The Explorer - Session 11 - Worksheet

In "Session 11 - The Monkeys and the Bees," part of a worksheet series by KS2Gems, students delve into a rich learning experience centred around the themes of cooperation and discovery. The session begins with a set of discussion questions designed to probe the characters' motivations and the significance of key plot elements, such as the reasons behind Con's assistance to Fred and the importance of a hidden map. These questions encourage students to engage with the text at a deeper level, considering the intentions and actions of the characters within the story.

The worksheet offers a variety of reading activities that not only enhance comprehension but also develop critical thinking skills. Students are tasked with continuing a timeline of events, raising their own questions about the narrative, and making predictions about future plot developments. Additionally, they explore character actions in greater detail and tackle reading comprehension exercises. The session also includes a focus on grammar and punctuation, with activities like 'Grammar Hunt' that cover direct speech, sentence structure, and the use of expanded noun phrases. A 'Words to Workshop' section presents a list of vocabulary words for students to explore, ranging from 'emerged' to 'expression'. Writing opportunities are abundant, with suggestions for creating poetry inspired by the rainforest, diary entries from a character's perspective, and discussions on the reliability of the map provided in the story.

Beyond literature, the session extends learning across the curriculum with cross-curricular links in science, computing, history, geography, art, design and technology (DT), music, physical education (PE), and personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education. These links provide a diverse array of activities, such as creating databases of Amazon wildlife, exploring the Amazon Rainforest's history and geography, drawing and painting rainforest creatures, and learning about teamwork and resilience through various thematic activities. This holistic approach to learning ensures that students not only improve their literacy skills but also gain a broader understanding of the world around them.