The activities in this Books for Topics pack are based on the book The Firework-Maker’s Daughter, by Philip Pullman, and can be used to support the teaching of reading and writing with KS2 children.
The teacher will need access to a copy of the text to read aloud to the pupils, with particular extracts to share with the pupils noted in the teaching notes. A class set of this short book would be beneficial, for pupils to refer to.
These teaching resources cover areas of reading and writing from the English programme of study for years 3 and 4. They include comprehension questions, with answers; additional comprehension activities; writing frames; grammar activities and reading activities, enabling you to plan a series of engaging lessons for KS2 children. When writing, pupils will have the opportunity to write descriptions using their senses, expanding noun phrases using adjectives and prepositional phrases.
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What is included in this KS2 resource pack?
- Comprehension questions for each chapter, presented as PDF notes (with answers) for staff, a pupil worksheet and PPT that could be used for whole-class or group work
- Tier 2 vocabulary list for each chapter
- Tier 2 vocabulary cards for each chapter
- PowerPoint with teaching slides linked to the suggested teaching activities
- Worksheet – Role on the Wall
- Worksheet – Design a Firework
- Worksheet – The Goddess of the Lake
- Worksheet – Lila and Chulak’s journeys
- Worksheet – Planning a Journey Story
- Teaching notes
What is the story of the novel, The Firework-Maker’s Daughter?
This novel by Philip Pullman tells a tale of a young girl named Lila who wants to become a fireworks-maker, just like her father. However, her father thinks that making fireworks is not a suitable job, because she is a girl; she should marry, instead. The book tells the tale of Lila disagreeing with her father and journeying to obtain Royal Sulphur from Razvani the Fire-Fiend at Mount Merapi, as is the requirement for anyone wishing to become a true firework-maker. She is helped in her quest by her friends, Chulak, and Hamlet, the magical White Elephant he takes care of for the Emperor.
Where is the novel, The Firework-Maker’s Daughter, set?
The Firework-Maker’s Daughteris set in an unnamed kingdom in the Far East. Mount Merapi is in Central Java, Indonesia.
What is the meaning behind the story in The Firework-Maker’s Daughter?
The Firework-Maker’s Daughter is described as a ‘fairy-tale’ by its author, Philip Pullman. It is a thrilling adventure about the importance of perseverance, as well as talent and luck, when following your dreams. It can also be read as a tale about the creation of art itself.