Ready Steady Read Together
Stories from Around the World: Fiction Lesson 1
What do you think you know?
What?
Who?
Why?
Where?
How?
When?
Book Talk: Let's explore this illustration.
Explore
What do you know and think?
Like those flowers, Mulan grew into a fine young woman.
How might this extract link to the illustration?
Explore
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Today's Question(s)
How do you know that the theme of this story is about 'being different'?
Explore
Let me read today's text
Explore
Once upon a time in China, a baby girl was born. Her father called her Mulan after the beautiful orchids that blossomed around their home. Like those flowers, Mulan grew into a fine young woman. She was strong and quick-witted, with beautiful long hair the colour of ebony. Her mother taught her many useful skills that girls were supposed to know back then, like sewing by hand and weaving on the loom, but Mulan was bored. She wanted to be outside in the fresh air, training in martial arts - just as her father had done. She secretly wished he would teach her how to fight and how to use a sword. She couldn’t understand why everybody said that combat was just for boys. However, she never told anyone about this, as she didn’t want to upset her mother, who wanted her to be the perfect lady.
One day Mulan couldn’t keep quiet any longer and begged her father, “Please train me so that I might have adventures like you. I don’t want to stay home and sew!”
“I’m afraid your mother will never agree to it,” was his reply
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
“But father, just because I am a girl, that does not mean I should only be able to do things girls are supposed to do. Why, I am as strong as Liao who lives down by the stream. He is older than me but I can lift him over my head.” “Mulan, I know you are eager. And yes, you are very strong. But usually it is the son of the family who learns martial arts.”
“It’s not fair,” said Mulan, sulking, her unfinished sewing hanging with loose threads. Her glum face could not be ignored, and Mulan’s mother noticed how sad she looked every time she sat down with the needle and thread or at the loom. Eventually, her mother agreed with a smile.
“If you are going to huff and puff around the house so much then I will let your father train you. It will be good exercise. BUT only as long as you help with other chores around the house.”
“Oh, mother, thank you so much! Whatever you want me to do, just ask!” Mulan could not contain her glee. Now she would show the village boys that she was every bit as good as they were.
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Vocabulary
Explore
Hover for definitions!
orchids
ebony
quick-witted
weaving on the loom
martial arts
combat
Explore
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
I will model the first.
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
orchids
Explore
Find Read Talk
Once upon a time in China, a baby girl was born. Her father called her Mulan after the beautiful orchids that blossomed around their home. Like those flowers, Mulan grew into a fine young woman.
Reveal Vocabulary
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
orchids
Your turn
quick-witted
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
ebony
weaving on the loom
martial arts
combat
Use your text
Explore
Vocabulary Check & Re-read
Explore
Reveal Vocabulary
Once upon a time in China, a baby girl was born. Her father called her Mulan after the beautiful orchids that blossomed around their home. Like those flowers, Mulan grew into a fine young woman. She was strong and quick-witted, with beautiful long hair the colour of ebony. Her mother taught her many useful skills that girls were supposed to know back then, like sewing by hand and weaving on the loom, but Mulan was bored. She wanted to be outside in the fresh air, training in martial arts - just as her father had done. She secretly wished he would teach her how to fight and how to use a sword. She couldn’t understand why everybody said that combat was just for boys. However, she never told anyone about this, as she didn’t want to upset her mother, who wanted her to be the perfect lady.
One day Mulan couldn’t keep quiet any longer and begged her father, “Please train me so that I might have adventures like you. I don’t want to stay home and sew!”
“I’m afraid your mother will never agree to it,” was his reply.
Explore
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Reveal Vocabulary
“But father, just because I am a girl, that does not mean I should only be able to do things girls are supposed to do. Why, I am as strong as Liao who lives down by the stream. He is older than me but I can lift him over my head.”
“Mulan, I know you are eager. And yes, you are very strong. But usually it is the son of the family who learns martial arts.”
