Developing an understanding of 'Front Desk' through rich discussions
I can discuss the main ideas of ‘Front Desk’.
Developing an understanding of 'Front Desk' through rich discussions
I can discuss the main ideas of ‘Front Desk’.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- ‘Front Desk’ is a fictional novel, inspired by the author’s childhood.
- The text explores complex themes including racism, bullying, poverty and justice
- The text shares with readers the importance of tolerance and diversity.
- Throughout the text, Mia notices how people are judged based on their race, ethnicity or social status.
Keywords
Immigrant - An immigrant is a person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country.
Prejudice - Prejudice is holding unfair and unreasonable opinions or feelings based on limited thought and knowledge.
Discrimination - Discrimination means treating a person or group of people differently and unfairly because of a certain characteristic.
Theme - A theme is a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story.
Common misconception
Everyone is treated fairly and equally.
By exploring the text and reading the author's note, it is clear that not everyone has equal rights. Pupils could explore charities like Amnesty International who campaign for equality.
To help you plan your year 5 english lesson on: Developing an understanding of 'Front Desk' through rich discussions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 5 english lesson on: Developing an understanding of 'Front Desk' 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 'Front Desk': book club unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2021 Knights Of edition of ‘Front Desk’, written by Kelly Yang, illustrated by Maike Plenzke, for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
a person or an animal in a story
where the story takes place
what happens in the story
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country
holding unfair and unreasonable opinions based on limited knowledge
a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story