Year Five English – Artemis Fowl

Year Five English –

Artemis Fowl

Twelve-year-old criminal mastermind, Artemis Fowl, My name hatches an ingenious plot to steal all the gold in fairy land. Although a little dubious about the plan - indeed My class not even quite believing in the existence of fairies - his trusty bodyguard and companion, Butler, is on hand to help. However, they have not reckoned on Captain Holly Short, who as first female officer in the Lower Elements Police Reconnaissance unit, or LEPrecon, has much to prove. When she is kidnapped by Artemis, she is determined to stand her ground and protect the fairy secrets. Artemis Fowl – Criminally good!

Name ______Monday, 29th June

The novel is not set in a ‘real’ place. Although we would say it is set in modern times, very much like our own, we don’t actually have the People living below us. We are asked to imagine things that don’t exist. As we read, we build up a picture of the world of the novel. This lesson will develop your skill of picking out important information and drawing conclusions from it.

What can we learn about this fictional world from this extract?

WAGOLL I can learn about when the book is set. The technology that is mentioned such as ‘digital camera’ and ‘portable phone’ makes me believe that we are looking Butler took the tiny tome reverentially. The around 20 to 30 years bodyguard activated a compact digital ago. camera and began photographing each wafer-thin page of the Book. The process took several minutes. When he was finished, the entire volume was stored on the camera’s chip. Artemis preferred not to take chances with information. Airport security equipment had been known to wipe many a vital disk. So he instructed his aide to transfer the file to his portable phone and from there e-mail it to Fowl Manor in Dublin. (p. 10)

Name ______

Here you have four extracts from the book, which tell us information about the setting. However, of course, we need to infer this information!

With the break-up of communist Russia, Artemis Senior had decided to invest a huge chunk of the Fowl fortune in establishing new shipping lines to the vast continent. New consumers, he reasoned, would need new consumer goods. The Russian Mafia did not take too kindly to a Westerner muscling in on their market and so decided to send a little message. This message took the form of a stolen Stinger missile launched at the Fowl Star on her very past Murmansk. Artemis Senior was on board the ship, along with Butler’s uncle and 250,000 cans of cola. It was quite an explosion. (p. 21)

The pressure elevators were powered by gaseous columns vented from the earth’s core. The LEP tech boys, under Foaly’s guidance, had fashioned titanium eggs that could ride on the currents. They had their own independent motors, but for an express ride to the surface there was nothing like the blast from a tidal flare. (p. 33)

Although she was enjoying the night air, Holly could taste traces of pollutants. The Mud People destroyed everything they came into contact with. Of course they didn’t live in the mud any more. Not in this country, at least. Oh no. Big fancy dwellings with rooms for everything – rooms for sleeping, rooms for eating, even a room to go to the toilet! Indoors! Holly shuddered. Imagine going to the toilet inside your own house. Disgusting! The only good thing about going to the toilet was the minerals being returned to the earth, but the Mud People had even managed to botch that up by treating the … stuff … with bottles of blue chemicals. (p. 37)

Butler raised an eyebrow. ‘Argh? Pathetic and inarticulate. Nice combination. Your mothers must be so proud.’ The stranger had crossed a sacred line. He had mentioned the men’s mothers. Nothing could get him out of a beating now, even the fact that he was obviously a simpleton. Albeit a simpleton with a good vocabulary. (p. 68)

Choose your challenge on the next page:

Name ______

Setting image.

Learning Statement:

Name ______

Tuesday, 30th June

Match up the sentence structure to its definition.

Sentence Structure Definition At least two clauses. One main clause (makes sense on its own) and one subordinate clause Simple Sentence (doesn't make sense on its own). e.g. Although it was raining, the man sat down and he ate his sandwich.

One main idea/clause. Must Compound Sentence contain a noun and a verb. e.g. The man sat down.

Two main ideas/clauses. Both must make sense on their own. Joined by a co-ordination Complex Sentence conjunction. e.g. The man sat down and he ate his sandwich.

Can you write an example of each?

