Ready Steady Read Together
Stories from Around the World: Fiction Lesson 2
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?
Her father’s name was on the list – Hua. The notice declared that war was imminent and soldiers were needed, so no family could be spared.
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)
Is the strongest theme in this extract loyalty or bravery?
Explore
Let me read today's text
Explore
“No! It can’t be true!” she gasped.
Her father’s name was on the list – Hua. The notice declared that war was imminent and soldiers were needed, so no family could be spared. Mulan felt ill. Her father had been sick since winter. There was no way he could go to war. Her heart throbbed as she thought of what going to fight would do to him.
“What’s the matter?” asked her little brother. He did not understand why his usually brave big sister was crying.
“Father has been summoned to fight for the Emperor and the men must leave for camp in two days!” Mulan knew her father would not be better by then.
“But he’s ill in bed,” said her brother. “He can’t fight.”
“I know. Now shhhh. I need to think of what I can do to help him,” Mulan replied. Her mind reeled – if he went, her father would be killed instantly by the enemy, as he was too weak to even lift a sword. Her brother was far too young, and they had no other sons that would take their father’s place. But if no one went from their family, then the Emperor’s men would come to the house and the family would all be punished.
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
At dawn the next day, whilst her family slept peacefully, Mulan wound her hair into a tight knot. She placed her father’s armour over her body and padded it. Then she packed her meagre belongings on to the horse and sighed. Her heart was breaking at the thought that she might never see her family again. But she knew what she was doing was the only way to save them from the Emperor’s wrath. Determined but with sadness in her heart, Mulan turned away and set off on her new adventure. Into the night, she rode. Mulan’s pulse quickened with fear as she arrived at the soldier’s camp. She stood last in the long line, hoping that everyone would see just another soldier, not a young girl who had run away from home. “Next!” shouted the officer taking the register. “Hua,” she replied. “Put your mark here,” he asked. Mulan’s fingers trembled. She took a deep breath and then made the mark of her family name. The deed was done. To all who met her, she was now her father, and a member of the Emperor’s army.
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Vocabulary
Explore
Hover for definitions!
imminent
summoned
reeled
meagre
wrath
deed
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
imminent
Explore
Find Read Talk
“No! It can’t be true!” she gasped.
Her father’s name was on the list – Hua. The notice declared that war was imminent and soldiers were needed, so no family could be spared. Mulan felt ill.
Reveal Vocabulary
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
imminent
Your turn
summoned
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
throbbed
meagre
wrath
deed
Use your text
Explore
Vocabulary Check & Re-read
Explore
Reveal Vocabulary
“No! It can’t be true!” she gasped. Her father’s name was on the list – Hua. The notice declared that war was imminent and soldiers were needed, so no family could be spared. Mulan felt ill. Her father had been sick since winter. There was no way he could go to war. Her heart throbbed as she thought of what going to fight would do to him. “What’s the matter?” asked her little brother. He did not understand why his usually brave big sister was crying. “Father has been summoned to fight for the Emperor and the men must leave for camp in two days!” Mulan knew her father would not be better by then. “But he’s ill in bed,” said her brother. “He can’t fight.” “I know. Now shhhh. I need to think of what I can do to help him,” Mulan replied. Her mind reeled – if he went, her father would be killed instantly by the enemy, as he was too weak to even lift a sword. Her brother was far too young, and they had no other sons that would take their father’s place. But if no one went from their family, then the Emperor’s men would come to the house and the family would all be punished.
Explore
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Reveal Vocabulary
At dawn the next day, whilst her family slept peacefully, Mulan wound her hair into a tight knot. She placed her father’s armour over her body and padded it. Then she packed her meagre belongings on to the horse and sighed. Her heart was breaking at the thought that she might never see her family again. But she knew what she was doing was the only way to save them from the Emperor’s wrath. Determined but with sadness in her heart, Mulan turned away and set off on her new adventure. Into the night, she rode. Mulan’s pulse quickened with fear as she arrived at the soldier’s camp. She stood last in the long line, hoping that everyone would see just another soldier, not a young girl who had run away from home. “Next!” shouted the officer taking the register. “Hua,” she replied. “Put your mark here,” he asked. Mulan’s fingers trembled. She took a deep breath and then made the mark of her family name. The deed was done. To all who met her, she was now her father, and a member of the Emperor’s army.