“It’s not fair,” said Mulan, sulking, her unfinished sewing hanging with loose threads. Her glum face could not be ignored, and Mulan’s mother noticed how sad she looked every time she sat down with the needle and thread or at the loom. Eventually, her mother agreed with a smile.
“If you are going to huff and puff around the house so much then I will let your father train you. It will be good exercise. BUT only as long as you help with other chores around the house.”
“Oh, mother, thank you so much! Whatever you want me to do, just ask!” Mulan could not contain her glee. Now she would show the village boys that she was every bit as good as they were.
Explore
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Fluency
Explore
Let me use my reader's voice...
She wanted to be outside in the fresh air, training in martial arts- just as her father had done. She secretly wished he would teach her how to fight and how to use a sword. She couldn’t understand why everybody said combat was just for boys.
What did you notice?
Explore
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
My Turn
Your Turn
Echo Read
She wanted to be outside in the fresh air,
training in martial arts- just as her father had done.
She secretly wished he would teach her how to fight and how to use a sword.
She couldn’t understand why everybody said combat was just for boys.
Explore
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Sound like a reader!
Stand up!
Choral Read
She wanted to be outside in the fresh air, training in martial arts- just as her father had done. She secretly wished he would teach her how to fight and how to use a sword. She couldn’t understand why everybody said combat was just for boys.
Explore
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Strategy Focus
Explore
Strategy: Main Point
How do you know that the theme of this story is about 'being different'?
What's the main idea of the text?
Teach
Let me show you
Reveal Text Marks
She was strong and quick-witted, with beautiful long hair the colour of ebony. Her mother taught her many useful skills that girls were supposed to know back then, like sewing and weaving, but Mulan was bored.
How do you know that the theme of this story is about 'being different'?
Mulan clearly doesn't enjoy the things that most girls are expected to. In fact, she is bored.
Reveal Explainer
Teach
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Strategy Stop
What else could you use to answer today's question(s)?
Teach
Your Turn
How do you know that the theme of this story is about 'being different'?
Find the answers
Text mark
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence I don’t want to stay home and sew! (like most other girls)
goes against what is expected
How do you know that the theme of this story is about 'being different'?
Text Mark Evidence - wanted to be outside in the fresh air, training in martial arts - secretly wished he would teach her how to fight and how to use a sword - couldn’t understand why everybody said that combat was just for boys
wants to fight like the boys in this story
Go to the next slide for more....
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence - I am as strong as Liao - he is older than me but I can lift him over my head
thinks she is stronger than other girls
How do you know that the theme of this story is about 'being different'?
Text Mark Evidence - couldn't understand why everybody said that combat was just for boys - just because I am a girl, that does not mean I should only be able to do things girls are supposed to do - usually it is the son of the family who learns martial arts...it’s not fair
feels that girls are treated unfairly
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Quiz Time
Start
Picture Me
Which picture is the best match for the word 'ebony'?
True or False?
Mulan didn't like sewing and weaving because she struggled to do it.
True
False
Fill the Gaps
blossomed
quick-witted
orchids
Her father called her Mulan after the beautiful that around their home. Like those flowers, Mulan grew into a fine young woman. She was strong and , with beautiful long hair the colour of ebony.
Discuss then check
Click if correct
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Tick Me
Which is the best definition for 'combat'?
Tick one
A a fight or battle
B a competition or race
Check
C a fun game
Click if correct
D weaving and sewing
Feedback: Who did what well?
FindRead Talk
EchoRead
ChoralRead
ReadingStrategy
Answers & Text Marks
Other...
To be a book lover, you could...
turn the story into art.
Reveal
Draw scenes or characters from the book.
Copyright Notice
This document has been supplied under a CLA Licence with specific terms of use. It is protected by copyright and, save as may be permitted by law, it may not be further copied, stored, re-copied electronically or otherwise shared, even for internal purposes, without the prior further permission of the Rightsholder. Extracts sourced from: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020 Schools must purchase the original text for full content.
blossomed
orchids
quick-witted
RSRT Y4 L1 Stories from Around the World
Literacy Counts
Created on February 5, 2025
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Transcript
Ready Steady Read Together
Stories from Around the World: Fiction Lesson 1
What do you think you know?
