an educated guess, based on evidence in the text or prior knowledge

make a judgement about the similarities and differences between different things or whether one is better than the other

Making comparisons and connections

English

Exploring characterisation in ‘When the Sky Falls’

Explaining characters’ motives

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

Depiction of scary, confusing or unsettling events or characters placed in danger, including creation of a scary atmosphere through the use of music and sound.

Depiction or discussion of upsetting content

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

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

old-fashioned word for someone considered slow at learning things

Joseph begins to feed Adonis without Mrs F's help. 

Bert has his back to the cage and he is about to punch Joseph.

Put these events from Chapter 24 in order. 

Which of these could be considered character highs for Joseph?

they are both going through difficult periods in their lives

In what ways are Joseph and Adonis' situations similar? 

She is worried he may escape if his enclosure is bombed and hurt others. 

She is worried he will escape during an air raid and she will lose him.

She knows the noise will upset him and she wants to put him out of his misery.

Based on your reading up to Chapter 23, what is the reason Mrs F points the rifle at Adonis during air raids? 

because the words seem to move around on the page

Why does Joseph say he struggles to read? 

What does Syd tell Joseph has happened to her parents? 

tell him to put his finger by the letters

teach him the sounds certain letters can show

What does Syd do to try and help Joseph read? 

Joseph nearly manages to feed Adonis in Chapter 23. What stops him doing this?

Making comparisons and connections

Lesson outcome

Content guidance