'The Twisted Tree': writing an article about Mormor's death
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can write an article about Mormor’s death that includes a variety of sentence types for different effects.
Key learning points
- Writing with focus – one sentence at a time – allows you to carefully craft each sentence.
- A paragraph should include simple, compound and complex sentences.
- Starting a sentence with an adverb can be effective, to set the tone and add further detail.
Keywords
Simple sentence - a sentence with a subject and a verb that expresses a thought or idea
Compound sentence - compound sentences join together two main clauses to form one complete sentence
Complex sentence - a sentence made up of a main clause (which makes sense by itself) and a subordinate clause
Adverb - words or phrases that modify or qualify an adjective or verb
Common misconception
Pupils might confuse compound and complex sentences, thinking that any sentence with more than one clause is a complex sentence.
A compound sentence has two main clauses that can each stand alone as separate sentences, joined by a coordinating conjunction. In contrast, a complex sentence has one main clause and at least one subordinate clause that cannot stand alone.
Teacher tip
Use colour-coding to visually differentiate between main clauses and subordinate clauses. For example, highlight main clauses in yellow and subordinate clauses in green. This visual aid can help pupils more easily identify the structure of compound and complex 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
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is an adverb?
Q2.Which sentence correctly uses an adverb which modifies a verb?
Q3.What is a simple sentence?
Q4.Which of the following is a compound sentence?
Q5.Identify the main clause in the following complex sentence: 'Although it was raining, they went for a walk.'
Q6.In the sentence: 'The teacher smiled, and the students cheered.' what is the function of the word 'and'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is a simple sentence?
Q2.What do compound sentences join together?
Q3.Identify the subordinating conjunction in the following sentence: 'Since training more, the team had played very well together.'
Q4.Which sentence type is used to ask a question?
Q5.What is the purpose of 'focused writing'?
Q6.Which of the following sentences is an example of a complex sentence?
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: 'The Twisted Tree': writing an article about Mormor's death, 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': writing an article about Mormor's death, 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.