The Secret of Platform 13 - Session 8 - Worksheet

In Session 8 of "The Secret of Platform 13," students delve into chapters 12 and 13 with a series of thought-provoking discussion questions. They explore Mr. Trottle's views on his son, Raymond, and discuss the necessity of secret watchers for the rescuers. Additionally, they examine Ben's eagerness to assist in Raymond's kidnapping, encouraging students to engage with the text on a deeper level. These discussions are designed to develop students' reading and comprehension skills, as outlined in the RS3 and RS4 learning objectives.

Alongside the discussions, students continue to develop their reading skills through various activities. They are tasked with continuing a timeline to track the unfolding events and perform a character analysis update on Mrs. Trottle, building on what they learned in session 1. The session also includes a focused reading comprehension exercise. In grammar and punctuation, students embark on a 'Grammar Hunt,' seeking out adjectives, noun phrases, commas, and instances of direct speech within the text. The 'Words to Workshop' section challenges students to explore and understand a diverse range of vocabulary, enhancing their language skills in line with RS2 and RS7 objectives.

Writing opportunities are abundant in this session, with creative tasks such as writing a diary entry from the perspective of Mrs. Trottle or Raymond, creating a leaflet for The Astor Hotel, designing an advert for bodyguards, drafting a job description for secret watchers, and composing instructions on how to kidnap Raymond. These activities are aimed at fostering imaginative thinking and improving writing proficiency.

The session extends beyond English literature, offering cross-curricular links to other subjects. In science, students can explore topics like plants, living things and their habitats, states of matter, and sound. Computing tasks include using software to animate a magic show, while geography focuses on identifying UK counties and cities. Artistic expression is encouraged through designing a poster for The Astor Hotel, and in design and technology (DT), students are invited to create a showstopper cake and host an afternoon tea party. Music lessons can be accompanied by playlists suitable for an afternoon tea at The Astor Hotel, available on platforms like Spotify and YouTube. Lastly, personal, social, health, and economic (PSHE) education is integrated with themes of integrity, respect, difference, tolerance, and self-control, promoting a holistic learning experience.