Developing an understanding of 'Front Desk' through rich discussions
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can discuss the main ideas of ‘Front Desk’.
Key learning points
- ‘Front Desk’ is a fictional novel, inspired by the author’s childhood.
- The text explores complex themes including racism, bullying, poverty and justice
- The text shares with readers the importance of tolerance and diversity.
- Throughout the text, Mia notices how people are judged based on their race, ethnicity or social status.
Keywords
Immigrant - An immigrant is a person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country.
Prejudice - Prejudice is holding unfair and unreasonable opinions or feelings based on limited thought and knowledge.
Discrimination - Discrimination means treating a person or group of people differently and unfairly because of a certain characteristic.
Theme - A theme is a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story.
Common misconception
Everyone is treated fairly and equally.
By exploring the text and reading the author's note, it is clear that not everyone has equal rights. Pupils could explore charities like Amnesty International who campaign for equality.
Teacher tip
Pupils must have read the text in advance of this lesson. It will be useful if pupils have an understanding of discrimination and prejudice before the session. This can be addressed within a PSHE lesson or group discussion.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2021 Knights Of edition of ‘Front Desk’, written by Kelly Yang, illustrated by Maike Plenzke, 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
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a suitable definition of a memoir?
Q2.What person perspective are memoirs written from?
Q3.Based on its title, is the book 'What are Refugees and Migrants?' likely to be fiction or non-fiction?
Q4.True or false? Fiction texts contain imaginary or made-up events.
Q5.Match the following terms of elements usually found in a fictional text to their definitions.
Q6.What is a suitable definition of immigration?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their definitions.
Q2.Who is the author of 'Front Desk'?
Q3.How would you best describe discrimination?
Q4.Which of the following are examples of discrimination?
Q5.Put the following events in the order they occur in the story.
Q6.True or false? Life was fair for Mia and her family.
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Developing an understanding of 'Front Desk' through rich discussions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Developing an understanding of 'Front Desk' through rich discussions, 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 'Front Desk': book club unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.