Analysing character in an unseen extract from Bilan's 'Asha and the Spirit Bird'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can make precise inferences about characters and explain quotations in detail.
Key learning points
- Magical-realist texts have a real world setting in which magic happens.
- Use the first read of an unseen extract to establish key information about plot, character and setting.
- Next, read more closely to consider the meaning of specific words and phrases and their effects.
- Imperative language means giving commands.
Keywords
Predict - to say what you think will happen in the future
Character - a person in a novel, play, or film
Extract - a short passage taken from a text, film, or piece of music
Quotation - a phrase or short piece of writing taken from a longer work of literature
Inference - a guess that you make or an opinion that you form based on the information that you have
Common misconception
That magic in stories always happens in a make-believe, faraway world.
Magical-realist stories are set in the real world but magic and fantastical events happen.
Teacher tip
You could ask the students to make a prediction about what they think will happen next in the story after you've read the extract.
Equipment
You will need a copy of the Chicken House Books edition of ‘Asha and the Spirit Bird’ by Jasbinder Bilan.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a character?
Q2.What does an 'unseen' text mean?
Q3.What is a spirit?
Q4.Which colour is 'crimson' a synonym for?
Q5.Which of the following do we normally associate the colour red with?
Q6.If someone is giving orders then we assume they are ...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is an extract?
Q2.What does predict mean?
Q3.A story set in the real world but with fantastical events and magic is known as ...
Q4.Which words from might make a character seem physically imposing?
Q5.A guess that you make or an opinion that you form based on the information that you have is known as an ...
Q6.Which word might suggest someone is animalistic?
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Analysing character in an unseen extract from Bilan's 'Asha and the Spirit Bird', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Analysing character in an unseen extract from Bilan's 'Asha and the Spirit Bird', 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 Step into the unknown: fiction reading and creative writing unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.