Developing responses to 'Cloud Busting' through rich discussions
I can develop my own response to 'Cloud Busting’.
Developing responses to 'Cloud Busting' through rich discussions
I can develop my own response to 'Cloud Busting’.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The character of Sam changes dramatically from the start of the text to the end.
- Characters within the text depict a range of emotions. Character traits can be understood from these.
- Character traits can be explored through the text’s illustrations or words used by the characters.
- Making connections and recommendations can significantly enhance the reading experience and broaden understanding.
Keywords
Character trait - Character traits are the special qualities that make a character in a story unique and interesting.
Connection - How a text relates to a reader, another text or the wider world can be called a connection.
Recommendation - A recommendation is a suggestion for a text that is well-suited to a reader’s age and their interests.
Common misconception
The friendship between Sam and Davey is wholly positive or negative.
The relationship between both boys is complex. You may wish to explore the theme of bullying in a separate lesson (e.g. PSHE) to acknowledge the traits that Sam exhibits and what could be done to resolve or address the behaviour.
To help you plan your year 6 english lesson on: Developing responses to 'Cloud Busting' through rich discussions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 6 english lesson on: Developing responses to 'Cloud Busting' through rich discussions, 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 2 english lessons from the 'Cloud Busting': book club unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2020 Yearling edition of ‘Cloud Busting’, written by Malorie Blackman with illustrations by Helen van Vliet, for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
the special qualities that make a character in a story unique
how a text relates to a reader, another text or the wider world
a text that is well-suited to a reader’s age and interests
regrets something that has happened to his friend, who he misses
does not pay much attention in class or assembly
has just joined the school; he is described as 'anxious' and unsure
lonely but recognises the positive effect that his friend had on him
still remains popular; is remorseful for what happened to Davey
has left the school without saying goodbye to anyone