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This is one of 16 activities to try during Michael Morpurgo Month, each of which explores an extract from a different book written by the world famous author. The books are grouped into four themes: natural world, animal adventures, tales retold, and times of war. All the activities can be used as either a quick starter or a longer lesson and provide a great opportunity to develop children’s comprehension and vocabulary - not to mention a love of Michael Morpurgo’s books.
Shadow
Never have Aman and his mother needed a friend more than when a springer spaniel appears – thin and war-ravaged – in the mouth of their Afghan cave. Nursed back to health by Aman, the dog becomes a constant companion, a shadow, and that’s what Aman decides to call her. When Aman and his mother decide to make a bid for freedom, Shadow will not leave their side. Soon it becomes clear: the destinies of boy and dog are linked, and always will be...
Using the resource
This resource shares a scene where Aman and his mother have just had all of their money and belongings stolen and Shadow has been driven off by gunfire. They are all alone and all hope is lost, until Shadow returns! After reading the text, there are suggested discussion activities considering: • Comprehension of a rich text, drawing on inferences • Specific vocabulary choices made by an author, introducing unfamiliar vocabulary Depending on time and the needs of your class, you may want to work through all of these interrelated activities or focus on just one.
There is also a sheet with a writing challenge based on the extract. For Shadow it focuses on writing in character, expressing emotions and viewpoint. This could be used as a short classroom activity or as homework to consolidate the learning in the teaching session. After reading and discussing the extract some children may be inspired to read the book itself. You could read it aloud as a class novel or direct children to where they can find a copy to read themselves: the book corner, school library, local library or a local bookshop.
Teacher’s notes for the PowerPoint Slide 2 • Share the front cover and blurb to introduce the book and give context.
Slide 4 • Show the children this extract from the end of the chapter. Ask them:
• Ask children if anyone has read the book
• Who is talking here (Aman)
before. Does the blurb make them want to read on?
Slide 3 • Tell the children that this part of the story is being told by a boy called Aman. He and his mother are travelling from Afghanistan to England to escape the war there, using some money they have been sent by Aman’s uncle. However, the local police have taken all of their money and jewellery, leaving them with nothing. They have also shot at Shadow the dog when she tried to protect Aman and Mother, driving her away. Then Shadow returns.
• Read aloud together (either with the
teacher reading aloud and children following, children reading together as a class or children reading together in pairs).
• Ask the children:
- How might Aman feel when he sees Shadow return? - How does his mother feel? - Have her feelings about Shadow the dog changed? How do you know?
• Tell the children that the text tells us how Aman and his mother were feeling. How might Shadow feel now she has returned to the humans after being shot at?
• Ask the children to work with a partner
and imagine that Shadow could talk. What would she say to the humans, if she could? How might she be feeling? Share ideas as a class.
• How is he feeling? (hopeful for the future; determined)
• What has helped to bring this new sense
of hope? (Shadow returning – if she believes in them, then they should believe in themselves)
Slide 5 • Remind the children that adverbs are words that describe or give more details about a verb.
• Ask the children for their suggestions as to what these words might mean.
Slide 6 • Ask the children to work with a partner to use these words in a sentence.
• Display the words in the classroom
– either on a working wall or near the whiteboard. Set the class the challenge of using the words in their conversation or writing this week.
Slide 7 • Return to the front cover and blurb.
• Ask the children if they would like to
read Shadow having looked at this extract in detail and thought about Michael Morpurgo’s skillful writing.
• Point children to where they can find a
copy (either any copies you have in the classroom, the school library, or suggest the local library or a bookshop).