Week 28, Guided Reading "Knights vs Ninjas" - Phonics Phase 5 - Worksheet

The "Knights vs Ninjas" guided reading session, part of the Phonics Phase 5 curriculum, is a captivating exploration of historical warriors for young readers. The session includes a series of comprehension questions designed to engage students' critical thinking about the characteristics and differences between knights and ninjas. Questions range from defining what a knight and a ninja are, to more analytical queries such as who would win in a fight and why. Students are also prompted to consider the author's language, asking what it means to comb through fight manuals, and to identify the most powerful weapon of a knight and the parts of armour that provide the best protection.

Beyond comprehension, bonus questions encourage students to reflect personally on the topic, asking whether they would prefer to be a heavily armoured knight or a swift ninja, and to consider how we learn about historical periods. The activities accompanying the text are interactive and educational, including completing a worksheet, quiet reading, writing a pros and cons list for being a knight or a ninja, and designing a shield. Additionally, there is a fun task where students use a word bank to list the knight's weapons found on board a ship, helping them to consolidate their understanding of the vocabulary associated with medieval warfare.