use clues from within a text to draw conclusions

get inside a character’s head to try and understand their feelings and points of view

Inferring characters’ thoughts and motives

English

Gathering evidence about characters and their relationships

Exploring relationships and perspectives

Making comparisons

Exploring concepts and themes in 'A Kind of Spark'

In 'A Kind of Spark’ pupils explored characterisation through the lens of a neurodiverse individual. In ’When the Sky Falls’, pupils will explore a historical setting through the perspective of a young boy.

In 'Girl of Ink and Stars’ pupils read a narrative with a strong-willed, female protagonist in a magical setting. In ’A Kind of Spark’ pupils read through the lens of a female protagonist in a contemporary, modern Scottish setting.

In this unit, pupils read and explore the novel, 'A Kind of Spark'. They gather evidence about the characters by inferring from the text and compare characters both within and between texts. Finally, pupils explore the key concepts and themes from the text.

'A Kind of Spark': reading

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of distress or humiliation e.g. bullying.

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Which word best completes the following sentence? 'Mr Macintosh is worried that a memorial would __________ the village's reputation.'

Which word best completes the following sentence? 'Mrs Craig's face was __________ with rage.'

There were lots of items discussed before it was Addie's turn. 

Which of these are true about the village meeting? 

Which character's inner thoughts after the meeting might have sounded like this? 'Thank goodness that's over. Addie did well, but I wish Keedie hadn't made such a scene ... .'

What word does Keedie use to describe a friend who is only in our lives for a short time? 

Which word best completes the following sentence? 'When Miss Murphy tore up her work, Addie felt __________.'

Which word best completes the following sentence? 'Addie __________ the picture of the shark as she sat engrossed in the book.'

Addie finds the school corridors too loud and noisy. 

Addie's handwriting impresses Miss Murphy. 

Are these statements true or false? Select the true ones.

listens to her talk about her interest in sharks

What does Mr Allison do that Addie appreciates? 

Which of the following are true of Nina? 

Inferring characters’ thoughts and motives

Lesson outcome

Content guidance