Exploring vocabulary and illustrations in 'The Planet in a Pickle Jar'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can understand the meaning behind the vocabulary and illustrations used in the story.
Key learning points
- ‘The Planet in a Pickle Jar’ contains precise vocabulary that is crucial for understanding the meaning behind the story.
- The grandma describes the planet as “fragile” and wants to “preserve” it so she creates a “sanctuary”.
- Special things are pickled in jars because pickling is a method of preservation.
- The story explores the preservation of the world’s natural elements, human elements and items/belongings.
- The illustrations communicate additional meaning behind the vocabulary in the story.
Keywords
Vocabulary - the words we know and use to communicate with others
Preserve - to maintain something in its original or existing state
Illustration - a picture in a book
Common misconception
Children may find it difficult to distinguish between natural elements, human elements and items/belongings that could be pickled.
Explore the difference and definition of each of these as well as acknowledging things that may fit into multiple categories. E.g. An avocado is naturally grown and there may be a special sensory experience or memory related to it.
Teacher tip
Make sure you give the children the opportunity to re-read the text either as a class, independently or in pairs, supporting those who have not secured sufficient phonics knowledge.
Equipment
You will need a copy of the 2023 Flying Eye Books edition of ‘The Planet in a Pickle Jar’ written and illustrated by Martin Stanev for this lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What type of text is 'The Planet in a Pickle Jar'?
Q2.True or false? There is only one main character in 'The Planet in a Pickle Jar'.
Q3.True or false? Martin Stanev is the author and illustrator of 'The Planet in a Pickle Jar'.
Q4.True or false? There is only one setting in 'The Planet in a Pickle Jar'.
Q5.Who is the narrator of the story?
Q6.What did the grandma ask for the grandchildren's help with?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Select the statements that are true about ‘The Planet in a Pickle Jar’.
Q2.What is vocabulary?
Q3.Match the vocabulary from the text to the correct definition.
something which is easily damaged or destroyed
to maintain something in its original or existing state
a place of refuge and protection
Q4.True or false? Stories are only told through writing.
Q5.Look at the illustration on pages 15 and 16 of the story. Select the animals that are being preserved in a jar.
Q6.True or false? The grandma only wants to preserve the world's natural items.
To help you plan your 2 English lesson on: Exploring vocabulary and illustrations in 'The Planet in a Pickle Jar', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 2 English lesson on: Exploring vocabulary and illustrations in 'The Planet in a Pickle Jar', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 English lessons from the 'The Planet in a Pickle Jar': book club unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.