Curated Video
Exploring themes in 'Mulan'
Pupil outcome: I can explore the themes within ‘Mulan’ to infer a moral from the story. Key learning points: - A theme is a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story. - Identifying the themes within ‘Mulan’ helps us...
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Exploring and engaging with themes in 'Escape from Pompeii'
Pupil outcome: I can identify and engage with the key themes in ‘Escape from Pompeii’. Key learning points: - A theme is a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story. - Themes can leave us with ideas and questions that we...
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Developing an understanding of 'The Unforgotten Coat' through rich discussions
Pupil outcome: I can discuss the main ideas of ‘The Unforgotten Coat’. Key learning points: - The text is told from the perspective of Julie; she reflects on her time in Year 6 when Chingis joined her class. - Chingis is a young boy who,...
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Exploring legacy and the suffragette movement in 'Princess Sophia Duleep Singh: My Story'
Pupil outcome: I can explore the legacy of the suffragette movement and of Princess Sophia Duleep Singh. Key learning points: - On 2nd July 1928, all British women finally succeeded in achieving the right to vote. - Inequality is a...
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Developing an understanding of 'Varjak Paw' through rich discussions
Pupil outcome: I can discuss the main ideas of ‘Varjak Paw’. Key learning points: - 'Varjak Paw' is in the form of an illustrated chapter book, combining words and illustration. - Varjak Paw is a Mesopotamian Blue Kitten and has never...
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Exploring and engaging with themes in 'How to Train Your Dragon’
Pupil outcome: I can identify and reflect on the key themes in 'How to Train Your Dragon'. Key learning points: - Hiccup’s character goes on a transformation throughout the text; he begins the text as an unlikely hero - Hiccup’s...
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Exploring and engaging with themes in 'Mirror'
Pupil outcome: I can identify and engage with the key themes in 'Mirror'. Key learning points: - In 'Mirror' the afterword describes why Jeannie Baker was inspired to make the text and how she created the artwork. - A theme is a big...
Curated Video
Developing an understanding of 'El Deafo' through rich discussions
Pupil outcome: I can discuss the main ideas of 'El Deafo'. Key learning points: - El Deafo is a graphic novel memoir based on author Cece Bell's childhood. - At the age of four, in 1974, Cece is diagnosed as deaf, following a bout of...
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Developing an understanding of 'Front Desk' through rich discussions
Pupil outcome: I can discuss the main ideas of ‘Front Desk’. Key learning points: - ‘Front Desk’ is a fictional novel, inspired by the author’s childhood. - The text explores complex themes including racism, bullying, poverty and justice...
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Reading 'The Twisted Tree': identifying key themes
Pupil outcome: I can continue to understand and recall the plot, as well as explore some of the key themes. Key learning points: - The books in Martha’s room move on their own, introducing an element of the supernatural. - Ravens help to...
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Analysing Dorothy's return from the unknown in Baum's 'The Wizard of Oz'
Pupil outcome: I can understand and analyse how Baum presents Dorothy’s return from the unknown in ‘The Wizard of Oz’. Key learning points: - Though sad to leave her companions, Dorothy was glad to return to Kansas. - A theme of a story...
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Symbolism and motif in Ian Beck's short story, ‘Propping Up The Line’
Pupil outcome: I can explore Ian Beck’s use of symbolism and motif in his short story, 'Propping Up The Line'. Key learning points: - Writers use symbols and motifs to present key themes. - Beck uses the symbol of the canary to explore...
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Using context to inform an argument about 'Jekyll and Hyde'
Pupil outcome: I can use context effectively in an analytical paragraph when writing about 'Jekyll and Hyde'. Key learning points: - Context must be precise and avoid generalisations. - Context needs to be anchored to the text by linking...
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Act 3 of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’: disorder in the forest
Pupil outcome: I can explore Act 3 of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, focusing on the disordered relationships between the Athenian nobles and Titania and Bottom. Key learning points: - Oberon is pleased that Titania has fallen in love with...
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Building comprehension of 'Anansi and the Antelope Baby' through rich discussions
Pupil outcome: I can infer meaning from 'Anansi and the Antelope Baby' through discussion. Key learning points: - A theme is a big idea, topic or message that recurs in a story. - Anansi folktales explore themes relating to character in...
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Researching information about pandas' habitat and diet
Pupil outcome: I can write notes about pandas' habitat and diet. Key learning points: - Information can be gathered from a range of different sources. - Credibility of each source must be determined. - Origin of a source must be cited. -...
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Using dialogue effectively
Pupil outcome: I can identify how dialogue is used and apply that knowledge to my own writing. Key learning points: - Writers use dialogue for a number of purposes. - Dialogue can reveal the motivations, feelings and the relationship...
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Planning and writing an essay on 'An Inspector Calls'
Pupil outcome: I can plan and write an extended and developed response about ‘An Inspector Calls’. Key learning points: - Use the essay question as a planning tool by annotating its keywords. - It's helpful to create a detailed plan...
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'An Inspector Calls' : annotating essay questions and writing a thesis statement
Pupil outcome: I can identify the keywords in an essay question about ‘An Inspector Calls’ and use them to create a thesis statement. Key learning points: - Essays are extended pieces of writing in which you establish and explain your...
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Planning and creating a slam poem
Pupil outcome: I can effectively plan and write a slam poem. Key learning points: - Planning is an important part of the writing process. - When planning a slam poem you can consider your theme and key ideas to help get you started. -...
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Introduction to 'Yoshi the Stonecutter' and making links to our own experiences
Pupil outcome: I can make a prediction about how a story might end. Key learning points: - Traditional tales can be set in real or fictional places. This traditional tale is set in Japan. - Illustrations can be a way to help us to...
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Exploring theme, message and intent across the ‘Power and Conflict’ anthology
Pupil outcome: I can explore common themes, messages and intent throughout the ‘Power and Conflict’ anthology. Key learning points: - There are several overlapping themes in the ‘Power and Conflict’ anthology. - A message is an important...
Curated Video
Revising key themes in the ‘Power and Conflict’ anthology
Pupil outcome: I can identify and compare themes across poems from the Power and Conflict anthology. Key learning points: - When comparing poems, pay attention to the specific theme within the question. - Be open to comparing poems...
Curated Video
Exploring the Eduqas poetry anthology
Pupil outcome: I can explore the key themes and connections between the poems in the Eduqas poetry anthology. Key learning points: - An anthology is a collection of artistic works that have a similar form or subject. - Reading poetry...