Engaging with the opening of 'The Firework Maker's Daughter'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can summarise the opening of ’The Firework Maker's Daughter’.
Key learning points
- 'The Firework Maker's Daughter' is a quest narrative and the protagonist is named Lila.
- The story is influenced by South-East Asian culture and there are clues that imply it is set in Indonesia.
- The author provides lots of hints in his writing to give the reader clues and help them form predictions about the plot.
- Lila wants to be a firework-maker and discover the secret to it but her father Lalchand wants her to find a husband.
- Lila's friend Chulak speaks to Lalchand and finds out the secret ingredient for firework-making and where to find it.
Keywords
Quest - a long or difficult search for something
Hint - a slight indication or suggestion of something
Prediction - making a guess using what we already know
Summarise - to pull out key events and ideas from a text
Common misconception
Students may find it difficult to understand elements from the opening due to unfamiliar vocabulary, specifically vocabulary that is culturally specific (e.g. 'rupee' or 'rickshaw').
Pre-teach unfamiliar vocabulary from the opening using visual images to support student understanding.
Teacher tip
Examine the first paragraph of the story and how this sets the scene with students. Explore the ways in which South-East Asian culture is evident in the opening of the story and immerse students in understanding this.
Equipment
You will need a copy of the 2018 Penguin Random House UK edition of ‘The Firework Maker's Daughter' by Philip Pullman for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a narrative?
Q2.What is a fairytale?
Q3.Which of the following are examples of genre?
Q4.What is a protagonist in a story?
Q5.Match the word to its definition.
a room or building in which goods are made or repaired
an explosive mixture of powders used in fireworks
burnt by flames or heat
Q6.Match the word to its definition.
writings or drawings scribbled, scratched or sprayed on a surface
a light, two-wheeled passenger vehicle
the currency of money used in India and other Asian countries
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keyword to the correct definition.
a slight indication or suggestion of something
making a guess using what we already know
to pull out the key events and ideas from a text
Q2.What is a quest?
Q3.Who is the author of ‘The Firework-Maker’s Daughter’?
Q4.In Chapter 1, what did Lila learn all about from her father Lalchand?
Q5.In Chapter 1, where does Chulak discover the secret ingredient for fireworks is?
Q6.Select the most likely prediction of what will happen next in ‘The Firework-Maker’s Daughter’.
To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Engaging with the opening of 'The Firework Maker's Daughter', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Engaging with the opening of 'The Firework Maker's Daughter', 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 'The Firework Maker's Daughter': reading and diary writing unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.