Saving

This series of lessons is designed to help teach English Language Arts concepts through the study of Kensuke's Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo. Shared reading aloud of Chapter 9 Students re-read the section about the rescue of the turtles pp. 141-144 and focus in on the  last section of the chapter from p. 142-3

• Why does Kensuke think that the turtles are brave?
• Why does Kensuke say that the turtles “teach me good lesson”?
• In what way is Kensuke going to be like a turtle?
• What truth is he expecting or fearing to find when he goes home to Japan?

Encourage students to use the P.E.E. prompt when answering these questions. Feedback to  the class and record responses. Shared reading aloud of Chapter 10 stopping at the end of p. 154. Focus in on pp.150-4. Ask students to discuss the following questions in pairs or groups:

• How does the author’s description of the setting convey that something terrible is happening on the island? Pick out phrases that show this and explain the emotions  that are communicated by the description of the setting in those phrases.
• How are the orang-utans feeling in this section of the story? How do you know?  Identify key phrases that show how they are feeling and explain why they might be  feeling like this.
• On p.153, why does Michael say “There were no words in me left to speak, and  Kensuke had no songs left to sing.” What does this tell us about the way that Michael  and Kensuke are feeling in this section of the story?

Encourage students to use the P.E.E. prompt when answering these questions. Feedback to  the class and record responses. Once the students have had the opportunity to discuss both of the sections from Chapter 9  and 10, ask them to compare the similarities and differences in those sections. They could  record these on a table or, depending on ability, write a paragraph comparing the two  sections. Are there any broader messages in these sections about the relationships between  humans and animals? What do you think the author might be trying to say about the ways in  which the animal and human worlds co-exist?

In-Game Activity: Saving

Both Michael and Kensuke care deeply about the animals they are responsible for.

1. In this task you need to go to the beach on the West side of the island above Michael’s  cave. Find as many turtle eggs as you can scattered around the beach. Carry the eggs  to the edge of the water so that they can safely hatch.
2. In this second task you are going to create a safe hiding place in the forest for the  orangutans (Endermen).This must be well camouflaged and hidden with a secret  entrance. We recommend a tree house but it is up to you.

FOLLOW UP TASK:

Do you have an animal you care about or one you would like as a pet? Write a description of them and their character.

• What is it that you like about them?
• What quirks do they have?
• How do you know how they are feeling?

Suggested writing activity: Children read the letter from Michael Morpurgo at the end of the  book and research about endangered species. They write a discussion text or persuasive letter  about the destructions of habitats. Cross-curricular: Geography link with protecting the environment and endangered species.

• Students are active participants in each activity.
• Students are able to infer characters’ feelings, thoughts and motives from their actions, justifying inferences with evidence: Point+Evidence+Explanation.
• Students are able to Make comparisons within texts.