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...
“Next!” shouted the officer taking the register.
“Hua,” she replied.
“Put your mark here,” he asked.
Mulan’s fingers trembled. She took a deep breath and then made the mark of her family name. The deed was done. To all who met her, she was now her father, and a member of the Emperor’s army.
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
“Next!” shouted the officer taking the register.
“Hua,” she replied.
“Put your mark here,” he asked.
Mulan’s fingers trembled.
She took a deep breath and then made the mark of her family name.
The deed was done.
To all who met her, she was now her father, and a member of the Emperor’s army.
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
“Next!” shouted the officer taking the register.
“Hua,” she replied.
“Put your mark here,” he asked.
Mulan’s fingers trembled. She took a deep breath and then made the mark of her family name. The deed was done. To all who met her, she was now her father, and a member of the Emperor’s army.
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
Is the strongest theme in this extract loyalty or bravery?
What’s the main idea in the text?
Teach
Let me show you
Reveal Text Marks
The notice declared that war was imminent and soldiers were needed, so no family could be spared. Mulan felt ill. Her father had been sick since winter. There was no way he could go to war. Her heart throbbed as she thought of what going to fight would do to him.
Is the strongest theme in this extract loyalty or bravery?
Reveal Explainer
Mulan is showing loyalty to her family. Mulan is worried about her father and his chances of surviving a war.
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
Is the strongest extract in this section loyalty or bravery?
Find the answers
Text mark
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence I need to think of what I can do to help him (her father)
worried for her family and determined to help
The strongest theme in this extract is loyalty because...
Text Mark Evidence - her heart was breaking at the thought that she might never see her family again - determined but with sadness in her heart, Mulan...set off on her new adventure
leaves even though she doesn’t want to
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Text Mark Evidence (going in her father’s place) was the only way to save them (her family) from the Emperor’s wrath
sacrificing herself to save them
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence placed her father’s armour over her body and padded it (because it was too large)
the armour doesn’t fit her/might not protect her
The strongest theme in this extract is bravery because...
Text Mark Evidence determined but with sadness in her heart, Mulan turned away
leaves even though it is hard
Text Mark Evidence - Mulan's pulse quickened with fear - Mulan’s fingers trembled - she took a deep breath
goes into the camp even though she is afraid
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Quiz Time
Start
Picture Me
Which picture is the best match for the word 'wrath'?
Which One's Right?
The deed was done.
Deed means an action which was done...
A as a dare
B on purpose
D by accident
C on trick
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Sequence Me
Put these events in the correct order:
A Mulan dressed in her father's armour.
B Mulan signed her father's name and became a soldier.
C Mulan arrived at the soldier's camp.
D Mulan saw her father's name on the notice.
Check
Click if correct
Link Me
Link each word with its correct definition:
A very strong anger
1 summoned
B ordered someone to come
2 imminent
C very small in amount or not enough
Check
3 meagre
Click if correct
D about to happen very soon
4 wrath
Feedback: Who did what well?
FindRead Talk
EchoRead
ChoralRead
ReadingStrategy
Answers & Text Marks
Other...
To be a book lover, you could...
create a reading nook.
Reveal
Set up a cozy space for reading with pillows and good lighting.
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.
RSRT Y4 L2 Stories from Around the World
Literacy Counts
Created on February 5, 2025
Start designing with a free template
Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:
View
Urban Illustrated Presentation
View
3D Corporate Reporting
View
Discover Your AI Assistant
View
Vision Board
View
SWOT Challenge: Classify Key Factors
View
Explainer Video: Keys to Effective Communication
View
Explainer Video: AI for Companies
Explore all templates
Transcript
Ready Steady Read Together
Stories from Around the World: Fiction Lesson 2
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?
Her father’s name was on the list – Hua. The notice declared that war was imminent and soldiers were needed, so no family could be spared.
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)
Is the strongest theme in this extract loyalty or bravery?
