Curated Video
The theme of happiness in 'Anna Hibiscus' Song'
Pupil outcome: I can link a story to my own feelings and experiences. Key learning points: - Recalling events in the story helps to summarise the most important parts - The actions of a character are what the character does or says -...
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Researching Charles Darwin's life
Pupil outcome: I can tell the story of Charles Darwin's life up to and including his visit to the Galapagos Islands. Key learning points: - Charles Darwin was a British naturalist known for his contributions to the theory of evolution. -...
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Developing understanding of 'When Stars are Scattered' through rich discussions
Pupil outcome: I can discuss the main ideas of ‘When Stars are Scattered’. Key learning points: - 'When Stars are Scattered' is a graphic novel memoir of Omar Mohamed's experience of living in a refugee camp in Kenya. - Omar and his...
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Developing understanding of 'Swallow's Kiss' through rich discussions
Pupil outcome: I can discuss the main ideas of ‘Swallow’s Kiss’. Key learning points: - 'Swallow's Kiss' is written in free verse. - Free verse is any form of poetry that does not rely on consistent patterns of rhyme and meter. - It is...
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Exploring the characters and key themes in 'The Journey'
Pupil outcome: I can understand the key themes and the characters’ emotions in ‘The Journey’. Key learning points: - A theme is a big idea, topic or message that appears in a story. - Themes in a story are used to convey deeper meaning...
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Exploring themes in 'The Moon Dragons'
Pupil outcome: I can identify and explain the main themes within 'The Moon Dragons'. Key learning points: - A theme is a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story and authors use these to convey deeper meaning. - Identifying...
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Developing understanding of 'Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths' through rich discussion
Pupil outcome: I can discuss the main ideas of ‘Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths’. Key learning points: - 'Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths' explores British East/South-East Asian prejudice. - In the story, there are some examples of...
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Researching information about pandas' appearance and physical features
Pupil outcome: I can write notes about pandas' appearance and adaptations from a range of sources. Key learning points: - Information can be gathered from a range of different sources. - Credibility of each source must be determined. -...
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Exploring and engaging with themes in 'Coming To England’
Pupil outcome: I can identify and reflect on the key themes in 'Coming to England'. Key learning points: - ‘Coming to England’ highlights Floella’s resilience and advocacy against racism. - The text has themes of determination,...
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Researching information about a penguin's appearance and adaptations
Pupil outcome: I can write notes about a penguin's appearance and physical features from a range of sources. Key learning points: - Information can be gathered from a range of different sources. - Credibility of each source must be...
Curated Video
Understanding the context of 'Front Desk'
Pupil outcome: I can develop my understanding of the authorial context, plot and themes of ‘Front Desk’. Key learning points: - Understanding where and when a story is set enhances our understanding of characters and events. -...
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Developing an understanding of 'Wonder' through rich discussions
Pupil outcome: I can discuss the main ideas of ‘Wonder’. Key learning points: - The protagonist of the story is August ‘Auggie’ Pullman. - August was born with a facial deformity which marks him out to be ‘different’ and subjected to...
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Exploring and engaging with themes in 'Oliver Twist'
Pupil outcome: I can identify and engage with the key themes in ‘Oliver Twist’. Key learning points: - A theme is a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story. - Themes can be incredibly relevant and link to significant issues...
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Exploring and engaging with themes in 'Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover'
Pupil outcome: I can identify and engage with the key themes in 'Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover'. Key learning points: - Since the text’s publication, the Curiosity rover has continued to explore Mars’ surface. - Innovation is a...
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Exploring concepts and themes in ‘When the Sky Falls’
Pupil outcome: I can describe key events in the final three chapters of the book and I can connect the book to relevant concepts and themes. Key learning points: - In the final stages of the book, we see Joseph saved by Adonis before...
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Developing an understanding of 'The Wild Robot' through rich discussions
Pupil outcome: I can discuss the main ideas of ‘The Wild Robot’. Key learning points: - ‘The Wild Robot’ follows the unexpected arrival of a robot on an island after its crate is washed ashore during a storm. - The robot, called Roz,...
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Exploring themes in 'The Iron Man'
Pupil outcome: I can explore the main themes in ‘The Iron Man’. Key learning points: - The Iron Man goes from being feared due to his difference, to being understood, accepted and ultimately admired. - A theme is a big idea, topic or...
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Exploring concepts and themes in 'A Kind of Spark'
Pupil outcome: I can consider how the resolution to ‘A Kind of Spark’ links to different concepts and I can draw out key themes from the whole book. Key learning points: - When we read texts, we connect them to our own experiences and to...
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Reading around the text 'Greenling'
Pupil outcome: I can explain a personal response to the text. Key learning points: - There are many themes that are explored in ‘Greenling’ including change and transformation, sustainability & rewilding. - Reading around a text can...
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Developing understanding of 'The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane' through rich discussion
Pupil outcome: I can discuss the main ideas of ‘The Miraculous Journey Of Edward Tulane’. Key learning points: - 'The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane' is an illustrated chapter book, with black and white pencil sketch vignettes. -...
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Exploring and engaging with themes in 'Greenling’
Pupil outcome: I can identify and engage with the key themes in ‘Greenling’. Key learning points: - ‘Greenling’ can be considered a fable, its moral might link to the conservation & preservation of the environment. - A theme is a big...
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Developing understanding of 'The Girl of Ink and Stars' through rich discussions
Pupil outcome: I can discuss the main ideas of ‘The Girl of Ink and Stars’. Key learning points: - ‘The Girl of Ink and Stars’ is a novel, which blends the genres of myth and magical realism. - The text has strong links to location and...
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Developing understanding of 'Cloud Busting' through rich discussions
Pupil outcome: I can discuss the main ideas of 'Cloud Busting'. Key learning points: - ‘Cloud Busting’ focuses on the relationship between two ‘friends’: Davey and Sam. - The story is told as a verse novel. - ‘Cloud Busting’ uses both...
Curated Video
Making connections to 'Blackberry Blue'
Pupil outcome: I can draw comparisons between 'Blackberry Blue' and other texts. Key learning points: - When drawing comparisons to other texts, readers can look for connections in themes, events or characters. - ‘Blackberry Blue’ shares...