Year 6 - English
Exploring concepts and themes in 'When the Sky Falls'
'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 the final three chapters of the book and you can connect the book to relevant concepts and themes.
Key Notes
- In the final stages of the book, we see Joseph saved by Adonis before Adonis is shot dead.
- We also see Joseph and Mrs F united in their grief with Joseph finally learning to trust her.
- We can connect books we read to abstract concepts; we can connect this book to our understanding of 'compassion'.
- We can also identify themes that run through the book - for example, the idea that people are capable of change.
Vocabulary To Learn
- evidence: the information from a text that can support or justify our reasoning
- prediction: an educated guess, based on evidence in the text or prior knowledge
- concept: an abstract idea like 'hope' or 'fairness'
- theme: a central idea of a text that the author wants us to think deeply about
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may struggle to identify concepts from the story.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
In the final stages of the book, we see Joseph saved by Adonis before Adonis is shot dead. We also see Joseph and Mrs F united in their grief with Joseph finally learning to trust her.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'evidence'
the information from a text that can support or justify our reasoning.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may struggle to identify concepts from the story. Correction: You may prefer to provide a longer list of abstract nouns and allow children to make their own connections.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 6 English guide library.