Reading 'The Twisted Tree': the climax
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can understand what the climax of the novel is.
Key learning points
- Martha visits Hel in the underworld.
- Hel gives Martha a magical cord that could allow her to return the dead to the underworld.
- Martha's mother arrives to help her.
- Martha and her mother work together to kill the draugr.
- This is the climax of the novel.
Keywords
Climax - the point in the narrative where the suspense and excitement reach their highest point
Gnarled - rough and twisted with age
Recoil - flinch back in fear, terror or disgust
Emanate - spread out from a source
Fledgling - a new, inexperienced or immature person or animal; a bird that has left the nest
Common misconception
The climax comes at the end of a story.
The climax is actually the high point of tension and action in a story, not necessarily at the end. It usually occurs towards the end but is followed by the resolution where the remaining conflicts are settled.
Teacher tip
In Learning Cycle 2, you may wish to link the story structure to other texts you have studied with your pupils.
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 serious crime
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'The Twisted Tree', which two characters are murdered trying to protect Martha from the draugr?
Q2.In 'The Twisted Tree', what is the name of the Norse god of the Underworld?
Q3.Match the characters from 'The Twisted Tree' to the correct description.
the protagonist who has supernatural powers
breaks into Mormor's cabin after running away from home
the weavers of fate in Norse mythology
god of the underworld
a living corpse who kills the living
Martha's great-grandmother
Q4.Which of these would not be considered a theme in 'The Twisted Tree'?
Q5.Which word beginning with 'a', can be described as 'a person's family history or lineage'?
Q6.In 'The Twisted Tree' Martha and Stig's relationship develops as the novel progresses. Starting with the first, put these plot points in to the correct order to show how their relationship develops.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'The Twisted Tree', what does Martha use to kill the draugr?
Q2.In 'The Twisted Tree', Martha visits the underworld. Which information does Hel not give to Martha?
Q3.In 'The Twisted Tree', who appears to help Martha finally defeat the draugr?
Q4.Which part of a story's structure can be described as the point in the narrative where the suspense and excitement reach their highest point?
Q5.Which part of a story's structure, beginning with the letter 'r', can be described as the end of the story where the problems are resolved?
Q6.Which definition best matches the word 'emanate'?
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Reading 'The Twisted Tree': the climax, 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': the climax, 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.