Reading around the text 'Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can compare and contrast between two non-fiction texts.
Key learning points
- When reading non-fiction texts, readers can use the layout features to help navigate the text.
- Non-fiction texts can present information in different forms and layouts.
- Readers can compare and contrast within and across texts.
Keywords
Layout - the way the information is organised on the page
Skimming - quickly glancing over text for main ideas and key points
Scanning - rapidly searching a text for specific information or keywords
Compare - identifying similarities between two or more things, ideas, concepts, or texts
Contrast - identifying differences between two or more things, ideas, concepts, or texts
Common misconception
Pupils may find it challenging to remember features found in non-fiction texts.
Display/print out common non-fiction text features, alongside layout features, to support pupils when comparing and contrasting.
Teacher tip
You may wish to make Task B more interactive by printing statements and asking groups to sort into 'similarities' and 'differences'.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2023 Walker Studio edition of ‘Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover’ written and illustrated by Markus Motum, for this lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How did the Curiosity rover get its name?
Q2.True or False? The Curiosity rover was only able to take photographs in black and white.
Q3.What technology and equipment was on board the Curiosity rover?
Q4.Match the following definitions of a similarity and difference.
two or more things that are alike or have something in common
two or more things are not alike or do not have something in common
Q5.Sequence the following events from the text in chronological order.
Q6.True or False? 'Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover' is a non-fiction text.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.True or false? The layout of a text refers to the way the information is organised on the page.
Q2.Match the keyword to the correct definition.
quickly glancing over text for main ideas and key points
rapidly searching a text for specific information or keywords
identifying similarities between two or more things
identifying differences between two or more things
Q3.Which of the following is a tip for skimming and scanning?
Q4.Which of the following are layout features likely to be found in a non-fiction text?
Q5.How much did Curiosity weigh?
Q6.What material are Curiosity rover’s wheels made out of?
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Reading around the text 'Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Reading around the text 'Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover', 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 'Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover': reading unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.