Study Hub

Study Guides

This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.

Back to Study HubBrowse Year 3 English Guides

Year 3 - English

Developing an understanding of 'Varjak Paw' through rich discussions

'Varjak Paw': book club

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils explore and discuss the illustrated chapter book 'Varjak Paw'. They will share their opinion on the text and explore the key themes of hope, identity and self-discovery. Finally, pupils will engage in rich discussions, making connections and recommendations.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to discuss the main ideas of 'Varjak Paw'.

Key Notes

  • 'Varjak Paw' is in the form of an illustrated chapter book, combining words and illustration.
  • Varjak Paw is a Mesopotamian Blue Kitten and has never left home.
  • During the text, Varjak must leave his home and family and has to survive on his own.
  • One of the most prominent themes is identity; identity is who you are and what makes you unique.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • illustrated chapter book: An illustrated chapter book is a longer fictional text with illustrations to support and develop understanding.
  • form: Form is the way that a text can be presented.
  • theme: A theme is a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils may think that illustrations always depict exactly what is mentioned in the words the author writes.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

'Varjak Paw' is in the form of an illustrated chapter book, combining words and illustration. Varjak Paw is a Mesopotamian Blue Kitten and has never left home.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'illustrated chapter book'

An illustrated chapter book is a longer fictional text with illustrations to support and develop understanding.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Pupils may think that illustrations always depict exactly what is mentioned in the words the author writes. Correction: Show examples throughout the illustrated chapter book where the illustrations add in additional details, for example, the depiction of a car on pages 90 and 91.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 3 English guide library.