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Year 6

Developing reading preferences in Year 6 through personal reflection

I can understand my reader identity by reflecting on my reading experiences.

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New
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Year 6

Developing reading preferences in Year 6 through personal reflection

I can understand my reader identity by reflecting on my reading experiences.

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Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Reader identity is the process of reflecting on what you enjoy or do not enjoy reading
  2. Reading is a very personal experience; it is unique to every reader
  3. Reading can take many forms; it does not have to be restricted to a book
  4. Texts can connect with readers on an emotional and intellectual level
  5. Texts can have a profound effect on the reader

Keywords

  • Reader identity - a reflection on who you are as a reader and why you read

  • Perspective - your way of thinking about and understanding something

  • Emotional connection - refers to how a reader identifies with a text, reflecting on their personal feelings and unique perspective

  • Intellectual connection - refers to how a reader understands and engages with a book’s themes and ideas

  • Nostalgia - the sentimental longing for past experiences or times

Common misconception

Pupils might think that texts can only have emotional or intellectual connections to readers.

Explain that texts can connect both intellectually and emotionally. Provide examples from members of staff.


To help you plan your year 6 english lesson on: Developing reading preferences in Year 6 through personal reflection, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Adapt the emotional and intellectual connections to reflect your own choices. Likewise, with the Desert Island Texts - replace with examples that connect to your own reader identity.
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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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.
True or False? Readers who like reading non-fiction texts will not enjoy reading fiction.
Correct Answer: False, false
Q2.
Which of the following are true?
Correct answer: Readers' preferences are personal and unique to them.
Readers' preferences are based on their librarian's interests.
Correct answer: All readers' preferences are equally valid.
Some reader preferences are more important than others.
Q3.
True or False? You should always research an author's biography before reading their text.
Correct Answer: False, false
Q4.
What can readers assume about a text from the front cover?
Correct answer: target audience
character development
Correct answer: plot elements
the ending/resolution
Q5.
Which definition best describes the realistic fiction genre?
a genre characterised by exciting and often risky journeys or quests
Correct answer: literature that portrays events, characters, and settings that could exist
a traditional story featuring magical elements
Q6.
Your reader identity is a reflection on...
the number of words that you can read.
who your friends are as readers and why they read.
what your teacher reads to the class.
Correct answer: who you are as a reader and why you read.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definitions.
Correct Answer:reader identity,a reflection on who you are as a reader and why you read
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a reflection on who you are as a reader and why you read

Correct Answer:perspective,your unique way of thinking about something
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your unique way of thinking about something

Correct Answer:emotional connection,how a text connects with a reader's personal feelings
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how a text connects with a reader's personal feelings

Correct Answer:intellectual connection,how a text connects with a reader's thoughts and ideas
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how a text connects with a reader's thoughts and ideas

Q2.
Nostalgia is the sentimental longing for...
unfamiliar places.
Correct answer: past experiences or times.
future events.
unknown people.
Q3.
Which feeling or emotion is most likely to be elicited from the text's title and tagline: 'Crater Lake: Don't. Ever. Fall Asleep'?
inspiration
Correct answer: fear
happiness
excitement
Q4.
True or False? Self-help or inspirational texts aim to evoke positive emotions within their readers.
Correct Answer: True, true
Q5.
Which of the following examples best fits a text that evokes an emotional connection in a reader?
Correct answer: a text that makes you cry
a text that makes you reflect on its themes
a text that makes you change your perspective
a text that gives you new ideas
Q6.
Which of the following examples best fits a text that evokes nostalgia in a reader?
Correct answer: a text that makes you think of a happy childhood memory
a text that makes you laugh
a text that makes you scared
a text that changes your perspective