Reading 'The Twisted Tree': identifying key themes
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can continue to understand and recall the plot, as well as explore some of the key themes.
Key learning points
- The books in Martha’s room move on their own, introducing an element of the supernatural.
- Ravens help to create an ominous atmosphere in the novel.
- Key themes in the novel include the supernatural, good vs. evil, fate and being an outsider.
- A theme is an important idea in a text that is explored in a number of different ways.
- As students of English, the first step is to work out what are a text’s most important themes.
Keywords
Fleeting - passing quickly
Foreboding - a feeling that something bad is going to happen
Ancestry - a person’s family history or lineage
Omen - a sign or event that is believed to predict or indicate a future occurrence
Theme - an important idea or thread in a text that is explored in a number of different ways
Common misconception
A theme is any idea or plot point in a text.
Themes are the most important ideas in a text. There may be multiple. The most important themes are the ones that are returned to over and over again, and explored in a number of different ways.
Teacher tip
When reading the text, try different independent reading strategies. For example, 'control the game'. Select students at random to read, jumping from pupil to pupil after a couple of sentences.
Equipment
You will need access to the text 'The Twisted Tree' by Rachel Burge, published by Hot Key Books, 2019.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'The Twisted Tree', where does Martha travel to stay with her grandmother?
Q2.In 'The Twisted Tree', what physical feature makes Martha feel self-conscious and different?
Q3.In 'The Twisted Tree', what unusual supernatural powers does Martha discover she has?
Q4.At the start of 'The Twisted Tree', the book is dedicated to Odin. What type of mythology does this refer to?
Q5.Match the characters from 'The Twisted Tree' to the correct description.
The protagonist who has supernatural powers.
A local boy in Norway who becomes an important friend to Martha.
Martha's grandmother, who is discovered to be dead.
Gives Martha a lift. Bearded and friendly.
Olav's wife, has concerns for Martha being alone in the cabin.
Mormor's dog.
Q6.Which word can be described as 'a foul smell from rotting matter'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word can be described as 'a person’s family history or lineage'?
Q2.Which birds appear in Norse mythology as a messenger of the gods?
Q3.In 'The Twisted Tree', Martha references her Mormor's stories about "draugr". What are these?
Q4.There are a number of key themes in 'The Twisted Tree'. What is a theme?
Q5.Which of the following would not count as a key theme in 'The Twisted Tree'?
Q6.Below are three key themes in 'The Twisted Tree'. Match each theme to one way it is explored in the novel.
through the character of Martha and her role to water the tree
through Martha's powers in reading people through their clothes
through Martha's bravery and the tree's foreboding presence
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Reading 'The Twisted Tree': identifying key themes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Reading 'The Twisted Tree': identifying key themes, 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 'The Twisted Tree': fiction reading unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.