Name ______Here is a child's review of Men in Black 3:

I think that Will Smith is a great actor. He is particularly brilliant in Men in Black 3. It is funny and it is very entertaining. If you haven’t seen it yet, then put it on your to-do list. There are lots of eye-catching effects, such as fast cars. There are plenty of jokes and there are some twists in the story plot too.

TASK Can you identify the three sentence types in the passage above?

Challenge: Can you identify the subordinate clauses?

APPLICATION It's your time to show me what you have learned! Can you write a six sentence account of what you know about Artemis so far? Use this structure:

- Simple - Compound - Complex - Simple - Compound - Complex

Challenge 1: Can you use a different co-ordinating or subordinating conjunction in every compound or complex sentence? Challenge 2: Can you take one of your complex sentences and vary the position of the subordinate clause as many times as you can? If you finish quickly, identify the sentence types in you work! You may wish to annotate or underline in different colours.

Name ______

FINAL TASK Here is a passage from Artemis Fowl: By now, you must have guessed just how far Artemis Fowl was prepared to go in order to achieve his goal. But what exactly was this goal? What outlandish scheme would involve the blackmailing of an alcohol-addicted sprite? The answer was gold.

Artemis’s search had begun two years previously when he first became interested in surfing the Internet. He quickly found the more arcane sites: alien abduction, UFO sightings and the supernatural. But most specifically the existence of the People. Trawling through gigabytes of data, he found hundreds of references to fairies from nearly every country in the world. Each civilisation had its own term for the People, but they were undoubtedly members of the same hidden family. Several stories mentioned a Book carried by each fairy. It was their Bible, containing, as it allegedly did, the history of their race and the commandments that governed their extended lives. Of course, this Book was written in Gnommish, the fairy text, and would be of no use to any human.

Space for any notes or responses to questions:

You are going to be looking at the sentence structure in this passage. Choose your challenge:

Name ______

In your learning statement today, please reflect on Colfer's style of writing using examples that you have identified to support you! E.g. I have learned that Colfer has used lots of different sentence types and uses questions to draw in the reader. For example, he writes, 'But what exactly was this goal?' The question creates suspense and invites the reader to answer, even though he or she cannot actually do so.

Learning Statement:

Name ______

Wednesday, 1st July

Make sure you have read up to the end of Chapter 3 before completing this lesson!

Here are some images of Artemis and Holly. We will be focusing on them over the next few lessons. If you could sum up each character in 3 words, what would they be?

Word 1: Word 2: Word 3:

Name ______

You will need to use the gingerbread man outline to record what you know about Artemis’ personality. You had a look at this last week so see what you can remember. Pop the personality information INSIDE the gingerbread man.

Can you also add any information you have read or inferred about what Artemis looks like around the outside of the outline?

Name ______

Just as you have just done for Artemis, it is now time to do the same for Holly! You have only just met Holly so this may take a little longer. You may want to refer back to what you have read to help you.

Can you also add any information you have read or inferred about what Holly looks like around the outside of the outline?

Name ______In preparation for ‘pretend interviews’ of Artemis and Holly tomorrow, record down the questions you would like to ask them. Choose your challenge and then record your questions next to the character’s image.

Learning Statement

Name ______

Thursday, 2nd July

HOT SEATING TASK You will need to get in to character today! You will need to pretend that you are Holly. Ask yourself the questions you came up with yesterday. What do you think Holly would say in response? Do the same for Artemis. You should notice that the way the two characters respond is very different. Look at the WAGOLL below to see how I have made it clear that it is Holly answering. You will also notice that I have explained WHY I think Holly would reply with that response.

My Question: Holly, why do you always look to defy orders?

Their Answer: Now I don't always defy my orders I'll have you know! But, sometimes I just know that what I think I need to do is the right thing. I'm fed up of people thinking that just because I'm a girl I can't make my own decisions!

The reason I think that Holly would say this as her answer is because she is a very strong willed and opinionated person. She does not believe it is fair that she is treated differently but she also needs to prove herself, which is why she continues to do what she believes is right to impress them, even if it turns out to be a bad idea.

You will need to complete at least one question for Holly and one for Artemis of your own. Choose your challenge below. On the next page, it is split in 2. You can use this to record your questions and answers.

