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Year 1

Comparing 'Coming to England' to 'Paddington'

I can listen and respond to a story based on a true event.

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Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 1

Comparing 'Coming to England' to 'Paddington'

I can listen and respond to a story based on a true event.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. 'Coming to England' is a book based on the true story about Floella Benjamin.
  2. 'Coming to England' is a non-fiction book written and illustrated in the style of a fiction book.
  3. Floella Benjamin emigrated from Trinidad to the United Kingdom.
  4. Similarities and differences can be made about two books with the same theme.

Common misconception

Pupils may think that 'Coming to England' is a fictional book as it is presented as a story and is being directly compared to Paddington, a fictional story.

From the beginning, explain that the story is based on real events, supplementing the slides with photos of Floella Benjamin. When comparing, discuss the difference of fiction and non-fiction explicitly.

Keywords

  • Non-fiction - a genre of text which presents real events, information or knowledge

  • Similarities - things that are the same

  • Differences - things that are different

  • Comparison - similarities and differences between two things

Use a world map to celebrate nationalities and heritages of others.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need copies of the 2014 Harper Collins Children's Books edition of 'Paddington' by Michael Bond and the 2020 Macmillan Children's Books edition of 'Coming to England' by Floella Benjamin.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Who is the main character in the story 'Paddington'?
Mrs Bird
Correct answer: Paddington Bear
Mr Brown
the taxi driver
Q2.
Where did Paddington travel from?
England
Correct answer: Peru
Spain
Q3.
Why do the Brown family name the bear Paddington?
They name him Paddington because his coat is padded.
They name him Paddington because their favourite place is Paddington Station.
Correct answer: They name him Paddington because they find him at Paddington Station.
Q4.
How could you describe Paddington?
Correct answer: clumsy
tidy
organised
Correct answer: messy
Q5.
A __________ book means it is a made up story.
Correct answer: fiction
non-fiction
new
old
Q6.
A __________ book means it is about real things, information or events.
fiction
Correct answer: non-fiction
new
old

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
'Coming to England' is a true story about ...
Paddington Bear.
Correct answer: Floella Benjamin.
the Brown family.
Q2.
Where does the book 'Coming to England' start?
England
Correct answer: Trinidad
Peru
Q3.
How did Floella travel to England?
by train
by aeroplane
Correct answer: by boat
Q4.
Match each key term to its example.
Correct Answer:fiction book,'Paddington'

'Paddington'

Correct Answer:non-fiction book,'Coming to England'

'Coming to England'

Correct Answer:author's name,Floella Benjamin

Floella Benjamin

Q5.
Put the events in the book 'Coming to England' in the correct order.
1 - Floella lived in Trinidad with her family.
2 - Floella's mother and father emigrated to England.
3 - Floella emigrated to England.
4 - Floella grew up and was honoured by the Queen.
Q6.
Match each statement to whether it is about 'Paddington', 'Coming to England' or both.
Correct Answer:'Paddington',about a bear who travelled by train from Peru

about a bear who travelled by train from Peru

Correct Answer:'Coming to England',about Floella Benjamin who travelled by boat from Trinidad

about Floella Benjamin who travelled by boat from Trinidad

Correct Answer:both,a story either partly or completely set in England

a story either partly or completely set in England