Full lesson	Create for a teacher a set of content for giving a lesson, beginning with the lesson plan. Each new block of materials must begin with an H1 heading (other subheaders must be H2, H3, etc). When you describe required pictures, write those descriptions in curly brackets, for example: {A picture of a triangle}
Which subject	Reading
What topic	'My Place' Nadia Wheatley
What length (min)	15
What age group	Year or Grade 6
Class size	6
What curriculum	Readers circle
Include full script
Check previous homework
Ask some students to presents their homework
Add a physical break
Add group activities
Include homework
Show correct answers
Prepare slide templates
Number of slides	5
Create fill-in cards for students
Create creative backup tasks for unexpected moments

Lesson plan

Topic

My Place - Nadia Wheatley

Objectives

• To understand and analyze the themes and characters in 'My Place' by Nadia Wheatley.
• To engage in discussions about personal narratives and identity.
• To develop critical thinking and comprehension skills through guided activities.

Grade/Age Group

Year 6

Subject

Reading

Class Size

6 Students

Length of Lesson

15 Minutes

National Curriculum Alignment

Readers Circle

Materials

• Copies of 'My Place' by Nadia Wheatley (Excerpt)
• Printable cards for students to fill in during the lesson
• Whiteboard and markers
• Timer

Lesson Structure

Step Number	Step Title	Length	Details
1	Introduction	2 minutes	Briefly introduce the book 'My Place' and its significance in exploring identity. Engage students with a few starter questions about their understanding of place.
2	Reading Excerpt	3 minutes	Read a selected excerpt from 'My Place' aloud to the class. Focus on tone and character development.
3	Printable Card Activity	4 minutes	Distribute printable cards to students. Instruct them to fill out key themes or personal reflections based on the excerpt.
4	Random Checking	2 minutes	Collect or randomly check the printable cards to gauge understanding without formal presentations.
5	Assign Homework	2 minutes	Assign relevant homework based on the lesson's objectives, ensuring students understand the tasks without further elaboration in class.
6	Conclusion	2 minutes	Summarize the key points discussed in the lesson. Encourage students to continue thinking about their own place and identity.

Homework

• Homework will be assigned at the end of the lesson, which students will complete independently. Submission will be requested for the next lesson.

Assessment

• Observational assessment during the lesson activities to evaluate student engagement and understanding.
• Review of printable cards filled out by students for comprehension and participation evaluation.

Modifications

• Provide additional support for students who may need help with reading or writing during activities.
• Use visual aids if necessary to reinforce the concepts presented in the lesson.

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This lesson plan provides a structured yet flexible approach to teaching 'My Place' by Nadia Wheatley while ensuring that students engage actively with the material and reflect on their own experiences related to the themes discussed.

Lesson script

Introduction

Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to explore a wonderful book called My Place by Nadia Wheatley. This book is important because it helps us think about identity and our connection to places. Can anyone tell me what 'place' means to them? Think about your own home or a special location. What makes it meaningful?"

Wait for responses and encourage students to share their thoughts. Spotlight any strong contributions.

Reading Excerpt

Teacher: "Now that we've shared our ideas on place, let’s dive into a part of My Place. I’ll read an excerpt aloud. As I do, pay attention to the characters and the tone of the text. I want you to think about how the setting influences the characters' feelings. Here we go!"

Read the selected excerpt clearly and expressively, ensuring to highlight key emotions and character nuances. After reading, pause for a moment.

Printable Card Activity

Teacher: "Great listening, everyone! Now, I have some printable cards for you. I want you to take a few minutes to fill these out. On the card, jot down any themes you noticed or personal reflections about your own experiences with place. If you feel inspired, you can also draw a picture that represents a place significant to you."

Walk around to monitor student progress and offer support where needed, helping any students who might struggle with writing.

Random Checking

Teacher: "Time's up! Now, I’m going to collect the cards, but I won't be going through them formally—just a quick check to see how everyone is processing the ideas. Feel free to keep your thoughts to yourselves if you prefer. I might ask a few of you to share your reflections soon!"

Collect the cards quickly and move back to the front of the class while encouraging students to be proud of what they've written.

Assign Homework

Teacher: "For homework, I would like you to think about your own place and write a short paragraph about its significance to you. You can also include an illustration if you’d like! Be ready to share your thoughts when we meet next time. Remember, this is not about perfection, but about expressing what makes your place special."

Ensure students understand the task without going into too much detail—prioritize clarity.

Conclusion

Teacher: "To wrap up, let’s reflect on what we’ve learned today. We’ve discussed how My Place explores identity and place, and how both concepts are vital in shaping who we are. I encourage you all to keep thinking about your own relationships with places over the next few days. What stories do they hold? I look forward to hearing all about it in our next class!"

Finish with an enthusiastic tone, perhaps asking if anyone has a final question, before dismissing the class.

Homework

1. What is a place that holds special meaning for you? Describe it in a few sentences, explaining why it is significant.

2. Reflect on the characters from My Place by Nadia Wheatley. How do their feelings about their environment influence their identities?

3. Choose one theme from My Place that resonates with you. What is it, and how does it relate to your own experiences with places?

4. Illustrate a place that has impacted you personally. In your drawing, try to capture the emotions and memories associated with that place.

5. Based on today’s lesson, what role do you think place plays in shaping community and identity? Write a brief paragraph discussing your thoughts.

6. Think about a time when a specific location changed how you felt. Describe that experience and what the place meant to you at that moment.

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Correct answers

1. (Subjective answer; students’ personal reflections will vary.)
2. (Subjective answer; responses should reflect understanding that characters' emotions are affected by their settings.)
3. (Subjective answer; responses will vary based on personal connections to themes in the book.)
4. (Subjective answer; students’ illustrations will vary widely.)
5. (Subjective answer; students should provide a coherent thought about the connection between place and identity/community.)
6. (Subjective answer; students’ responses will vary based on their own experiences.)

Printables

Question	Answer
What does 'place' mean to you?
How did the characters in My Place feel about their surroundings?
Can you identify any themes present in My Place?
Why is it important to reflect on our own experiences with place?
What significance does your own special place hold for you?
How does the setting in a story influence a character's emotions?
What personal reflections did you write on your card?
How can you express the meaning of your place through illustration?
In what ways can places shape our identity?
What stories do the places you connect with hold for you?

Backup questions

1. How does the concept of 'place' shape your identity, and can you give an example from your own life where you've felt a strong connection to a specific location?

2. After reading the excerpt from My Place, what feelings do you think the characters are experiencing, and how do you believe the setting contributes to those emotions?

3. Can you think of a place that has changed over time, either in your life or in history? How do those changes reflect the personal or cultural identities associated with that place?

4. If you could illustrate a moment that defines your relationship with a specific place, what scene would you choose, and what would it depict?

5. Imagine you’re a character in My Place. How would your own story differ from those in the book, and what unique experiences would you share about your place?