Starter Risk: Start by doing a one or two line response. Try to think about why you have decided that they would respond in that way.

Medium Risk: Use your own questions and the WAGOLL to support your learning. Make sure you think about how each character would answer from how they speak in the book.

High Risk: Use evidence from the text to support the explanation of your responses. Link back to certain ideas or events. Think about how each character would respond. Use the WAGOLL to help you.

Learning Statement

Name ______

Friday, 3rd July

You must have read up to the end of Chapter 4 before completing this lesson.

Note down all the key events you can remember from Chapter 4: The Abduction.

E.g. Artemis is watching in the night to find Holly. He has a special structure where his heat cannot be detected.

We are going to focus on Holly's abduction by Artemis and Butler. First, let's focus on Holly's point of view.

What happens? How does Holly feel? How does this point of view make the reader feel?

Name ______

We are going to focus on Holly's abduction by Artemis and Butler. Now, let's focus on Artemis' point of view.

What happens? How does Artemis feel? How does this point of view make the reader feel?

FINAL TASK You are going to be writing witness statements of the abduction from more than one point of view.

A witness statement is a type of recount. Let's quickly recap the features.

Choose your challenge on the next page:

Name ______

Use the space on this page (and the next if you need it) to write your witness statements.

Name ______

Learning Statement

Name ______

Week Two Extras

Here you will find Glossary – Eoin Colfer uses some brilliant vocabulary and you could learn a great deal by using it in your own writing. Chapter synopses – brief notes of what is in the chapters that your teacher will read for you or play on the audiobook. Character list – well, it’s what you would expect…

Glossary Chapter 3 Chapter 4 abyss-deep or bottomless pit louts-thugs centaur-creature with head, arms and torso of a man parameters-limits and the body and legs of a horse reprovingly- disapprove strongly compensated-repay, pay back gibbering moron-a person talking rubbish complacent-satisfies with himself fathom-understand complied- obeyed moonlight jaunts-short journey crenellated-building with indentations for battlements implicitly-absolutely emanated-originated causing mayhem-causing damage/chaos epidemic-outbreak revelry-festivities geniality-friendliness debunk-expose inconspicuous-not noticeable affinity-likeness kleptomaniac-someone who can’t stop stealing eccentricity-strangeness labyrinth-maze/network consummate-complete misnomer- inaccurate name contrived-fixed/unnatural patrons-customers regime-government/rule perp (perpetrator)-someone who committed a crime lethargy-weariness pneumatic-air/gas under pressure diminutive-very small precedent-something like this has happened before reconnaissance-military inspection stereotypes-typecast/labelled thoroughfare-main road truculent-silent and aggressive

Chapter 5 Chapter 5 continued manacled-handcuffed/bound albeit-although septic-infected adversary-enemy/rival antagonizing-irritate/provoke ostentatious-showy/pretentious trivialities-unimportant overtly-clearly/openly brazen-bold pertinent-relevant/important shillelagh- a thick stick of blackthorn or oak used in superimpose-place over Ireland, typically as a weapon. perceptible distortion-noticeable deformity/twist compliance-obedience sheath-cover/case comrades-friends depravity-corruption/evil brandishing-wielding/waving judicious-sensible/careful cynicism-pessimism disembodied-ghostly, bodiless incompatible-mismatched demented-crazy, manic defied-challenged/confronted polarized-restrict vibrations suffice-be enough contraband-illegal imports diversion-distraction/change frivolity-light-heartedness/playful inarticulate-unable to express clearly

