pull out the key information and ideas from the text

the time period in which a narrative is set

the way an author describes and develops the personalities and traits of the characters in a story through their actions, thoughts, dialogue and interactions with others

Exploring characterisation in ‘When the Sky Falls’

English

Explaining characters’ motives

Making comparisons and connections

Exploring characters’ emotions

Exploring concepts and themes in ‘When the Sky Falls’

'When the Sky Falls' is set during The Second World War. ’No Country’ examines themes of war and political instability in a dystopian future.

In 'A Kind of Spark’, pupils have explored a narrative through the lens of a neurodiverse individual. In ’When the Sky Falls’, pupils will explore the historical setting of The Second World War through the lens of a young boy.

In this unit, pupils read and explore the novel, 'When the Sky Falls'. They discuss the historical context and explore the main characters and their motives. Finally, pupils spot comparisons and connections between the characters and explore the key concepts and themes within the text.

'When the Sky Falls': reading

Immoral behaviour or minor criminal offences, e.g. shoplifting, graffiti.

Depiction or discussion of upsetting content

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Joseph pretends not to be who Mrs F is looking for. 

Mrs F helps Joseph get away without punishment.

Put these events from Chapter 1 of 'When the Sky Falls' in order. 

Joseph can't stop talking about how badly the city is damaged.

There is lots of evidence of bomb damage in the city.

Mrs F's house has been badly damaged by bombing.

Mrs F warns Joseph about what to do in the event of an air raid.

Which statements are correct about Chapter 2 of 'When the Sky Falls'?

how an author describes a character to make us feel a certain way about them

how an author describes what a character says

how an author describes what a character does

how an author describes how a character treats others

Which of these is the best description of the process of characterisation?

Match each character to their description.

Which country's army bombed Britain during WWII?

What was the word given to the intense bombing of Britain's cities in WWII?

What happened to the majority of children who lived in cities during the Blitz?

Their parents were too busy to support them. 

There were fewer targets for bombing in the city.

The children were needed for factory work.

There were fewer targets for bombing in the countryside.

Why were children sent to the countryside?

the amount of certain products you could buy was limited

the government gave people vouchers for free products

the government delivered a certain amount of the products to each house

Starter Quiz