Year 6 - English
Explaining characters' motives
'When the Sky Falls': reading
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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 novel, 'When the Sky Falls'. They discuss the historical context and explore the main characters and their motives. Finally, pupils spot comparisons and connections between the characters and explore the key concepts and themes within the text.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe key events in Chapters 11 and 12 and you can explain why characters have acted in particular ways.
Key Notes
- In the book, Joseph has had very negative experiences of schooling which cause him to be anxious about attending.
- When we read, we often think about characters' motives.
- We base our understanding of motives partly on what is made explicit by the author.
- We may also infer motives based on the characters' actions, our own knowledge and our experiences.
Vocabulary To Learn
- fluency: the ability to read a text accurately, smoothly and with appropriate expression
- motive: a person's reasons for doing something
- explicit: made clear
- infer: to draw conclusions from information and evidence in a text
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may believe that finding evidence that shows a person is feeling a certain way is the same as finding the motives behind their actions and feelings.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
In the book, Joseph has had very negative experiences of schooling which cause him to be anxious about attending. When we read, we often think about characters' motives.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'fluency'
the ability to read a text accurately, smoothly and with appropriate expression.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may believe that finding evidence that shows a person is feeling a certain way is the same as finding the motives behind their actions and feelings. Correction: Ensure pupils are clear that, for instance, finding evidence that a character is sad is different to explaining why they are sad (the motive).
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 6 English guide library.