Name ______Synopses

Chapter Three - begins with Holly Short, an elf who belongs to the elite LEPrecon unit of the fairy underworld. Their job is to neutralize any contact with humans and keep their secret home underground from being known to the human world. Holly is the first and only female member of the LEPrecon unit and she is not treated as an equal, is expected to fail, and is in a bad mood because she is on the verge of being kicked out. She has been so busy with her job that she has not renewed her magic (a ritual that must be completed periodically) and is alarmingly low. When she enters her work area for her shift, she is greeted by an angry Commander. Root calls her into his office to tell her his expectations of her are high because she represents all the other female elves who want to be in LEPrecon as well – she is one minute late and that is unacceptable – she should be on traffic detail. A call comes in while Holly pleads her case; there is a troll on the loose in Southern Italy and Holly wiggles her way in getting the job of bringing him back. Trolls are notoriously stupid and will create havoc in the upper world. Elves are shuttled to the top world via gas chambers deep below the earth – and Holly shoots out of the tunnel and makes her way to the troll. All technology is routed through a brilliant centaur named Foaly and he makes sure Holly has the appropriate gear for her missions. Meanwhile, the troll is ransacking a restaurant full of customers and puts up a really good fight against Holly – she uses a spell to put the patrons to sleep and her magic is exhausted. She falls unconscious and wakes to Root’s angry face. When she says her magic has run out (revealing a lie she told in his office that she had plenty left) she is ordered to go complete the ritual ASAP.

Chapter Four - Artemis’s main problem is how to locate a leprechaun. Leprechauns are clever. They have never been photographed nor had their gold taken. Artemis calls Butler and Juliet to help him. He tells them there is a ritual that fairies undertake to renew their magic. They pick a seed from an ancient oak tree by a bend in the river at full moon. Artemis has run a cross-reference through the weather satellites and found there are one hundred and twenty nine matching sites in Ireland. Artemis hands Juliet a typewritten sheet of A4 papers detailing alterations to be made to the cellar in preparation for the leprechaun’s arrival. Butler wonders why they did not take the fairy in Ho Chi Minh City. Artemis tells him that once a fairy drinks with Mud People (humans), they are forever dead to the fairy world. Artemis gives Butler a list of items they will need for the stakeouts at each site. Butler is puzzled that the list includes sunglasses. Holly is flying over Europe on her way to Ireland. She is very upset when she sees the damage pollution has caused to dolphins. Holly looks on her wrist locater for a magical hotspot. When she arrives, she checks her wrist locater again for life forms. There is only a cow two fields away so she cuts her engine and lands by the ancient oak. Artemis and Butler have been on stakeouts for four months. Butler dreads the long nights of damp and insect bites. Artemis has invented a foil-lined hide that does not allow any heat to escape. They cannot be detected. Artemis looks unhappy. He tells Butler he is very worried about his mother and immediately the proximity alarm flashes red. Holly hooks her wings over a low branch, takes off her helmet and looks for an acorn. All she has to do is plant it somewhere else and her magic will return. Butler scans the area and tells Artemis there is a small figure by the tree. Artemis straps the mirrored sunglasses to his forehead and Butler picks up a specially adapted stun gun. At the precise moment Butler fires the gun, the fairy bends down. Holly is aware someone is firing at her. She curls into a ball and draws her pistol. A large hand grabs her then a boy asks her to surrender. Holly refuses, telling him she will use her magic against him. The boy laughs and tells her he knows all about the ritual, and he knows she has no magic left. Holly tries to hypnotise him using mesmer, but the boy pulls on his sunglasses for protection. As a hypodermic needle pierces her skin, Holly wonders how a human can know all about fairies. Butler picks up the helmet and shows it to Artemis. Artemis is amazed it has a nuclear power source. Butler shoves the fairy into a duffel bag.

Chapter 5 - Commander Root is smoking a smelly fungus cigar. It smells even worse than the troll does. Foaly tells him to put it out as it damages the computers and then tells the Commander that they have lost contact with Captain Holly Short. Foaly is the only one who can be rude to Commander Root as he invented the transportation system and is the only one who can operate it. There is a virus in the system that will destroy everything if anyone else touches the controls. They watch a tape from the camera in Holly’s helmet. They see her helmet fall to the ground and hear the voices of Artemis and Butler. Foaly is tracking Holly with the locator on her wrist. Commander Root gets a team ready to go and rescue her, which he will lead.

