Overview and Outcomes:

This is a 10-session Reading Leaf for 'The Finaly Year' by Matt Goodfellow which covers all aspects of the Upper Key Stage 2 content domains. There will be opportunities to explore the meaning of new words in context and children will explore the themes of change and loss. They will relate to the shared experiences of SATs, residentials and friendships in a school setting. Children will enjoy this verse novel, which offers an impactful and emotional insight to the impact of words and the importance of relationships. 

Synopsis of Text:

Ten-year-old Nate lives with his mum and two younger brothers, Jax and Dylan. Jax is eight and Dylan, who is 4 and thinks that he is Spiderman. Nate takes care of his younger two brothers when his Mum is out at the bingo with Aunt San, drinking a few ciders. The book begins at the end of Year 5 and quickly moves to the summer break, followed by the beginning of Year 6 (The Final Year), when Nate and his best friend PS are put in different classes. PS begins to hang out with Nate’s nemesis, the school bully, Turner. Nate has a new teacher, Mr Joshua, who notices how much he enjoys reading and writing, encouraging him to write to process the world around him. We are aware of ‘The Beast’ within that Nate works hard to control. Nate’s world is turned upside-down when his youngest brother, Dylan, is rushed to hospital. How will he cope if his brother doesn’t pull through?

Links to Curriculum areas, other Literary Leaves and Planning Sequences:

This would be a great Reading Leaf to use in the Summer Term of Year 6