KS: Upper KS2
Year Group: Year 5
Literary Theme: Mystery & Truth
Author(s): Tom Angleberger
This is a three-session spelling seed for the book The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger. Below is the coverage from Appendix 1 of the National Curriculum 2014.
Spelling Seeds have been designed to complement Writing Roots by providing weekly, contextualised sequences of sessions for the teaching of spelling that include open-ended investigations and opportunities to practise and apply within meaningful and purposeful contexts, linked (where relevant) to other areas of the curriculum and a suggestion of how to extend the investigation into home learning.
There is a Spelling Seed session for every week of the associated Writing Root.
especially, exaggerate, immediate(ly), marvellous, occur
Words with the /i:/ sound spelt ei after c
Words with ‘silent’ letters (i.e. letters whose presence cannot be predicted from the pronunciation of the word)
A Writing Root is available for The Strange Case of Origami Yoda.
Instructions, persuasion, recount (diary entry)
Discussion text
15 sessions, 3 weeks
This is a three-week Writing Root for The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger which begins when the class receives an envelope through the post containing only an Origami Yoda model and a message that simply reads: “The future, how much we can predict?” The children will go on to make predictions about what or who they think the origami creature is, before revealing its origins. They will discuss in more length events that they have been able to predict in their own lives, as well as the things they have had no control over and have been surprised by. There will be an opportunity to explore the history and meaning of origami and as a simple written outcome, children will write a short set of instructions for How to Make an Origami Yoda. Subsequently they write a discussion text to answer the question of whether we can predict the future, using the case notes from the book as evidence. As the text progresses, children will also explore the form of diary writing, write their own diary-entries from the point of view of Dwight, whose story is less-explored in the book. The final extended outcome will culminate in a longer discussion text, using the initial question posed by Yoda, which will be written up as a case for Tommy and put in a book to present to him to draw a final conclusion. There will be opportunities for embedded grammar work throughout.
Tommy and his classmates narrate this middle grade mystery, each recounting an episode in which they received wise advice from a finger puppet of Yoda, perpetually worn on the finger of their classmate, Dwight, a loser who can't get anything right. Is this puppet really Yoda? Or is Dwight a bit more together than he seems?
The presentation of this novella (including speech bubbles, hand-written notes, doodles and child-friendly language) will engage reluctant readers and appeal to those with a preference for first-person diary style narratives. Links can be made with the PSHE curriculum as friendships and relationships are explored and there is also the chance to consider the same events from different perspectives, increasing children’s appreciation for the experiences of others. The book is part of a series so children can choose to continue their journey beyond their studies of this text.
Future, friendships, relationships, experiences of others, perspectives
Date written: July 2012
View The Strange Case of Origami Yoda Writing Root
KS: Upper KS2
Year Group: Year 5
KS: Lower KS2, R & KS1, Upper KS2
Year Group: Reception, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6
