The Firework Maker's Daughter - Learning Sequence

The learning sequence for "The Firework Maker's Daughter" is meticulously crafted to immerse Year 6 students in the literary world of Lila's adventures. Over the first three weeks, students employ a 'word detective grid' to decipher unfamiliar vocabulary and use a story map or timeline to track pivotal plot developments. The opening of the book is explored to understand how Lila, the protagonist, is introduced, and students record their insights. Activities include reading the first chapter, gathering character information, writing diary entries from Lila's perspective, and engaging in creative tasks like inventing and describing new fireworks. As they delve into the story, students consider the cultural setting, role-play conversations between characters, and predict future events, enhancing their understanding through direct speech exercises and mapping character journeys.

The subsequent weeks continue to enrich the students' engagement with the text. They map Lila's quest, focusing on language use and delving into technical vocabulary related to volcanoes, which they research independently. Writing tasks are scaffolded with planning formats, drafting paragraphs, and using conjunctions for clarity. As they progress through the chapters, discussions on character emotions and reactions are paired with language exploration to deepen comprehension. Wrapping up the unit, students analyze themes, debate character development, and delve into poetry. They craft their own poems, drawing inspiration from descriptive language and similes, and focus on performance aspects like tone and volume. The unit culminates in students presenting their work, fostering not only literary analysis but also creative expression and public speaking skills.