Teacher-of of-literacy.com Treasure Island
Overview Read and compare extracts from Treasure Island original book, abridged versions, 1950s film and parody (Muppet Treasure Island), identifying features of older texts and inferring information. Complete reading journal entries, empathising with a main character or predicting events and/or reactions. Explore how classic texts are portrayed in film and and the techniques used. Use drama strategies to create the content of further events or chapters. Use non-fiction texts to support the context, e.g. biography of author. Develop particular aspects of written narrative: the use of formal and informal language, direct speech (including speech dialogue), complex sentences, paragraph structure. Write a new story in the style of the classic text just read. It is essential to have a copy of Treasure Island to teach this unit of work. Teachers may choose to read the whole story or to select turning points in the story to read in detail and summarise the rest. A complete version of the story is available here: http://www.online-literature.com/stevenson/treasureisland/1/ It is recommended that film clips are used to deepen understanding and compare extracts in different forms, particularly the parody Muppet Treasure Island which portrays the characters in a humorous way but tells the story in a unique and accessible way. Clips are available on YouTube but should be previewed before sharing with children.
Objectives In order that children make effective progress in core skills across the year, it is important that these Strands are planned for in every unit: Strand 6 Word Structure and Spelling at KS2. Strand 11 Sentence Structure and Punctuation at both key stages. These are in addition to the Objectives listed below. 2. Listening and responding Identify some different aspects of talk which vary between formal and informal. 4. Drama Improvise a range of drama strategies and conventions to explore themes such as hopes, fears and desires. Read a wide range of texts on screen and on paper. 6. Word structure and spelling Use a range of appropriate strategies to edit, proofread and correct spelling in own work, on paper and on screen. 7. Understanding and interpreting texts Deduce characters' reasons for behaviour from their actions and explain how ideas are developed in non-fiction. 8. Engaging with and responding to texts Compare how writers from different times and places present experiences and use language. Write a wide range of texts on paper and on screen. 9. Text structure and organisation Reflect independently and critically on own writing and edit and improve it. 11. Sentence structure and punctuation Punctuate sentences accurately, including use of speech marks and apostrophes.
Chapter 1 The Old Sea-Dog at the Admiral Benbow. This is a story told as a flashback in the first person by the main character. How does this help you to understand what is happening in the story? Talk for writing reading as a writer Read the first description of the mystery sailor who arrives at the inn seeking privacy and lodgings. How does this text makes you feel? What picture does it create in your mind? Write personal comments in your reading journal about this story. Draw your own picture of the sailor from the following description: a tall, strong, heavy, nut-brown man; his tarry pigtail falling over the shoulders of his soiled blue coat; his hands ragged and scarred, with black, broken nails; and a sabre cut across one cheek, a dirty, livid white. Fifteen men on the Dead Man s Chest Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum! Billy Bones sang this often. Speculate about what it could mean and discuss with a partner.
Jim Hawkins and Billy Bones Wikimedia Commons
Another pirate description He had two most evil-looking black eyes, his face was seamed with lines which seemed to express his wicked thoughts, his hideous chin, all unshaven, was as black as ink and as prickly as a furze-bush, his hair was long and black and it hung round his face in greasy curls. He was singing a horrible song about himself, keeping time by swinging in the air the gruesome stump of his right arm, on which a double-pronged hook was fixed instead of a hand. Compare the descriptions. Which one makes the character sound worse? Think about what the author has done in each case to develop the character of their pirate.
Describe the appearance of your pirate: http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/pirate-clothing.htm bandana breeches beard bracelet crutch cutlass eye patch gold gun earrings jewellery leather parrot sabre scarred pistol velvets satin skull & crossbones silk stockings ragged treasure weapon puffed sleeves tarry pigtail tricorn hat nut brown crimson violet purple deep blue Describe the personality of your pirate: bloodthirsty cruel murderous ferocious vicious fierce brutal strong powerful scary frightening bad fearsome mean wicked thief ugly terrifying villainous hard hearted Use the role on the wall to explore your pirate character. Now write a description of your own pirate character using appropriate vocabulary
Using the information you have found, write a report on Pirates in your own words. Paragraph 2 What happened to them? Paragraph Introduction what is a pirate? Paragraph 5 What did they steal? Paragraph 2 When were pirates around? Paragraph 4 Who were they? Give examples. Paragraph 3 Where were pirates found?
