give an explanation or evidence to support our view

the conscious decisions an author makes to use certain words to have a certain effect or convey a certain meaning to the reader

identify similarities and differences between two things, ideas, concepts or texts

Making comparisons

English

Gathering evidence about characters and their relationships

Inferring characters’ thoughts and motives

Exploring relationships and perspectives

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? 'Emily __________ Addie's personal possessions.'

Which word best completes the following sentence? 'Addie was __________ into violence by Emily's actions.'

Who tried to stop Addie's thesaurus being defaced? 

What information did Miss Murphy hold back from Nina and Keedie in their meeting? 

because she treats autistic children badly

because she gives autistic children special treatment

Why does Keedie describe Miss Murphy as 'ableist'?

Whose reactions in the meeting are most shocking to the reader? 

because she wanted to get Nina in trouble

she has been punished for being 'different'

she was accused of being married to the devil

How is Bonnie's situation similar to that of the 'witches'?

Whose perspective might this be written from? 'Thank goodness Addie's safe; I can't believe Nina would be so disobedient to me!'

Anything could have happened - just for a stupid card!

I can't understand why on Earth Addie thought she needed to come.

I feel so guilty: what if she'd got hurt coming to help me? 

Which of the following might be part of Keedie's perspective on events at the university? 

Making comparisons

Lesson outcome

Content guidance