Inspired by: Harry and the Jaggedy Daggers - Week 6

The literary journey of 'Harry and the Jaggedy Daggers' presents a valuable lesson on the theme of perseverance and not judging by appearances. In one of the activities, students are encouraged to delve into the narrative to identify the main ideas spanning multiple paragraphs and summarise them. An instance cited is Harry's use of an unconventional teacup to save eggs, which initially seemed impractical. This scenario prompts students to reflect on the overarching message of the story, which could be that appearances can be misleading or that steady, determined efforts often lead to success, echoing the moral of Aesop's 'The Hare and The Tortoise'. The task involves finding textual evidence to support their interpretation of the theme.

Another learning point focuses on the effective choice of nouns or pronouns to enhance clarity and cohesion in writing. Students examine a specific sentence where Harry is welcomed home with 'a fantastic flotilla of friends', discussing why the author, Jan Fearnley, chose the word 'flotilla' and exploring alternative nouns that could describe a gathering of friends, both at sea and on land. This activity aims to show how different nouns can influence the reader's perception, suggesting friendliness or hostility. Additionally, students are tasked with organising a story about Harry's heroism, planning the narrative structure, and deciding on paragraph openings that align with the thematic stages of the story. This exercise helps students understand the importance of thematic organisation in storytelling.