Year 4 English 15th June 2020 Kensuke’s Kingdom By Michael Morpurgo Read chapter 2 and up to the end of the October 11th log entry on page 29. 1. Explore a character Skill: retrieval and inference Word of the day - idle Definition: avoiding work, lazy Example: Only one of the crew was allowed to be idle – Stella Artois. Today we are going to explore a character and find out information about them through what we can retrieve and infer from the text. Retrieve = to get or bring something back. So to find information that is written down and record it. Infer = conclude (work something out) from the evidence that has been written, spoken or viewed in a picture. You will be using information from chapter 1 as well as what you have read in chapter 2 and part of chapter 3. Look at this extract. What can we discover about Michael? Well we can retrieve that he loves steering the Peggy Sue. We can also infer that he is really helpful because he does lots of different jobs, even though he doesn’t enjoy it all. Using inference and retrieval, record everything you know about Michael around this picture of him. Consider his likes, dislikes and hobbies as well as personality traits. Try to add evidence from the text to support your ideas. 2. Explore and analyse the features of an informal letter Word of the day - vivid Definition: producing powerful feelings or strong, clear images in your mind Example: I remember them so vividly. To help us write a good letter this week, we need to know what features to include. On the next page there is an example of an informal letter. Informal letters are written to people we know well such as friends and family members. See if you can find all the features of informal letters in the example given. You could print the page and highlight the features or underline them. 123 Green Street Greenwich London SE10 1SA 14th February 2019 Dear John, I hope you’re keeping well. I’m just writing to let you know that I’ve moved house. As you know, I went for an interview for a job here in London. Well, they gave me the position! As it would have been impractical to travel down to London daily from Birmingham, we’ve found a house here in a lovely part of London called Greenwich. Our new house isn’t ideal though. London house prices are crazy so we were only able to afford a one-bedroom flat. But on the bright side, it’s on the ground floor, it’s got nice big windows, and a lovely view out onto the garden. If you ever fancy a trip to London, you’re more than welcome to come and stay. It would be great to see you. From where we live, it’s only a quick journey on the underground into the city centre, so we could do some sight-seeing or go to the theatre together. Keep in touch to let me know how you are getting on. All the best, Mike Informal letter features: • Senders address (right hand side) • Date • Opening/appropriate greeting • Paragraphs – each with a specific focus/subject • Friendly closing • Chatty, friendly tone. • Contracted words (don’t, can’t etc) • Sign off with first name only 3. Gather ideas for a letter using notes Word of the day - talisman Definition: An object that is thought to have magical powers and/or bring good luck. Example: Now you know a little about his personality from Monday’s lesson, you are going to plan (today) and then write (next 2 days) a letter as Michael to your best friend Eddie. Today you are going to gather ideas to include in a letter. You will need to use information from chapter 2 as well as part of chapter 3 (up to page 29, the end of October 11th entry). Either print this out and fill in with your bullet point notes or make notes in your home learning book under these headings. Paragraph 1: Opening ........................................................................................ ........................................................................................ ........................................................................................ ........................................................................................ Paragraph 2: Life on the Peggy Sue ........................................................................................ ........................................................................................ ........................................................................................ ........................................................................................ ........................................................................................ ........................................................................................ Paragraph 3: Where have you travelled to and what have you seen? ........................................................................................ ........................................................................................ ........................................................................................ ........................................................................................ ........................................................................................ ........................................................................................ What are you doing at the moment? Describe what life is like and the day to day things you do. What jobs do you have? What do you really love/hate doing? Retrieve information from the text to include in here. You may have 2 paragraphs here depending on what you write about. E.g. a good experience and bad experience. ........................................................................................ Is there anything you want to ask ........................................................................................ Eddie? ........................................................................................ ........................................................................................ Paragraph 4: Closing 4. Write a letter in role as a character Focus: paragraphs Word of the day - adamant Definition: refusing to be persuaded or change one’s mind Example: I was going to have to keep up with my school work. My mother was adamant about that. Today you are going to write the first 2 paragraphs of your letter. Our focus in our writing today is organising your ideas in to paragraphs. Therefore, it is important you use your plan to structure each paragraph and try not to mix up content within paragraphs. Each paragraph has a specific focus or subject. Paragraph 1 – introduction and what you are doing now Paragraph 2 – what life is like on the Peggy Sue Informal letter features: • • • • • • • • Senders address (right hand side) Date Opening/appropriate greeting Paragraphs – each with a specific focus/subject Friendly closing Chatty, friendly tone. Contracted words (don’t, can’t etc) Sign off with first name only Use this address when writing as Michael to Eddie Quebra Canela Praia Cape Verde 11th October 1987 Also try to include: - A variety of punctuation ! ? - Conjunctions to join ideas together - Consider how your sentences start just so your letter doesn’t sound too repetitive if it always starts with ‘I’ WAGOLL What a good one looks like Quebra Canela Praia Cape Verde 11th October 1987 Dear Eddie, Ahoy there! I am having the time of my life aboard the Peggy Sue but wish you were here too. You’ll never guess what! I’ve just finished fishing with dad and managed to catch another fish for dinner. That’s 5 I’ve caught now! Life is great, although everything is always damp. I guess that’s not surprising living on a boat! I’m always so busy and I’ve got so many jobs, which are not all exciting! Some of my many tasks are; taking the sail in and letting it out, winching, turning the wheel (which is my favourite thing), mending and fixing with dad, mopping, washing and drying. I was hoping it might mean no school work as I’m so busy with boat life but mum and dad formed some sort of conspiracy and arranged lots of work for me to complete. Luckily it’s quite fun as I get to learn about lots of things I see, plus I get to keep a log book to record what we do each day. That will be fun to look back on once we’re home. 5. Write a letter in role as a character Focus: subordinating conjunctions Word of the day - conspiracy Definition: a secret plan by a group to do something harmful or unlawful Example: They uncovered a conspiracy against the government. Today you are going to complete your letter. The writing skill today is using subordinating conjunctions. The next page will explain these and give some examples. There is then a model example and finally it is your chance to have a go. Don’t forget to proof read your work once you have finished. Check punctuation, spellings and sense. A subordinating conjunction is a word that connects two clauses together. A subordinating clause adds extra information to the main clause, but does not make sense (and is not a complete sentence) on it’s own. Example: Do not cross the road on a sharp bend as it is dangerous. When you have finished your dinner, you may have pudding. The 2 sentences above show how a subordinating conjunction has been used to add detail to the sentence. The red part does not make sentence on it’s own though. Subordinating conjunctions because when if as although while until since even though Try to use subordinating conjunctions in your writing today. E.g. While I was doing my homework, Stella was barking at dolphins swimming alongside us. We’ve travelled to so many incredible places already, even though we’ve only been away around a month. We visited Spain first, although it was scary trying to get there because the Bay of Biscay had the most horrendous weather. The wind was at gale force 9, 10 sometimes and this meant the poor Peggy Sue was thrown up, down, left and right. Despite Barnacle Bill’s warning, we weren’t quite prepared for how bad it was going to be. I really thought we would sink before we’d ever reached anywhere. Luckily, we got through it somehow and thank goodness for Stella Artois to cuddle during those treacherous days. When we were sailing past Africa, I saw a flying fish. Can you believe that?! I even drew a picture in my log book so I remember how they look. While I was doing that, mum saw something even better. She saw a basking shark! I tried looking for it, even using the binoculars, but couldn’t find it. I looked it up after though and they’re huge, although they don’t eat people, just tiny plankton. I’m so glad to have the football you gave me. It’s my good luck charm and we all have fun playing with it, especially Stella Artois. I’m hoping when we dock that I’ll get to have kick about on the beach. I miss the Mudlarks and you so much! I’ll write again soon. Michael
