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      Introduction to 'Yoshi the Stonecutter' and making links to our own experiences

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can make a prediction about how a story might end.

      Key learning points

      1. Traditional tales can be set in real or fictional places. This traditional tale is set in Japan.
      2. Illustrations can be a way to help us to predict and understand the story. We can 'read' the illustrations in a book.
      3. Predictions can be made based on making connections and pattern seeking.
      4. Making links to our own experiences is a way to help to understand the actions of a character.
      5. Greed is one of the main themes in 'Yoshi the Stonecutter'.

      Keywords

      • Fiction - stories created by authors that feature made-up characters, places, and adventures that did not happen in real life

      • Prediction - making a guess using what we already know

      • Greed - an intense and selfish desire for something

      • Theme - a big idea, topic or message that appears in a story

      Common misconception

      Children may find it hard to think of a time when they were greedy with something.

      Make sure children are clear about the definition of greedy and share different examples of things you can feel greedy for. Give children opportunities for lots of discussion before Task B.

      Teacher tip

      You may wish to teach this unit as a whole class or in small group reading sessions. If it is taught in a small group, you may wish to print the slides as a reference only and use them as a basis for your discussion.

      Equipment

      You need a copy of the 2011 Oxford University Press edition of ‘Yoshi the Stonecutter’ by Becca Heddle and Meg Hunt for this lesson.

      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.
      What do storybooks often have in them?

      Correct answer: illustrations
      videos
      real information
      facts
      Correct answer: words

      Q2.
      What do we call the name of a book?

      author
      illustrator
      Correct answer: title
      illustration

      Q3.
      Match these words to their definition.

      Correct Answer:author,the person who has written the book

      the person who has written the book

      Correct Answer:illustrator,the person who has drawn the pictures

      the person who has drawn the pictures

      Correct Answer:illustration,a picture in a book

      a picture in a book

      Correct Answer:blurb,a short description of a text, found on the back cover

      a short description of a text, found on the back cover

      Q4.
      What is a character?

      where the story takes place
      what happens in the story
      Correct answer: a person or animal in a story
      a picture in a book

      Q5.
      Which of these stories are fictional?

      Correct answer: The Hungry Caterpillar
      Correct answer: The Tiger Who Came to Tea
      a map
      a school trip recount

      Q6.
      Which of these are features of traditional tales?

      labels
      Correct answer: magic
      Correct answer: fictional characters
      rhyming words

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Traditional tales are always...

      non-fiction.
      poems.
      Correct answer: fiction.

      Q2.
      Match these words to an example.

      Correct Answer:character,Yoshi

      Yoshi

      Correct Answer:setting,Japan

      Japan

      Correct Answer:plot,Yoshi wishes for different things.

      Yoshi wishes for different things.

      Q3.
      A guess about what happens in a story, using what we know, is called a ...

      fiction
      Correct answer: prediction
      title
      solution

      Q4.
      What can help you to make a sensible prediction?

      Correct answer: looking at the illustrations
      reading through the whole book
      Correct answer: reading the title of the book
      asking a friend to tell you what happens

      Q5.
      What is a theme in a traditional tale?

      a summary of a story
      Correct answer: a big idea, topic or message that appears in a story
      the reader's favourite part of a story

      Q6.
      Which of these is a theme in 'Yoshi the Stonecutter'?

      wisdom
      love
      kindness
      Correct answer: greed

      To help you plan your 2 English lesson on: Introduction to 'Yoshi the Stonecutter' and making links to our own experiences, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...