Year 6 - English
Exploring and engaging with themes in 'Shackleton's Journey'
'Shackleton's Journey': reading
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Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils read and explore the non-fiction picturebook text, 'Shackleton's Journey'. They explore the context of the Antarctic expedition and examine the layout features of the text. Finally, pupils answer a range of comprehension questions and engage with the key themes.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to identify and engage with the key themes in 'Shackleton's Journey'.
Key Notes
- 'Shackleton's Journey' includes themes of leadership, resilience, hope and exploration.
- Shackleton is recognised as an excellent leader, who remained determined in the face of adversity.
- Ernest Shackleton set an excellent example to his crew; he was an inspirational role model.
Vocabulary To Learn
- theme: A theme is a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story.
- convey: To convey means to communicate a message to the reader directly or indirectly.
- legacy: Legacy is the long-lasting impact of particular events and actions that took place in the past, or in a person's life.
- inspire: To inspire is to motivate or encourage through positive influence or example.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may only consider themes that are universally understood.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
'Shackleton's Journey' includes themes of leadership, resilience, hope and exploration. Shackleton is recognised as an excellent leader, who remained determined in the face of adversity.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'theme'
A theme is a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may only consider themes that are universally understood. Correction: Highlight that there are many possible themes that can be drawn out from a text; readers may interpret these differently.
More Lessons In This Unit
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