Coming to England
Caroline Johnstone at Christchurch Middle School has created an interesting literacy unit for Year 6 pupils to fit in with Y6 T1 Autobiography work, based on Floella Benjamin’s autobiography Coming to England, in which she describes moving from Trinidad to England. Geography links are weather, climatic zones around the world and comparing localities. The work created a stunning display which can be seen here.
The planning details are below:
English Year 6 Term 1 Learning Objectives:
To know the difference between biographies and autobiographies
To be able to write in the correct tense for part of an autobiography
Geography Objectives:
- Distinguish between weather in Trinidad and England
- Sort phrases into descriptions of the weather to classify those from Tropical or Temperate regions
Lesson 1: Read the first chapter of Floella Benjamin’s Coming to
England. Discuss the tense used.
Lesson 2: Link with Geography: Pupils to complete worksheet on the
climatic phrases from the book – do they refer to England or Trinidad? Pupils
design a book cover for their own autobiography and a biography they would like
to write.
Lesson 3: Discuss what would make an interesting extract from an
autobiography. Discuss the tense it will be written in. Start to draft out
ideas. Extract from their own autobiography to be completed for homework.
Phrases from Coming to England to be sorted into correct climatic regions
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Sudden darkness |
The sun seemed to disappear under the low clouds |
Nights start so early |
Trembling with cold |
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Trees stood naked like skeletons exposing every limb |
Tarmac roads melt |
Bright yellow sun beating down |
Houses on stilts |
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I felt as if my body was going to break |
Car parked under the house |
Torrents of rain lash down |
Grey blanket of fog |
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Very hot from December to June |
Tropical rain forest in the mountains |
Cold winds that would tear the skin on my face |
The heat warmed my inner soul |
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The grass was so green |
Near the equator |
Cold, grey, misty mornings |
Cloudless skies |
Pupils’ worksheet
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Coming to England by Floella Benjamin |
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Phrases I think describe the weather in Trinidad |
Phrases I think describe the weather in England |
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When you have read the book, tick the ones you got
correct. |
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