nostrils.
Q4.Which sentence, all inspired by 'The Execution of Lady Jane Grey' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire'), uses the word tender accurately?
Q5.Which of these sentences, all inspired by 'The Execution of Lady Jane Grey' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire'), uses the word suppress (or a form of the word) accurately?
Q6.Which of these sentences, all inspired by 'The Execution of Lady Jane Grey' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire'), uses the word stagnant (or a form of it) accurately?
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Effective sensory language using ‘The Execution of Lady Jane Grey’ as stimulus, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Effective sensory language using ‘The Execution of Lady Jane Grey’ as stimulus, 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 3 English lessons from the Myths, legends and stories that inspire unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.