Exploring characterisation in 'Princess Sophia Duleep Singh: My Story'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore characterisation in historical fiction.
Key learning points
- Following their mother’s death, Sophia and her family are split up.
- Sophia’s father has decided against regaining his kingdom, he has asked Queen Victoria for forgiveness.
- Sophia's father remarries after the death of his wife. Sophia has mixed feelings about her step-family.
- Sufiya Ahmed writes the Duleep Singhs with some shared character traits and some different traits.
Keywords
Characterisation - Characterisation is the way an author and illustrator describes and develops the personalities and traits of the characters in a story.
Character traits - Character traits are the special qualities that make a character in a story unique and interesting.
Compare - Comparing involves identifying similarities between two or more things, ideas, themes or texts.
Contrast - Contrasting involves identifying differences between two or more things, ideas, themes or texts.
Common misconception
A question in the first cycle explores the letter that Sophia's father writes to Queen Victoria. Pupils may find it hard to think of persuasive techniques that he uses to appeal for forgiveness.
It would be useful to link to prior learning to remind pupils of some techniques (such as emotional language, flattery, rhetorical questions etc.), alternatively adults could model some of the key points aloud.
Teacher tip
Pupils can complete a family tree for the Duleep Singh family to better contextualise the relationships & provide a visual link between Sophia, her siblings and her new step-family. Before the following lesson, read Chapter 5, up to page 43. Children can read independently or have this read to them.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2022 Scholastic edition of ‘Princess Sophia Duleep Singh (My Story), written by Sufiya Ahmed, for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.True or False? The text is written in first person perspective.
Q2.From whose perspective do we read the text?
Q3.Which year do we begin following events from Sophia's point of view?
Q4.Which era is the text set during?
Q5.Which of the following examples shows a character who is loyal?
Q6.Which of the following examples shows a character who is determined?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the following keywords to their definitions.
the way an author develops the personalities and traits of a character
the special qualities that make a character in a story unique
identifying similarities between two or more things
identifying differences between two or more things
Q2.True or False? Characterisation can be conveyed through a character’s actions, thoughts, dialogue and interactions with others.
Q3.Queen Victoria is the godmother of which two of the Duleep Singh siblings?
Q4.During Chapter 4, which character traits or emotions best describe Bamba?
Q5.Victor rents a house for his father. Where is it located?
Q6.True or False? Bamba and Sophia share no common character traits.
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Exploring characterisation in 'Princess Sophia Duleep Singh: My Story', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Exploring characterisation in 'Princess Sophia Duleep Singh: My Story', 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 'Princess Sophia Duleep Singh: My Story': reading unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.