Learning objective

This lesson will help pupils to:

• investigate and recognise a range of other ways of presenting texts, eg speech bubbles

Prior learning
Before pupils start this lesson they should:

• know that we can write down the words that people say

Introduction
While most pupils will already be familiar with the use of speech bubbles in published texts, they may not use them in their own writing. The activities in this lesson encourage pupils to recognise speech bubbles as an alternative way of presenting speech.

What is a speech bubble?
Aim:

• to introduce speech bubbles

Resources:

• narrated text
• illustrated example
• off-screen extension activity

Teaching point:

• Pupils learn that when we draw a picture, we sometimes place the words that a person says inside speech bubbles.

What is a thought bubble?
Aim:

• to introduce thought bubbles

Resources:

• narrated text
• illustrated example

Teaching point:

• The unit shows that thought bubbles are sometimes used to present a person's thoughts. This unit will help to encourage more able pupils to distinguish between speech bubbles and thought bubbles in their own writing.

Using speech bubbles
Aim:

• to provide pupils with the opportunity to explore the use of speech bubbles

Resources:

• narrated text
• online activity

Teaching point:

• This activity uses well-known phrases and sentences from Jack and the Beanstalk. In particular, pupils learn about the positioning of speech bubbles.

Who said it?
Aim:

• to reinforce the purpose of speech bubbles
• to provide practice in using speech bubbles

Resources:

• printable worksheet

Teaching point:

• In the first part pupils draw characters to accompany well-known quotations from traditional tales. In the second part pupils write a speech bubble to include in their own drawing of a favourite storybook character.

Extension activities

• In a shared reading session locate examples of speech bubbles and thought bubbles in published texts. The Lighthouse Keeper's Lunch by Ronda Armitage is a useful picture book for this purpose.
  
• Demonstrate the use of speech bubbles in a shared writing session. Discuss how writers of picture books use speech bubbles sparingly.
  
• Compare and contrast the use of speech marks and speech bubbles.