The Explorer - Session 4 - Worksheet

Session 4 of 'The Explorer' worksheet, produced by KS2Gems in 2021, offers a comprehensive set of activities for Year 6 students centred around the theme 'The River'. In the discussion questions, students are encouraged to delve into the characters' experiences, particularly focusing on which character is finding the situation challenging, the importance of the river in the story, and what Fred's backstory reveals about his personality. The reading activities prompt students to continue a timeline of events, sketch the river setting using descriptions from the text, and interpret key phrases such as 'It felt like hope' in relation to Fred's perspective. Additionally, students are tasked with comparing characters' reactions and conducting a character analysis of Fred, alongside a reading comprehension exercise.

The worksheet also incorporates grammar and punctuation exercises, where students can practise using semi-colons, colons, expanded noun phrases, dashes, direct speech, modal verbs, and hyphenated words. A 'Words to Workshop' section presents a list of challenging vocabulary for students to explore. Writing opportunities are abundant, ranging from poetry inspired by rainforest themes to narrative writing, including creating an alternative chapter ending and composing a diary entry or letter from the character Fred. Students are also prompted to engage in discussions and write explanations on topics such as water safety and the water cycle. The session is further enriched with cross-curricular links, incorporating science topics like animal habitats and evolution, computing tasks such as creating a database of Amazonian wildlife, historical exploration of the Amazon, geographical mapping, art projects inspired by Henri Rousseau, designing in DT, music related to the rainforest, and various PE activities. PSHE themes of courage, personal safety, first aid, resilience, and tolerance are also woven into the learning experience.