Overview and Outcomes:

This is a three-week Writing Root for The Ever-Changing Earth by Grahame Baker-Smith in which children learn about the history of planet earth within a narrative context.  The sequence of sessions starts with the arrival of an ammonite in the classroom and a letter from the main character of the book with questions for the class to answer. Children go on to identify terminology and respond to Kûn’s questions. They create an explanation leaflet for the Northern Lights and go on to continue Kûn’s cyclical story.

Synopsis of Text:

Kûn likes to imagine life on Earth millions of years ago when the sky boomed with the wild beat of pterosaur wings. Thousands of miles away, Solveig gazes at the sky as she admires the beauty of the northern lights. Learn how these children are connected in this spellbinding journey through the evolution of Earth’s surface from water world to ice age to the familiar landscape we know today.

Text rationale:

This is from significant author and Greenaway awarded illustrator, Grahame Baker-Smith, who has created a trilogy of books about nature and the world; this is the third in the series, although they are unrelated in narrative. The book expresses awe and wonder through showing the passing of time.  The mesmerising artwork showcases natural phenomena around the world through the eyes of two children who live on opposite sides of the Earth to each other. Relevant curriculum links include themes of environment and natural disasters/phenomena, as well as understanding that the planet is a legacy. 

Links and themes:

Planet Earth, evolution, natural phenomena, dinosaurs, natural history, looking after the planet, timelines

Date written: May 2023