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Year 2

Engaging with key themes in 'The Proudest Blue'

I can explore the key themes in 'The Proudest Blue'.

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New
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Year 2

Engaging with key themes in 'The Proudest Blue'

I can explore the key themes in 'The Proudest Blue'.

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Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A theme is a big idea, topic or message that appears in a story.
  2. Themes in a story are used to convey deeper meaning and messages to the reader.
  3. 'The Proudest Blue' explores themes of identity, pride and differences, among many others.
  4. Stories can create a personal response linked to the reader's own views or personal experiences.
  5. Many different factors can contribute to a person's identity and everyone deserves to feel normal and proud.

Keywords

  • Theme - a big idea, topic or message that appears in a story

  • Identity - the different aspects that make up who we are

  • Pride - the feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one's own achievements or qualities

Common misconception

Children may find it difficult to understand the concept of challenging the idea of what is 'normal'.

Explore examples of how 'normal' looks different everywhere. Encourage children to consider things that may feel normal to them but not to others as a a tool for exploring the concept.

Exploring the themes of sisterhood and community in more depth and how they are linked to identity and pride within 'The Proudest Blue' could enhance the teaching of this lesson. Teachers should be mindful of the different identities of the pupils in the class.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need a copy of the 2020 Andersen Press edition of ‘The Proudest Blue’ by Ibtihaj Muhammad for this lesson.

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).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What challenges do Faiza and Asiya face in 'The Proudest Blue'?
They fight with each other.
Correct answer: They experience unkindness from others.
They find their school work difficult.
Q2.
How do Faiza and Asiya respond to people treating them differently?
They hide their religion and identity.
They change themselves to fit in.
Correct answer: They view the hijab as normal and remain proud of it.
Q3.
Why does the author compare Asiya's hijab to the skies and the sea?
Correct answer: To show its normality, strength and beauty.
To show that it's blue.
To show that it's different.
Q4.
How can we uncover the deeper meaning of a story?
Correct answer: Look for clues in the text to infer.
Correct answer: Discuss the story with others to hear different perspectives.
Retrieve information from the text.
Q5.
True or false? Everyone will have the same opinions and perspective on a story.
Correct Answer: False, false
Q6.
What is the definition of identity?
the things we like
what we believe in
where we live
Correct answer: the different aspects that make up who we are

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a theme in a narrative?
a summary of a story
Correct answer: a big idea, topic or message that appears in a story
a reader's favourite part of a story
Q2.
Which of the following are key themes in 'The Proudest Blue'?
Correct answer: identity
greed
Correct answer: pride
animals
Correct answer: differences
Q3.
Match the vocabulary to the correct definition.
Correct Answer:identity,the different aspects that make up who we are

the different aspects that make up who we are

Correct Answer:pride,the feeling of deep pleasure as a result of one's own qualities

the feeling of deep pleasure as a result of one's own qualities

Correct Answer:differences,ways in which people or things are not similar

ways in which people or things are not similar

Q4.
True or False? Personal identity is determined by one aspect of a person's life.
Correct Answer: False, false
Q5.
True or false? There is one way of being 'normal'.
Correct Answer: False, false
Q6.
How can you support others in feeling proud of their identity?
Correct answer: show kindness to everyone
be afraid of differences
Correct answer: show interest in what is important to others
Correct answer: celebrate differences