Exploring and engaging with themes in 'Mirror'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify and engage with the key themes in 'Mirror'.
Key learning points
- In 'Mirror' the afterword describes why Jeannie Baker was inspired to make the text and how she created the artwork.
- A theme is a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story.
- Readers can interpret their own big idea or message from a narrative; readers may interpret a text in different ways.
- Settings and events depicted in the book contribute to the boys’ sense of identity and belonging.
- Culture and traditions in each setting are conveyed through unique clothing, architecture, food and daily activities.
Keywords
Afterword - a concluding section providing additional insights or reflections after the main content
Theme - a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a text
Convey - to communicate a message to the reader directly or indirectly
Identity - understanding who you are and your place within the world
Common misconception
Pupils may find it challenging to reflect on a character's identity and sense of belonging in Task B.
Explain to pupils that identity and belonging can be shown through the boys' character traits, their relationships with their families and the actions they perform.
Teacher tip
Pupils may find it interesting to learn more about Jeannie Baker and to find out answers to any questions they may still have. Provide opportunities for them to research additional information using the internet.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2010 Walker Books edition of ‘Mirror’ created by Jeannie Baker, for this lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the following words to their definitions.
a person or an animal in a story
where the story takes place
what happens in the story
Q2.True or false? The Moroccan story is set in the Valley of the Roses.
Q3.Which characters in 'Mirror' head to the market/hardware store?
Q4.Match the types of connections to their definitions.
relates to another text or story
relates to personal experiences, feelings or thoughts
relates to events and issues in the real world
Q5.Which languages is 'Mirror' written in?
Q6.What is a suitable definition of a theme?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the following keywords to their definitions.
a concluding section providing additional insights or reflections
a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a text
to communicate a message to the reader directly or indirectly
Q2.What changes have happened in the homes of the Moroccan and Australian families?
Q3.Put the following events from the resolutions in both stories in chronological order.
Q4.Which objects appear in both stories?
Q5.True or false? There are no connections between the stories.
Q6.Which of the following themes are conveyed in 'Mirror'?
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Exploring and engaging with themes in 'Mirror', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Exploring and engaging with themes in 'Mirror', 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 'Mirror': reading unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.