Under the wide and starry sky The Story of Robert Louis Stevenson Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish writer and poet who was greatly admired by many of his fellow writers of the time. He was born in Edinburgh on 13th November 1850. Both his father, grandfather and great-grandfather were lighthouse engineers and it was from this that the young Robert developed a love for the sea, the open road, and adventure. His father hoped that Robert would also become a lighthouse engineer, but Robert was ill as a child and suffered from constant problems with his lungs. As he grew older, he became more and more interested in literature. When he was seventeen years old, his father took him on a sea voyage and Robert s mind was so full of wonderful ideas about the coasts and islands they visited, his father finally agreed to him becoming a writer. In 1876, he met and fell in love with Fanny Osborne but they didn t get married until 1880 because Robert had bouts of illness, often to the point of almost dying. 1
Believing that a warmer climate would be good for his health, he decided to move abroad and during the next few years, produced some of his best known stories including Treasure Island and Kidnapped. He lived for a while on the Samoan island of Upolu where he became known by the natives there as Tusitala (Samoan for story writer). He was a very contended man, despite his prolonged illness, and stated that he had enjoyed a splendid life in which he grudged nothing and regretted very little and would not change places with any other man. On the evening of December 3rd, 1894, he asked his wife, Does my face look strange? and then collapsed beside her. He died a few hours later of a brain haemorrhage, at the age of 44. He was buried on his beloved island where his grave bears the inscription of his own poem, Requiem. Under the wide and starry sky Joyed to live, and joyed to die, Bury me now and let me lie Under the wide and starry sky. Here he lies where he longed to be Home is the sailor, home from the sea. Requiem 2
Robert Louis Stevenson Why do you think that Robert Louis Stevenson was admired by other writers? What effect did Robert s illness as a child have on his life? How do you think his father s occupation influenced his love of the sea? What does the line he was a very contented man, despite his prolonged illness tell you about Robert s personality? Where do you think he got his ideas from for Treasure island? This biography is written in the 3 rd person. What might Robert himself had said about his decision to become a writer? Find a word in the text that means the same as put up with. Why do you think Robert s father wanted him to be a lighthouse engineer? What do you think a lighthouse engineer s job was? In the extract from Requiem, joyed is used twice. What do think it means? The last two lines of requiem are written differently to the rest. What is the difference, and why do you think it has been written in this way?
Chapter 3 The Black Spot. Talk for writing reading as a writer Old Pew. Original illustration 1911 Wikimedia Commons Read the description of the scene where Blind Pew arrives, threatens Jim and leaves Billy Bones with the Black Spot. What kind of a person is Blind Pew? What might have happened to make him act like this? Discuss how each character feels at different stages in the scene. Choose either Jim or Billy Bones and tell the events of the scene from that character s point of view. Speculate about how your character feels at each stage. Imagine Jim is in the hotseat. Make a list of questions to ask him. Imagine Blind Pew is in the hotseat. What questions would you ask him? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcwijdpjx0q Link to an audio version of this chapter.
Shiver my Timbers from Muppet Treasure Island Shiver my timbers, shiver my soul. Yo ho, heave ho! There are men whose hearts as black as coal. Yo ho, heave ho! And they sailed their ship 'cross the ocean blue A bloodthirsty captain and a cut-throat crew. It's as dark a tale as was ever told Of the lust for treasure and the love of gold... Shiver my timbers, shiver my sides. Yo ho, heave ho! There are hungers as strong as the wind and tides. Yo ho, heave ho! And those buccaneers drowned their sins in rum The devil himself would have to call them scum! Every man aboard would have killed his mate For a bag of guineas or a piece of eight. Shiver my timbers, shiver my bones. Yo ho, heave ho! There are secrets that sleep with old Davy Jones. Yo ho, heave ho! When the mainsail's set and the anchor's weighed There's no turning back from any course that's laid. And when greed and villainy sail the sea, You can bet your boots there'll be treachery. Shiver my timbers, shiver my sails Dead men tell no tales!
