'The Twisted Tree': Consolidating knowledge of the plot
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify and compare all the major plot points of ‘The Twisted Tree’ and write a clear summary.
Key learning points
- Summaries are important revision tools for understanding the plot.
- A summary should be concise, chronological and only include the most important moments.
- Using time connectives allows you to write a clear, chronological summary.
- Using comparative connectives allows you to compare the significance of key moments.
Keywords
Chronological - arranged in the order that events happen over time, from earliest to latest
Summary - a concise version of a longer text, capturing the most important information and main ideas
Connective - a word or phrase that connects other words or sentences
Plot - the main events of a story
Common misconception
Pupils might believe that writing a summary means including all details from the story.
Explain that a summary should only include the most important events and main ideas in a concise manner. Remind them that the goal is to capture the essence of the story, not every detail.
Teacher tip
Encourage students to use a 'summary frame', where they list key events in bullet points before writing their summary. This helps them focus on the most important parts and organise their thoughts effectively. Additionally, you could provide examples of well-written summaries for comparison.
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
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.'The Twisted Tree' was written by Rachel ...
Q2.What is a 'connective'?
Q3.'The Twisted Tree' was heavily influenced by ...
Q4.What is the purpose of a plot in a story?
Q5.What does 'characterisation' mean in literature?
Q6.What is an example of a comparative connective?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the purpose of a summary?
Q2.What word means 'arranged in the order that events happen over time'?
Q3.Which character tells Martha how to kill the draugr in 'The Twisted Tree'?
Q4.Which connective is best used to indicate a difference?
Q5.What type of word is 'initially'?
Q6.Which of these is a time connective?
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: 'The Twisted Tree': Consolidating knowledge of the plot, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: 'The Twisted Tree': Consolidating knowledge of the plot, 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.