A theme is a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story.

To convey means to communicate a message to the reader directly or indirectly.

Legacy is the long-lasting impact of particular events and actions that took place in the past, or in a person’s life.

To inspire is to motivate or encourage through positive influence or example.

Exploring and engaging with themes in 'Shackleton's Journey'

English

In 'Shackleton's Journey’, children read a book set in a historical era. In ’When the Sky Falls’, pupils will read another book set in a specific historical context.

In 'Curiosity’, pupils read and discussed a non-fiction narrative. In ’Shackleton's Journey’, pupils will read and discuss a non-fiction narrative based on true events.

'Shackleton's Journey': reading

a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story

to communicate a message to the reader directly/indirectly

the lasting impact of particular events in a person's life

to motivate or encourage through positive influence

True or false? Upon sighting the harbour near Stromness, Shackleton let out a cry of exhilaration.

considering actions and characteristics of people within the text

searching for deeper meaning using inference

considering the overall message of the text

looking for the themes written explicitly in the text

Select some of the different ways we can identify **themes** within a text.

Which of the following are themes that are applicable to the text, 'Shackleton's Journey'?

Endurance sets sail for Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The Endurance Expedition arrives back in the UK.

Match the following dates from the text with the events they correspond to.

True or false? Ernest Shackleton was considered a good leader during the Endurance Expedition.

to retrieve answers directly from the text

to use clues from within the text to draw conclusions

to give our ideas or opinions on something

the information from a text that can support or justify our reasoning

What is **evidence** in the context of reading?

Including all the information we can find on a topic.

Adding in information from a different context.

Checking the context of the text you are reading.

Looking for specific information directly related to the question.

Which of the following can be useful strategies to locate evidence to support an answer? 

True or false? While on Elephant Island, improvements made at the camp made morale deteriorate.

a description of the sequence of events in a story

the details about the time and place where a story occurs

What is a suitable definition of a theme within a text?

True or false? An impression a reader forms about a text always has to be positive.

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Exploring and engaging with themes in 'Shackleton's Journey'

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.