Read the words from the song Shiver my timbers from Muppet Treasure Island. The word pirates isn t used but it s clear what the song is about. Annotate the text and highlight words and phrases that show you that this is about pirates. Highlight words and phrases that show it relates to an older story. Highlight examples of language effects: similes and metaphors. Discuss with a partner the meaning of the following: It's as dark a tale as was ever told There are hungers as strong as the wind and tides. There are secrets that sleep with old Davy Jones. There's no turning back from any course that's laid. And when greed and villainy sail the sea Watch the clip at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=risl9l8hzmm
In this chapter, Jim discovers the treasure map and is faced with the first of a series of dilemmas. What should he do? Chapter 6 The Captain s Papers In pairs, discuss reasons for and against taking the treasure map for himself. Join with another pair and share ideas. Hold a debate with the whole class. Complete a piece of discussion writing looking at both points of view and using appropriate connectives and sentence openers. FOR Example: It s no good to Billy Bones now so I might as well have it. AGAINST Example: On the other hand, it wouldn t be the right thing to do because it doesn t belong to me. but however although on the other hand despite this nevertheless yet in contrast to this
Chapter 7 I go to Bristol Read this extract from Chapter 7 Squire Trelawney s letter to Dr Livesey I wanted a round score of men in case of natives, buccaneers or the odious French but could only find half a dozen, until the most remarkable stroke of fortune brought me the very man I required. I was standing on the dock, when, by the merest accident, I began to talk to him. I found he was an old sailor, kept a public house, knew all the seafaring men in Bristol and wanted a good berth as cook to get to sea again. He had hobbled down there that very morning, he said, just to get the smell of the salt. I was very touched, and out of pure pity I engaged him on the spot to be the ship s cook. Long John Silver, he is called. He has lost a leg in his country s service, under the immortal Hawke. But he has no pension, Livesey! Imagine that! What an age we live in. Well, sir, I thought that I had only found a cook but it turned out I had discovered a whole crew. Between Silver and myself, we got together a company of the toughest old salts imaginable not pretty to look at, but of great spirit. I declare we could fight a war! Long John even got rid of some of the sailors I had already engaged, showing me in a moment that they were cowards not to be relied upon. Discuss with a partner what you think the words in red mean. Check on the next slide to see if you were correct, then re-use them in new sentences.
Glossary score odious fortune merest public house seafaring berth engaged pension old salts twenty horrible luck smallest inn, pub someone who goes to sea bed employed money you get when you are retired old sailors
Letter from Jim to his mother Imagine you are JIM HAWKINS. You have set sail from Bristol on the Hispaniola bound for an island where you hope to find treasure. Up to now, everything is going well. You have discovered that the cook is a one legged man but you are not afraid of him because he appears to be kind. You are now going to write a letter telling your mother about your adventure so far. My dear Mother, On the next slide are some words and phrases to help you write your letter: Jim meets long John Silver Wikimedia Commons
Jim Excited eager thrilled overjoyed looking forward to voyage impressed with LJS keen enthusiastic even about chores might be worried about his mother at home by herself. Write your letter using some of these words and phrases if you need them. Make sure you include Jim s feelings. Hispaniola Schooner large sails masts Crow s nest wooden decks crew fast apples stored in barrels ship s biscuit spy-glass LJS Kind big twinkling eyes face as big as a ham good cook has a parrot called Captain Flint one leg makes Jim welcome in his galley helped Squire Trelawney find the crew Treasure Map Belonged to Billy Bones mysterious could lead to adventure and making a fortune but could also lead to danger!
