Use of flashback in Natasha Bowen's 'Skin of the Sea'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can include a flashback in a piece of creative writing inspired by Natasha Bowen's 'Skin of the Sea'.
Key learning points
- A flashback is a transition in a story to an earlier time in the life of one or more characters.
- Flashbacks are often vivid and give us further information about a character.
- Natasha Bowen makes use of flashback in the opening chapter to hint at Simidele's life before she became a Mami Wata.
- Bowen relies on the present participle verb and imagery to make the flashback vivid.
Keywords
Mami Wata - a water spirit or deity (god) sacred to West, Central and Southern Africa
Flashback - a transition in a story to an earlier time in the life of one or more characters
Present participle verb - the -ing form of the verb e.g. giggling
Vivid - clear, deep, strong
Common misconception
Flashback is the only way to include information about a character's past.
Flashback is a powerful method and one which lots of writers rely on. However, there are many other ways to include details about a character's past. For example, explanation from a character or dialogue between characters.
Teacher tip
Consider if there is another text you have read with pupils which relies on flashback. What connections and comparisons could you make to develop their understanding of the concept further?
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the extract from 'Skin of the Sea' by Natasha Bowen published by Penguin Random House in 2021.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In Natasha Bowen's 'Skin of the Sea', what is a Mami Wata? ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire').
Q2.What is true of Simidele, the main character in Natasha Bowen's 'Skin of the Sea' ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire').
Q3.Match these methods, all used by Natasha Bowen in 'Skin of the Sea', to their definitions ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire').
Q4.Match these methods, all used by Natasha Bowen in 'Skin of the Sea', to their examples ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire').
Q5.Match each word to its meaning ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire').
Q6.Starting with the first plot point, put these events from Natasha Bowen's 'Skin of the Sea' ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire') in chronological order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these are examples of present participles verbs? ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire')
Q2.In 'Skin of the Sea' ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire'), who transforms Simidele into a mermaid?
Q3.A is when there is a transition to an earlier time in a character's life ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire').
Q4.What is true of a flashback? ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire')
Q5.In Natasha Bowen's 'Skin of the Sea', a is a water spirit or deity (god) sacred to West, Central and Southern Africa ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire').
Q6.The is the '-ing' form of the verb ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire').
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Use of flashback in Natasha Bowen's 'Skin of the Sea', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Use of flashback in Natasha Bowen's 'Skin of the Sea', 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.