Private Peaceful: Chapter 9 'A Minute Past Three' - Chapter Unit (Michael Morpurgo)

This resource consists of a powerpoint presentation and some worksheets to use with Chapter 9 of Michael Morpurpo’s ‘Private Peaceful’. The main activity is for pupils to write a 1st Person narrative as if they are a soldier in World War 1. This narrative will centre on a particular World War 1 setting selected by the pupils. This could be the trenches, no-man’s-land, a hospital, a French village or any other suitable settings pupils think of.

The powerpoint helps to organise the lesson, checking pupils’ understanding of the chapter and setting up class/group discussions. The worksheets consist of a writing plan for pupils to complete, lined paper for the writing activity and a barbed wire word wall for pupils to complete as an extension activity. In this they decorate the barbed wire lined page with words and phrases related to World War 1.

This resource can last for between 2 and 4 hours depending on how much time you allow for each activity.

This is the lesson plan:
• Pre-Reading Discussion:

• What do you already know about World War 1?

• Listen to/read the 9th chapter of the novel.

• Check your comprehension of the story by describing what happened using the images on the lesson powerpoint.

• Class Discussion:
• What have you learned about World War 1 from the chapter?
• Class/Group Discussion: World War 1 Settings

• Verbally describe the World War 1 settings shown on the powerpoint

• Lesson Activity:
Write A 1st Person Narrative As A Soldier In WW1
Describing A Setting
• Complete a writing plan for your description.

• Write your 1st person narrative.

• Extension Work:
• Create A Barbed Wire Word Wall

• Decorate the barbed wire poster with words or phrases related to World War 1.

Plenary: Create A Class Barbed Wire Word Wall

Please check out our other ‘Private Peaceful’ resources.