Name ______

Artemis discovers the translator. He is amazed by the advanced technology and knows he can make a lot of money patenting the ideas. Artemis instructs Butler to drive them to the Japanese whaler tied up at the docks. Commander Root is nervous about travelling up to the surface in the chutes. Foaly tells him not to worry. It is like riding a unicorn – you never forget. Artemis is trying to alter the locator without damaging it. He manages to open the back using magnets and inserts a tiny buttonhole camera into it. As they reach the docks, Artemis wants a diversion. Butler goes over to the dockers and starts a fight with them by insulting them and their mothers. Artemis does not tell Butler why he needs a diversion but Butler is sure it is necessary. Commander Root emerges from the pod, shaking as he has not enjoyed the journey, and makes his way to the passenger lounge at Tara. He has stopped all flights and there is an angry mob of gremlins waiting for him. He silences them, calls for the elf/goblin hybrid in charge and orders a complete evacuation of the shuttle port. Commander Root tells him the Mud People have committed an overtly hostile act. Captain Holly Short wakes up with the worst headache she has ever had. It feels as if her brains are being sucked out through her ears. She tries to call for help, but her mouth will not form the word, and her body has no strength. Something is digging into her ankle. A female voice asks her if she is awake. She recognises the language to be English. Holly struggles to open one eye and sees what she thinks is a giant blonde fly looking down at her. It is a girl in a pair of sunglasses. Holly realises she has been abducted by two humans during the Ritual, who have an extraordinary knowledge of fairy affairs. She looks for her locator and realises everything has been taken away from her. The girl tells her that Artemis Fowl has all her weapons and gadgets. Holly has fairy intuition and the name ‘Artemis Fowl’ makes her shiver. Holly wants to use mesmer on the girl but cannot hypnotise through reflective sunglasses. She wonders how the humans know so much about fairy customs. Holly tries to flatter the girl, telling her she would love to see her pretty eyes. The girl knows Holly is just trying to hypnotise her and keeps her sunglasses on. When Holly threatens her, she laughs and tells her when a fairy is in a human dwelling, they have to do whatever the humans want, and she wants her to remain on the bed. Again, Holly wonders how they know so much about fairies. Holly thinks she knows what is digging in her ankle and starts to form a plan. Commander Root is tracking the beam from Holly’s locator. The map he has of Dublin is over a hundred years out of date. Foaly updates his screen and Commander Root continues his search. The locator appears to be out at sea. Commander Root sees an old whaling boat and asks Foaly to scan the inside. Foaly cannot do this as the hull has a high lead content. He then asks Foaly to make sure the Retrieval Squad is on full alert. Commander Root knows he cannot use technology and is on his own, using just his wits and possibly a touch of magic. With his shield activated, he is invisible to human eyes. He lands on the deck and makes his way down a hatch. There are no humans here, just rats, dangerous because they can see through fairy shields. He continues along a passage, ignoring doors either side, following the signal from Holly’s locator. Ten metres away is a steel hatch, behind which should be the body of Holly. Commander Root opens the unlocked door, sets his gun to a higher stun level, and enters the room. It is a freezer storage room. Stalactites hang from pipes, but there is no one else in the room. There are no signs of life on his wrist locator. Commander Root hears a voice. It tells him he has been brought there for a demonstration and he has come to the wrong place to rescue Holly Short. There is a low crate in the centre, on which is an attaché case. He looks in the case. Inside are a flat vacuum packed package, a triple-band VHS transmitter and Holly’s locator. A light flickers in the package and Commander Root realises it is a semtex bomb. The voice sends greetings from Artemis Fowl the Second. Commander Root only just gets out in time before the whole ships goes up in flames. He tells Foaly to find out everything he can about Artemis Fowl.

Cast of Characters Artemis Fowl – the brilliant 12 year old criminal mastermind of the plot to steal the fairy gold. Butler – Artemis Fowl’s man-servant. His life is pledged to this He is highly trained in protection, weapons, and other warfare. Juliet – Butler’s sister who is pledged to care for Mrs. Fowl. She helps Artemis. Captain Holly Short – the LEPrecon unit officer caught by Artemis Fowl. She is the first female in LEPrecon. Commander Root – Holly’s boss. He cares about her and wants her to succeed as the first female LEPrecon officer, but pushes her hard.