Describe this scene. Pirate Treasure now it s your turn! Who is the person hiding? What time in history? Who is he? Describe his appearance What time of day? What words is he saying? Illustration Stella Perrett 2011 What will happen next? Why is he/she there? What is he/she thinking at this moment What is the treasure? Where are they?
Viewpoint in a story. Write a description of the scene from the point of view of the pirate. Think about: what the pirate says what kind of language would he use? what he is thinking and feeling whether he realises he is being watched? what he will do when he discovers the person hiding what might happen next. Write another description of the scene from the point of view of the person hiding.
Your Pirate Treasure Plan Characters Setting Beginning Problem Ending Solution
Pirate Treasure Lady Camilla threw herself down on her huge bed, sobbing uncontrollably. Her emerald green dress was torn and dirty where she had been dragged along the ground and her throat was sore where her necklace had been wrenched violently from around her neck. Oh, Jim! she wailed, They have taken almost all my fortune. Jim hovered in the doorway, not knowing what to do to help his mistress. He couldn t bear to see her so miserable, but he felt as helpless as a kitten. He had only caught a glimpse of the pirates as they made off in the moonlight with the most treasured items from the house, including Lady Camilla s priceless diamond necklace. Is there nothing left? Jim asked, knowing the answer. Only some gold coins my father left me, answered Camilla, If only they had left the necklace. It is worth ten times all the rest put together. Oh, Jim, what can I do? From what Jim knew about buccaneers, he thought that Lady Camilla had been very lucky to have lost only the necklace. He decided there and then that he must follow them, even though he was certain their leader was the most feared pirate ever to sail the seven seas, none other than Black Jack himself. And he had no weapons, only an old catapult. 1
If only he could rescue the diamond necklace, it would be worth the risk. He had a good idea where they were heading Port Cariba. He would never tell her, but he knew that Lady Camilla had herself been a pirate at an earlier and reckless time in her life. He also knew the real reason why she was so desperately upset about her necklace. It was indeed precious, but more for its secret inscription that identified her as Cutlass Kate, a wanted buccaneer than for its value in money. He knew what he had to do to protect her. As dawn crept over the hills, Jim was already on the trail. He managed to hitch a lift on a hay cart, then ran the rest of the way to the coast. As he approached the harbour, his heart thudding in his chest, he could see the schooner ahead of him. He sneaked behind some sacks of sugar and waited. Suddenly, he spied his chance. He was in luck. The ship was being loaded with barrels of apples. If he could just manage to climb inside one Jim tiptoed to where the barrels were stored and slowly, carefully, inched his way along the wall towards them, watching all the time, praying that the crew members would be too busy to notice him. He heaved himself up the sides of the nearest barrel and slipped silently into it. He daren t breathe. 2
Without warning, the barrel was on the move. He gripped the sides and desperately hoped he wouldn t fall out. Last one, matey! he heard a voice cry out. The heavy barrel was rolled into the hold of the ship and Jim heard the footsteps of the crew fading up the steps. As soon as he felt it was safe, he was out of the barrel and up the steps as nimbly as a spring lamb. Gruff voices were getting louder. Someone was coming. He must hide. He clambered over sacks and crouched on the steps behind an open door before realising this was all the treasure from his mistress s house. Before he could find a better place to hide, he heard heavy footsteps approaching and Black Jack himself strode into the room, his lilac neckerchief tied around his neck. Jim held his breath. He dare not move a muscle. A tall, heavy, nut-brown man, his tarry pigtail hung down beneath his red bandanna and his black beard and staring eyes made Jim gape in horror. Black Jack raised his right hand. In it was the diamond necklace, glinting in the lamplight. Aye, we ll share the treasure, lads, he muttered to himself, But not a man among you will get their hands on this little beauty. He turned it over in his hand and the expression on his face changed to one of puzzlement. Just then, a call came from above. Jack wound the necklace around his pistol and strode out on to the deck. 3
