War Horse Lesson 8: Back to Front - PowerPoint

Lesson Eight of the 'War Horse' series is an interactive session that aims to deepen students' understanding of the story by Michael Morpurgo. The lesson starts with a recap activity where students are tasked with completing a table detailing the characters and key events from chapters five to ten. This exercise is designed to test their knowledge and ensure they are up to speed with the narrative. The lesson then moves on to a focused reading and discussion of chapters eleven and twelve, where students explore the plot and characters further, delving into the intricacies of the story's progression.

The lesson also emphasises the importance of vivid description in literature, using Chapter 12 as a prime example of how Morpurgo effectively portrays the harrowing experiences of life on the front line during World War One. Students learn that vivid descriptions are crucial for helping readers visualise scenes and characters, and they do this by appealing to all the senses: sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. To put this into practice, students are encouraged to write their own descriptions of a chosen place, making detailed notes on how it appeals to each of the senses. The goal is to create a piece of writing so vivid that when read aloud, classmates can imagine the scene as if they were present, thereby bringing the writing to life.