'The Twisted Tree': Revising inferences
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can recall key extracts from the novel and make inferences about them.
Key learning points
- When making an inference, start by choosing a key word or technique to zoom in on.
- Inferences should be developed with additional ideas that could link to context.
- Similes and metaphors that link to snakes are often used, for the association with evil.
- Fog often symbolises mystery and danger.
Keywords
Inference - a conclusion you reach by applying logic to the evidence you are given
Sinister - giving the impression that something harmful or evil is about to happen
The Gothic - a style of writing that involves dark, mysterious and supernatural themes
Simile - A figure of speech where two separate things are deliberately contrasted for effect (using 'like' or 'as')
Common misconception
Pupils might think that inferences are just guesses without any evidence.
Inferences are not guesses; they are conclusions drawn from evidence in the text. For example, Burge describes the fog as "snaking" around Martha. We infer that it is dangerous and sinister because the word "snake" often implies danger and malice.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils to back up their inferences with specific quotes from the text. Have them practice annotating these quotes to show the evidence and reasoning behind their inferences. This will help solidify their understanding that inferences are grounded in textual evidence.
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.What is being described here 'a conclusion you reach by applying logic to the evidence you are given'?
Q2.Which of the below are reasonable synonyms of the word 'sinister'?
Q3.Which weather phenomenon often accompanies the arrival of the draugr in 'The Twisted Tree'?
Q4.A figure of speech where two separate things are deliberately contrasted for effect (using 'like' or 'as') is known as a ...
Q5.In what century did the Gothic genre first appear?
Q6.Identify one convention of a Gothic text.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does the word 'sinister' mean?
Q2.What is a simile?
Q3.What skill involves looking for suggested ideas rather than stated ones?
Q4.In 'The Twisted Tree' Burge uses a simile to compare the fog to a ...
Q5.The fog in 'The Twisted Tree' often symbolises ...
Q6.At one point in 'The Twisted Tree', Burge describes the fog as bending around the twisted tree itself. To which animal does she compare the fog to in this description?
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: 'The Twisted Tree': Revising inferences, 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': Revising inferences, 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.