Inspired by: Leon and the Place Between - Week 4

In a captivating week of learning inspired by "Leon and the Place Between," students focus on maintaining consistent and correct tense usage within their writing. The week's activities revolve around a dramatic circus scene where an unfortunate tumbler's accident leaves the audience in shock and the show in need of a new juggler. The task at hand is to create a 'person specification' for the vacant juggler position, considering essential skills, desired characteristics, physical requirements, and any other relevant factors. Students are then challenged to write a persuasive job application letter, vying for the role of the replacement juggler. With many hopefuls applying, the class will vote on the letters, determining who has crafted the most convincing case to join the circus act.

The learning journey continues as students delve into the art of storytelling in "The Place Between." They explore how language, structure, and presentation contribute to the reader's understanding and experience of the text. Angela McAllister's choice of words and Grahame Baker-Smith's illustrations are examined for their ability to conjure vivid images and emotions. Students are encouraged to identify and analyze various elements such as sentence length, font size, punctuation, color, and contrast, noting their impact on the reader. They are also tasked with identifying differences in the writing style when the protagonist, Leon, transitions to 'the other place,' encouraging a deeper engagement with the narrative and its construction.