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      The theme of happiness in 'Anna Hibiscus' Song'

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can link a story to my own feelings and experiences.

      Key learning points

      1. Recalling events in the story helps to summarise the most important parts
      2. The actions of a character are what the character does or says
      3. This story is different from traditional tales because it does not have a clear beginning, middle and end
      4. Instead, this story follows each family member and the discussions that the main character has with them
      5. This story demonstrates there are different ways to show happiness and explores the themes of family and happiness

      Keywords

      • Theme - a main idea that the writer wants to focus on

      • Character - a person or animal in a story

      • Setting - where a story takes place

      • Plot - what happens in a story

      • Emotion - a feeling or mood

      Common misconception

      Pupils may struggle to distinguish between what makes them happy and what they do to stay happy.

      Use examples from your own experiences. Discuss that our feelings may change, but there are strategies you use to keep a positive mood going. Emphasise all of the things that the characters do to help to keep their happiness going.

      Teacher tip

      Dedicate a large part of the lesson to re-reading and discussing the whole story. After re-reading the story, take a class vote about which thing they would do to help their happiness to grow to start to compare opinions, feelings and ideas. You could create a tally chart to show it.

      Equipment

      You will need a copy of the 2012 Walker Books edition of 'Anna Hibiscus' Song' by Atinuke.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      The __________ in the story 'Anna Hibiscus' Song' is called Anna.

      setting
      plot
      author
      Correct answer: character

      Q2.
      The __________ in the story is Nigeria, Africa.

      Correct answer: setting
      plot
      character
      author

      Q3.
      The __________ of the story 'Anna Hibiscus' Song' is Atinuke.

      character
      setting
      plot
      Correct answer: author

      Q4.
      Which adjectives could describe how Anna is feeling on the front cover of the story?

      Correct answer: calm
      lonely
      Correct answer: relaxed
      Correct answer: happy
      angry

      Q5.
      Which of these are ways the characters stay happy?

      Correct answer: dancing
      going to the shops
      Correct answer: counting
      shouting

      Q6.
      What makes Anna happy in the story 'Anna Hibiscus' Song'?

      trips to the beach
      Correct answer: her family
      going to the shops
      playing on her own

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which emotion is explored in the story?

      sadness
      anger
      boredom
      Correct answer: happiness

      Q2.
      Match each character to what makes them happy in the story.

      Correct Answer:Uncle Tunde,dancing

      dancing

      Correct Answer:Mama,hugging

      hugging

      Correct Answer:Cousins,gymnastics

      gymnastics

      Q3.
      Summarising focuses on the __________ points of a story.

      small
      boring
      Correct answer: main

      Q4.
      Put the main events of the story in the correct order.

      1 - Anna watches her family quietly from a tree.
      2 - Anna asks each family member what makes them happy.
      3 - Anna sings a song about her family's happiness.

      Q5.
      Which emotions are positive emotions?

      sadness
      anger
      Correct answer: excitement
      Correct answer: happiness

      Q6.
      Why is 'Anna Hibiscus' Song' different to traditional tales?

      It doesn't have any illustrations.
      It doesn't have any words.
      Correct answer: It doesn't have a problem to solve.
      It doesn't have any characters.

      To help you plan your 1 English lesson on: The theme of happiness in 'Anna Hibiscus' Song', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...