Making comparisons
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can compare Addie’s experiences at different places in the book ‘A Kind of Spark’ and I can compare characters between different texts.
Key learning points
- When we give our opinion about a text, we often need to justify our view with evidence or explanations.
- Specific language choices are made by the author to convey meaning.
- We can compare characters within and between texts, including the same character at different points in a text.
- Making these comparisons helps us to understand characters better.
Keywords
Justify - give an explanation or evidence to support our view
Language choices - the conscious decisions an author makes to use certain words to have a certain effect or convey a certain meaning to the reader
Compare - identify similarities and differences between two things, ideas, concepts or texts
Common misconception
Pupils may label characters like Emily and Miss Murphy as simply 'bad', instead of trying to see their motivations.
Emphasise that giving reasons for someone's actions is not the same as excusing them; most things we do have a reason - that reason might just be a bad one!
Teacher tip
After this lesson and before the next one, read chapters 17 and 18 of the book. Due to the sensitive nature of the content, you may wish to read to pupils or plan additional lessons to cover these chapters.
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.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words to their meanings.
give in
saying someone is innocent
when autistic people try to 'blend in'
overwhelmed by sensations
Q2.Match the words to their meanings.
becomes less certain
quiet laughs
annoyed at being treated unfairly
in a way that seems funny
Q3.Why did Addie travel to Edinburgh?
Q4.How is Bonnie's situation similar to that of the 'witches'?
Q5.Whose perspective might this be written from? 'Thank goodness Addie's safe; I can't believe Nina would be so disobedient to me!'
Q6.Which of the following might be part of Keedie's perspective on events at the university?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word best completes the following sentence? 'Emily __________ Addie's personal possessions.'
Q2.Which word best completes the following sentence? 'Addie was __________ into violence by Emily's actions.'
Q3.Who tried to stop Addie's thesaurus being defaced?
Q4.What information did Miss Murphy hold back from Nina and Keedie in their meeting?
Q5.Why does Keedie describe Miss Murphy as 'ableist'?
Q6.Whose reactions in the meeting are most shocking to the reader?
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Making comparisons, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Making comparisons, 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.