Understanding the authorial context of 'The Proudest Blue'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can understand the author's life and why they chose to write 'The Proudest Blue'.
Key learning points
- The author of 'The Proudest Blue' is Ibtihaj Muhammad, written alongside S. K. Ali.
- 'The Proudest Blue' is a children's picture book which celebrates the importance and beauty of the hijab.
- 'The Proudest Blue' is inspired by the author's own life.
- Ibtihaj Muhammad was the first American fencing player to wear the hijab and participate in the Olympics.
- Ibtihaj wrote 'The Proudest Blue' so that young girls who wear the hijab can see themselves represented and feel proud.
Keywords
Author - the person responsible for crafting the words that make up a text
Hijab - a head covering worn by some Muslim women
Fencing - a combat sport that features sword-fighting
Proud - feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one's own achievements or qualities
Common misconception
Children may assume that all Muslim women wear a hijab or struggle to understand why some do and some don't.
Expand upon the cultural and religious significance of the hijab as well as individual choice.
Teacher tip
Read an extract from the author's notes at the back of the book to enhance the children's understanding of authorial context through the author's own words.
Equipment
You will need a copy of the 2020 Andersen Press edition of ‘The Proudest Blue’ by Ibtihaj Muhammad for this lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is an author?
Q2.What is a character in a story?
Q3.What is a setting?
Q4.What is an illustration?
Q5.Put the following in the order they appear in a story.
Q6.Which of the following support you in reading and understanding a text?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is 'The Proudest Blue' about?
Q2.What is the name of the main author of 'The Proudest Blue'?
Q3.Which Olympic Sport did Ibtihaj Muhammad win a Bronze medal for?
Q4.Why did Ibtihaj Muhammad pursue a career in fencing?
Q5.Which faith/religion is wearing the hijab an expression of?
Q6.Why did Ibtihaj Muhammad write 'The Proudest Blue'?
To help you plan your 2 English lesson on: Understanding the authorial context of 'The Proudest Blue', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 2 English lesson on: Understanding the authorial context of 'The Proudest Blue', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 English lessons from the 'The Proudest Blue': reading and writing unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.