Building comprehension of 'The Proudest Blue'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use a range of strategies to build my comprehension of 'The Proudest Blue'.
Key learning points
- We use a range of strategies to build comprehension of a text.
- Skimming and scanning can help us to retrieve key information.
- We can use inference to draw conclusions about the text by searching for clues.
- Discussing the text with others improves our understanding and offers opportunities for hearing different perspectives.
- 'The Proudest Blue' challenges negative ideas around 'difference' and encourages pride of expressing religious identity.
Keywords
Identity - the different aspects that make up who we are
Comprehension - our understanding of the text
Retrieve - to find information within the text
Inference - to draw conclusions from clues within the text
Discussion - the process of talking about something to exchange ideas
Common misconception
Children may find it hard to understand how authorial word choice conveys deeper messaging throughout the story. E.g. 'whisper'.
Spend time discussing and exploring deeper meaning. For example ask the children to consider when or why they use a 'whisper'. Analyse how this is linked to the character's emotions.
Teacher tip
Explore a range of the specific metaphors and similes used within 'The Proudest Blue' to analyse their deeper meaning. Encourage children to think of other things they could compare a hijab to in order to demonstrate the same messaging the author conveys.
Equipment
You will need a copy of the 2020 Andersen Press edition of ‘The Proudest Blue’ by Ibtihaj Muhammad for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does 'building comprehension' mean?
Q2.If you find an unfamiliar word that you do not know how to read, which strategy should you use first?
Q3.What does it mean to 'retrieve' when reading a story?
Q4.What does it mean to 'infer' when reading?
Q5.Why is it good to talk about and discuss books with other people?
Q6.What does 'identity' mean?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which statement best summarises 'The Proudest Blue'?
Q2.What causes some children to bully and be unkind to Asiya?
Q3.What does Faiza compare Asiya's hijab to in order to demonstrate the normality and beauty of it?
Q4.Which strategies do we use when retrieving key information from the text?
Q5.Which strategies do you use when inferring meaning from a story?
Q6.How is having rich discussion beneficial for building comprehension?
To help you plan your 2 English lesson on: Building comprehension of 'The Proudest Blue', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 2 English lesson on: Building comprehension of 'The Proudest Blue', 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 Proudest Blue': reading and writing unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.