Exploring relationships and perspectives
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can consider Addie’s relationships with other characters in ‘A Kind of Spark’ and explore different perspectives on a plot point.
Key learning points
- Looking at interactions between characters can tell readers about their relationships.
- Addie and her older sister, Keedie, are both autistic; they have both had different experiences of growing up autistic.
- Authors give us lots of clues about relationships between characters.
- We can adopt the perspectives of different characters to understand plot points more fully.
Keywords
Relationships - connections and interactions between individuals within a narrative
Evidence - information or facts that show something is true
Perspective - point of view
Common misconception
Pupils may see the word 'relationships' as referring to romantic relationships.
Explore the different layers of relationships we all have; note that sometimes it's our closest relationships that are most turbulent or 'love-hate' because we can be more 'free' within them.
Teacher tip
After completing this lesson, read chapters 11, 12, 13 and 14 with pupils before the next lesson. Because of the sensitive nature of much of the content of this book, you may wish to read to the pupils or to plan additional lessons to cover these sections.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2020 Knights Of edition of ‘A Kind of Spark’ written by Elle McNicoll, illustrated by Kay Wilson, for this lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words to their meanings.
puzzled
open a little way
nervously
shaking
Q2.Match the words to their meanings.
hold down or hold back
silly things you do
shaking
twisted
Q3.Put these events from the village meeting in order.
Q4.Addie describes how after the meeting, it felt like a door that had been "ajar" had been shut. What did she mean?
Q5.Which of the following might be Addie's motives for wanting the memorial?
Q6.What does it mean to 'infer' something?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word best completes the following sentence? 'Addie and Keedie often try to __________ in public so that other people feel more comfortable around them.'
Q2.Which word best completes the following sentence? 'Addie knew how __________ the university had been about the need to have your card with you at all times.'
Q3.Put these events in order.
Q4.Which of the following do Keedie and Addie believe?
Q5.Which of the following might be part of Nina's perspective on events?
Q6.Whose perspective might this be written from? 'I don't want to upset Addie; she has enough to worry about with that woman at school without worrying about me too.'
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Exploring relationships and perspectives, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Exploring relationships and perspectives, 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 2 English lessons from the 'A Kind of Spark': reading unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.