Letters from the Lighthouse - Session 16 - Reading Comprehension

In session 16 of "Letters from the Lighthouse," a reading comprehension exercise, students explore the character Esther's desire to remove the yellow stars from refugees' coats, symbolising their liberation from Nazi oppression. Esther educates her classmates about the suffering of the Jews by showing them the star and explaining its significance. The children's initial mockery turns to seriousness and empathy, with some moved to tears upon understanding the gravity of the situation. Miss Simmons, initially resistant to the disruption, eventually assists Esther by providing scissors and instructions to the class.

The narrative also touches on Esther and Olive's initiative to foster community spirit by organising a tea party for villagers and refugees to mingle and connect. Olive's feelings towards Esther are highlighted, with a sense of pride and support for Esther's ideas. Additionally, a peculiar detail is mentioned about Queenie's clocks, all of which have stopped at the exact same time, adding an element of intrigue to the session. The activities in this session aim to deepen students' comprehension and empathy through the characters' experiences and interactions.