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Year 5

Introducing the context of 'Princess Sophia Duleep Singh: My Story'

I can explore the context of 'Princess Sophia Duleep Singh: My Story'.

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Year 5

Introducing the context of 'Princess Sophia Duleep Singh: My Story'

I can explore the context of 'Princess Sophia Duleep Singh: My Story'.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. ‘Princess Sophia Duleep Singh: My Story’ is a historical fiction text set between 1886-1928.
  2. Sophia's life was intertwined with significant events related to the British Empire's rule over India.
  3. The text explores British history as well as celebrating diversity, with strong themes of family & justice.

Keywords

  • Historical fiction - Historical fiction is a genre in which a fictional plot takes place in the setting of particular real historical events.

  • British Empire - The British Empire is the colonies, dominions and other territories ruled to some degree by and from Britain.

  • India - In this historical context, India refers to the British-controlled territories in South Asia during the period of British colonial rule, including Punjab, the Sikh Empire's homeland.

  • Trade - Trade is the exchange of goods, commodities and services.

Common misconception

Pupils may find it challenging to note down qualities for each of the Duleep Singhs.

Mind maps could be displayed for each family member with information added as pupils read.

Images of Sophia could be added to the slides / classroom. Before the following lesson, read Chapters 2 and 3. Children can read independently or have this read to them.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

You need a copy of the 2022 Scholastic edition of ‘Princess Sophia Duleep Singh (My Story), written by Sufiya Ahmed, for this lesson.

content-guidance

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

copyright

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.
Which of the following are genres of text?
Correct answer: science fiction
Correct answer: fantasy
poetry collection
Correct answer: historical fiction
graphic novel
Q2.
Which of the following best describes a non-fiction text?
when there are lots of texts with the same characters
Correct answer: a genre of text which presents real events, information, or knowledge
a form of text combining words and images in long-form, sequential art panels
Q3.
What is an appropriate definition of a historical fiction text?
a genre in which oral stories are shared and passed down over time
Correct answer: a genre in which a fictional plot takes place during real, historical events
a genre of text, blending magical elements into realistic settings
Q4.
Based on their front covers, which of the following is a historical fiction text?
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q5.
Which of the following is an appropriate definition of the word injustice?
strong feelings that result from a person's circumstances or relationships
significant difference between one thing and another
Correct answer: when people don't get the same rights, opportunities or treatment as others
Q6.
True or false? An impression refers to initial feelings about a person, place or thing, gained from reading a text.
Correct Answer: true, True
Q4 image 1 Escape from Pompeii, Christina Balit, Frances Lincoln Children's Books Q4 image 2 Copyright © Anthony Browne 1981, From HANSEL AND GRETEL by Anthony Browne. Reproduced by permission of Walker Books Ltd Q4 image 3 ‘The Wolf, The Duck And The Mouse’, Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen, 2017 Walker Books Ltd

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Who is the author of the text 'Princess Sophia Duleep Singh'?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: Sufiya Ahmed, sufiya ahmed, Sufiya ahmed
Q2.
Match the keywords to their definitions.
Correct Answer:historical fiction,a genre in which a fictional plot occurs in real historical events
tick

a genre in which a fictional plot occurs in real historical events

Correct Answer:British Empire,the colonies, dominions and other territories ruled by Britain
tick

the colonies, dominions and other territories ruled by Britain

Correct Answer:India,British-controlled territories in South Asia, including Punjab
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British-controlled territories in South Asia, including Punjab

Q3.
Which of the following best describes the term trade?
the British-controlled territories in South Asia
Correct answer: the exchange of goods, commodities and services
a genre in which a fictional plot occurs in real historical events
Q4.
Who took care of the Duleep Singhs when they moved to Britain?
Queen Elizabeth I
The British East India Company
Correct answer: Queen Victoria
Q5.
Match the family member’s name to their relationship to Sophia.
Correct Answer:Bamba,eldest sister
tick

eldest sister

Correct Answer:Catherine,older sister
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older sister

Correct Answer:Victor,eldest brother
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eldest brother

Correct Answer:Eddie,younger brother
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younger brother

Q6.
True or False? Sophia's father disliked using the term 'invaders'.
Correct Answer: False, false
Q1 Princess Sophia Duleep Singh (My Story),Sufiya Ahmed, Euan Cook, Scholastic