What?
Who?
Why?
Where?
How?
When?
Book Talk: Let's explore this illustration.
Explore
What do you know and think?
Like those flowers, Mulan grew into a fine young woman.
How might this extract link to the illustration?
Explore
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Today's Question(s)
How do you know that the theme of this story is about 'being different'?
Explore
Let me read today's text
Explore
Once upon a time in China, a baby girl was born. Her father called her Mulan after the beautiful orchids that blossomed around their home. Like those flowers, Mulan grew into a fine young woman. She was strong and quick-witted, with beautiful long hair the colour of ebony. Her mother taught her many useful skills that girls were supposed to know back then, like sewing by hand and weaving on the loom, but Mulan was bored. She wanted to be outside in the fresh air, training in martial arts - just as her father had done. She secretly wished he would teach her how to fight and how to use a sword. She couldn’t understand why everybody said that combat was just for boys. However, she never told anyone about this, as she didn’t want to upset her mother, who wanted her to be the perfect lady. One day Mulan couldn’t keep quiet any longer and begged her father, “Please train me so that I might have adventures like you. I don’t want to stay home and sew!” “I’m afraid your mother will never agree to it,” was his reply
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
“But father, just because I am a girl, that does not mean I should only be able to do things girls are supposed to do. Why, I am as strong as Liao who lives down by the stream. He is older than me but I can lift him over my head.” “Mulan, I know you are eager. And yes, you are very strong. But usually it is the son of the family who learns martial arts.” “It’s not fair,” said Mulan, sulking, her unfinished sewing hanging with loose threads. Her glum face could not be ignored, and Mulan’s mother noticed how sad she looked every time she sat down with the needle and thread or at the loom. Eventually, her mother agreed with a smile. “If you are going to huff and puff around the house so much then I will let your father train you. It will be good exercise. BUT only as long as you help with other chores around the house.” “Oh, mother, thank you so much! Whatever you want me to do, just ask!” Mulan could not contain her glee. Now she would show the village boys that she was every bit as good as they were.
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Vocabulary
Explore
Hover for definitions!
orchids
ebony
quick-witted
weaving on the loom
martial arts
combat
Explore
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
I will model the first.
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
orchids
Explore
Find Read Talk
Once upon a time in China, a baby girl was born. Her father called her Mulan after the beautiful orchids that blossomed around their home. Like those flowers, Mulan grew into a fine young woman.
Reveal Vocabulary
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
orchids
Your turn
quick-witted
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
ebony
weaving on the loom
martial arts
combat
Use your text
Explore
Vocabulary Check & Re-read
Explore
Reveal Vocabulary
Once upon a time in China, a baby girl was born. Her father called her Mulan after the beautiful orchids that blossomed around their home. Like those flowers, Mulan grew into a fine young woman. She was strong and quick-witted, with beautiful long hair the colour of ebony. Her mother taught her many useful skills that girls were supposed to know back then, like sewing by hand and weaving on the loom, but Mulan was bored. She wanted to be outside in the fresh air, training in martial arts - just as her father had done. She secretly wished he would teach her how to fight and how to use a sword. She couldn’t understand why everybody said that combat was just for boys. However, she never told anyone about this, as she didn’t want to upset her mother, who wanted her to be the perfect lady. One day Mulan couldn’t keep quiet any longer and begged her father, “Please train me so that I might have adventures like you. I don’t want to stay home and sew!” “I’m afraid your mother will never agree to it,” was his reply.