The crew were getting ready to set sail and the Jamaica was almost shipshape. Soon, they would be out at sea. Jim dare not wait any longer. He stole silently up the steps on to the deck, sneaked behind the treasure chest and pulled himself up into the rigging. Luckily, a sail had been raised and he managed to stay out of sight as he cautiously crawled higher. He wound a rope around his wrist, pulled his catapult carefully from his pocket and loaded it with a heavy pebble. He aimed the catapult directly at Black Jack s head. There was not a moment to lose. He had to do it now. At the instant he released the pebble, Black Jack turned, as if in slow motion, and Jim s heart was in his mouth. But the low sun had blinded him and the pebble struck him on the forehead before he even had time to draw his pistol. He stumbled backwards, and the necklace fell from his pistol and rolled across the deck. Jim launched himself forward and swung down to the deck on the rope. Swiftly, before Black Jack could steady himself, he grabbed the necklace and ran towards the gangplank, not really knowing what his next move would be. He just knew he had to escape from this terrifying pirate. Behind him, he could hear his angry, thunderous voice, quivering with fury. Stop that thief! he bellowed. 4
All at once, he was surrounded. His arms were pinned against his sides and scarred, angry faces loomed in front of him. He could see blackened teeth, eye patches and earrings and knew he had breathed his last. He knew what pirates did as punishments. His legs gave way beneath him as his eyes closed and he shuddered in fear. Suddenly, a musket shot rang out. His arms were released. He fell to his knees on the deck and was too petrified to open his eyes, but his hand stayed clenched around the diamond necklace. When he finally dared to open his eyes, he saw Black Jack in front of him, but he was not alone. Jim almost fainted with relief. The famous blue coats of the King s Navy were on either side of the infamous pirate. Well done, lad, said one of them, helping him to his feet. We ve been after this lot for a long time and now we have caught them red-handed, thanks to your bravery, and this notorious fellow will be executed for his crimes. But how? Jim began, then saw, on the harbour side, the familiar face of his mistress, the Lady Camilla, and he realised what had happened. She must have alerted the Navy when she noticed that Jim had disappeared. He ran triumphantly towards her, his hand raised in victory, still clutching the diamond necklace, safe in the knowledge that the identity of his beloved Lady Camilla had remained a secret which he would keep forever. 5
Her diamond green dress was torn and dirty where she had been dragged along the ground. He had only caught a glimpse of the pirates as they made off in the moonlight. They took the most treasured items, including Lady Camilla s priceless diamond necklace. As dawn crept over the hills, Jim was already on the trail. As he approached the harbour, he could see the schooner ahead of him.
He sneaked behind some sacks of sugar and he waited. As soon as he felt it was safe, he was out of the barrel and up the steps. Before he could find a better place to hide, he heard heavy footsteps approaching. As he stumbled backwards, he let go of the necklace. Jim launched himself forward and then he swung down to the deck on the rope.
Success criteria self, peer and teacher assessment. Give an example where you can to show you are confident in that skill. Have I used? A mixture of simple and complex sentences Correct spelling Example or Paragraphs Good sentence openers Ambitious vocabulary Dialogue A clear beginning, middle and end Connectives Language effects (e.g. similes) Advanced punctuation (;, )
Cargoes by John Masefield Read and enjoy this classic poem which compares exotic journeys in tropical seas with a boat in the English Channel. Quinquireme of Ninevah* from distant Ophir** Rowing home to haven in sunny Palestine, With a cargo of ivory And apes and peacocks, Sandalwood, cedarwood, and sweet white wine. Stately Spanish galleon coming from the Isthmus Dipping through the tropics by the palm-grove shores, With a cargo of diamonds, diamonds, amethysts, Topazes, and cinnamon, and gold moidores. Dirty British coaster with a salt-caked smoke stack, Butting through the Channel in the mad March days, With a cargo of Tyne coal, Road rail, pig-lead, Firewood, ironware and cheap tin trays.