Plot and suspense

Australian Curriculum: English sub-strand: Literature — Responding to Literature

Choose one section from the text such as Isabella’s encounter with Raven on pages 50–57 or rescuing Isabella from Sneddon on pages 254-264, and create a plot diagram on the interactive whiteboard, identifying escalation, tension and dramatic portions of the plot. Lead a discussion on how suspense is built in the episode and add captions which demonstrate the language choices that contribute to building suspense.

Students will: Follow teacher’s directions. Chosen students will complete the diagram on the whiteboard. Students will provide examples of word choices.

Assessment as learning

Australian Curriculum: English sub-strand: Literature — Expressing and developing ideas

Deconstruct a section of text (for example page 133) identifying key language features such as sentence types, noun and verb groups, adjectival and adverbial groups. Review and provide time for students to reflect on what they have learned. Students’ recorded reflections will be used as assessment.

Students will: Create a word bank of words or phrases that create suspense. Contribute to discussion as to how reader engagement and suspense can be built through language choices. Record reflections in reading journal or similar.

Drama and language

Australian Curriculum: English sub-strand: Literature — Expressing and developing ideas

Create a cooperative cloze from the chosen extract on the whiteboard, omitting words that add to the drama. Scaffold students to select appropriate vocabulary choices that contribute to the suspense. Discuss the ways in which timing and pace between key scenes also contribute to the progression of the plot and the engagement of the reader.

Explain meaning of similes and metaphors. Ensure that students are using similes and metaphors correctly

Students will: Students will complete the cloze. Students will label their flying machines or create a new machine, such as an underwater explorer, an energy maker, etc, and label pictures with similes and metaphors. This diagram will be used as a prop for the writing of their narrative.

Review and literature circle

Australian Curriculum: English sub-strand: Literature — Responding to Literature

Review previously learned knowledge on plot, suspense and language choice. Conduct a Literature Circle of events using the chosen passage. PETAA book reference: Literature Circles in Holliday, M. (2008) Strategies for Reading Success, The Primary English Teaching Association Australia (Appendix 2) Modified version for plot development focus.

Students will: Take on modified defined roles and examine the plot, such as Summariser, Discussion director, Connector, Passage picker, Word wizard, Artful artist, Investigator.