Explore
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Reveal Vocabulary
“But father, just because I am a girl, that does not mean I should only be able to do things girls are supposed to do. Why, I am as strong as Liao who lives down by the stream. He is older than me but I can lift him over my head.” “Mulan, I know you are eager. And yes, you are very strong. But usually it is the son of the family who learns martial arts.” “It’s not fair,” said Mulan, sulking, her unfinished sewing hanging with loose threads. Her glum face could not be ignored, and Mulan’s mother noticed how sad she looked every time she sat down with the needle and thread or at the loom. Eventually, her mother agreed with a smile. “If you are going to huff and puff around the house so much then I will let your father train you. It will be good exercise. BUT only as long as you help with other chores around the house.” “Oh, mother, thank you so much! Whatever you want me to do, just ask!” Mulan could not contain her glee. Now she would show the village boys that she was every bit as good as they were.
Explore
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Fluency
Explore
Let me use my reader's voice...
She wanted to be outside in the fresh air, training in martial arts- just as her father had done. She secretly wished he would teach her how to fight and how to use a sword. She couldn’t understand why everybody said combat was just for boys.
What did you notice?
Explore
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
My Turn
Your Turn
Echo Read
She wanted to be outside in the fresh air,
training in martial arts- just as her father had done.
She secretly wished he would teach her how to fight and how to use a sword.
She couldn’t understand why everybody said combat was just for boys.
Explore
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Sound like a reader!
Stand up!
Choral Read
She wanted to be outside in the fresh air, training in martial arts- just as her father had done. She secretly wished he would teach her how to fight and how to use a sword. She couldn’t understand why everybody said combat was just for boys.
Explore
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Strategy Focus
Explore
Strategy: Main Point
How do you know that the theme of this story is about 'being different'?
What's the main idea of the text?
Teach
Let me show you
Reveal Text Marks
She was strong and quick-witted, with beautiful long hair the colour of ebony. Her mother taught her many useful skills that girls were supposed to know back then, like sewing and weaving, but Mulan was bored.
How do you know that the theme of this story is about 'being different'?
Mulan clearly doesn't enjoy the things that most girls are expected to. In fact, she is bored.
Reveal Explainer
Teach
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Strategy Stop
What else could you use to answer today's question(s)?
Teach
Your Turn
How do you know that the theme of this story is about 'being different'?
Find the answers
Text mark
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence I don’t want to stay home and sew! (like most other girls)
goes against what is expected
How do you know that the theme of this story is about 'being different'?
Text Mark Evidence - wanted to be outside in the fresh air, training in martial arts - secretly wished he would teach her how to fight and how to use a sword - couldn’t understand why everybody said that combat was just for boys
wants to fight like the boys in this story
Go to the next slide for more....
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence - I am as strong as Liao - he is older than me but I can lift him over my head
thinks she is stronger than other girls
How do you know that the theme of this story is about 'being different'?
Text Mark Evidence - couldn't understand why everybody said that combat was just for boys - just because I am a girl, that does not mean I should only be able to do things girls are supposed to do - usually it is the son of the family who learns martial arts...it’s not fair
feels that girls are treated unfairly
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Quiz Time
Start
Picture Me
Which picture is the best match for the word 'ebony'?
True or False?
Mulan didn't like sewing and weaving because she struggled to do it.
True
False
Fill the Gaps
blossomed
quick-witted
orchids
Her father called her Mulan after the beautiful that around their home. Like those flowers, Mulan grew into a fine young woman. She was strong and , with beautiful long hair the colour of ebony.
Discuss then check
Click if correct
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Tick Me
Which is the best definition for 'combat'?
Tick one
A a fight or battle
B a competition or race
Check
C a fun game
Click if correct
D weaving and sewing
Feedback: Who did what well?
FindRead Talk
EchoRead
ChoralRead
ReadingStrategy
Answers & Text Marks
Other...
To be a book lover, you could...
turn the story into art.
Reveal
Draw scenes or characters from the book.
Copyright Notice
This document has been supplied under a CLA Licence with specific terms of use. It is protected by copyright and, save as may be permitted by law, it may not be further copied, stored, re-copied electronically or otherwise shared, even for internal purposes, without the prior further permission of the Rightsholder. Extracts sourced from: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020 Schools must purchase the original text for full content.
blossomed
orchids
quick-witted