Building comprehension of 'The Sheep Pig' through rich discussions
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can discuss the plot of 'The Sheep Pig'.
Key learning points
- Skimming and scanning is a way to retrieve information accurately and quickly from a text.
- Reading between the lines to search for clues can help to infer meaning.
- Having rich discussions improves our understanding and offers opportunities for hearing different perspectives.
- Drawing conclusions means using information from the text and personal experiences to deduce meaning.
Keywords
Comprehension - Reading comprehension refers to our understanding of the text.
Retrieve - In reading, retrieve means to find information within the text.
Inference - Using inference means to draw conclusions from clues within the text.
Discussion - Having a discussion is the process of talking about something to exchange ideas.
Common misconception
Pupils may not understand the confusion between 'ewe' and 'you' on p. 33.
Ask the children to explain the confusion. If they do not know, explain to them that a 'ewe' is a female sheep.
Teacher tip
It would be beneficial for pupils to have read Chapter Three and Four in advance of this lesson. The teacher could read aloud to the children or allow them to read independently or in pairs, depending on ability.
Equipment
You will need a copy of the 2023 Penguin Random House edition of ‘The Sheep-Pig’ by Dick King-Smith.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'The Sheep-pig', what does Farmer Hogget win at the fair?
Q2.What does Mrs Hogget say they are going to do with the pig?
Q3.What was Fly teaching her puppies to do?
Q4.What did Farmer Hogget find when he came into the stable?
Q5.Why is Farmer Hogget surprised at the end of Chapter Two of 'The Sheep-Pig'?
Q6.Order the following events from the opening of 'The Sheep-Pig'.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these strategies are useful for building comprehension?
Q2.Match the strategy to what it means.
skimming and scanning to find information from the text
using clues from the text to draw further conclusions
talking to others about the meaning of what we have read
Q3.In 'The Sheep-Pig', where do Fly's puppies go?
Q4.What is the name of the lame sheep that Babe encounters in the stables?
Q5.Why does Babe want to talk to Ma?
Q6.Order these events from the story 'The Sheep-pig'.
To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Building comprehension of 'The Sheep Pig' through rich discussions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Building comprehension of 'The Sheep Pig' 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 'The Sheep Pig': reading unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.