Explore
Let me read today's text
Explore
“No! It can’t be true!” she gasped. Her father’s name was on the list – Hua. The notice declared that war was imminent and soldiers were needed, so no family could be spared. Mulan felt ill. Her father had been sick since winter. There was no way he could go to war. Her heart throbbed as she thought of what going to fight would do to him. “What’s the matter?” asked her little brother. He did not understand why his usually brave big sister was crying. “Father has been summoned to fight for the Emperor and the men must leave for camp in two days!” Mulan knew her father would not be better by then. “But he’s ill in bed,” said her brother. “He can’t fight.” “I know. Now shhhh. I need to think of what I can do to help him,” Mulan replied. Her mind reeled – if he went, her father would be killed instantly by the enemy, as he was too weak to even lift a sword. Her brother was far too young, and they had no other sons that would take their father’s place. But if no one went from their family, then the Emperor’s men would come to the house and the family would all be punished.
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
At dawn the next day, whilst her family slept peacefully, Mulan wound her hair into a tight knot. She placed her father’s armour over her body and padded it. Then she packed her meagre belongings on to the horse and sighed. Her heart was breaking at the thought that she might never see her family again. But she knew what she was doing was the only way to save them from the Emperor’s wrath. Determined but with sadness in her heart, Mulan turned away and set off on her new adventure. Into the night, she rode. Mulan’s pulse quickened with fear as she arrived at the soldier’s camp. She stood last in the long line, hoping that everyone would see just another soldier, not a young girl who had run away from home. “Next!” shouted the officer taking the register. “Hua,” she replied. “Put your mark here,” he asked. Mulan’s fingers trembled. She took a deep breath and then made the mark of her family name. The deed was done. To all who met her, she was now her father, and a member of the Emperor’s army.
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Vocabulary
Explore
Hover for definitions!
imminent
summoned
reeled
meagre
wrath
deed
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
imminent
Explore
Find Read Talk
“No! It can’t be true!” she gasped. Her father’s name was on the list – Hua. The notice declared that war was imminent and soldiers were needed, so no family could be spared. Mulan felt ill.
Reveal Vocabulary
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
imminent
Your turn
summoned
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
throbbed
meagre
wrath
deed
Use your text
Explore
Vocabulary Check & Re-read
Explore
Reveal Vocabulary
“No! It can’t be true!” she gasped. Her father’s name was on the list – Hua. The notice declared that war was imminent and soldiers were needed, so no family could be spared. Mulan felt ill. Her father had been sick since winter. There was no way he could go to war. Her heart throbbed as she thought of what going to fight would do to him. “What’s the matter?” asked her little brother. He did not understand why his usually brave big sister was crying. “Father has been summoned to fight for the Emperor and the men must leave for camp in two days!” Mulan knew her father would not be better by then. “But he’s ill in bed,” said her brother. “He can’t fight.” “I know. Now shhhh. I need to think of what I can do to help him,” Mulan replied. Her mind reeled – if he went, her father would be killed instantly by the enemy, as he was too weak to even lift a sword. Her brother was far too young, and they had no other sons that would take their father’s place. But if no one went from their family, then the Emperor’s men would come to the house and the family would all be punished.
Explore
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Reveal Vocabulary
At dawn the next day, whilst her family slept peacefully, Mulan wound her hair into a tight knot. She placed her father’s armour over her body and padded it. Then she packed her meagre belongings on to the horse and sighed. Her heart was breaking at the thought that she might never see her family again. But she knew what she was doing was the only way to save them from the Emperor’s wrath. Determined but with sadness in her heart, Mulan turned away and set off on her new adventure. Into the night, she rode. Mulan’s pulse quickened with fear as she arrived at the soldier’s camp. She stood last in the long line, hoping that everyone would see just another soldier, not a young girl who had run away from home. “Next!” shouted the officer taking the register. “Hua,” she replied. “Put your mark here,” he asked. Mulan’s fingers trembled. She took a deep breath and then made the mark of her family name. The deed was done. To all who met her, she was now her father, and a member of the Emperor’s army.
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...
“Next!” shouted the officer taking the register. “Hua,” she replied. “Put your mark here,” he asked. Mulan’s fingers trembled. She took a deep breath and then made the mark of her family name. The deed was done. To all who met her, she was now her father, and a member of the Emperor’s army.
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
“Next!” shouted the officer taking the register.
“Hua,” she replied.
“Put your mark here,” he asked.
Mulan’s fingers trembled.
She took a deep breath and then made the mark of her family name.
The deed was done.
To all who met her, she was now her father, and a member of the Emperor’s army.
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
“Next!” shouted the officer taking the register. “Hua,” she replied. “Put your mark here,” he asked. Mulan’s fingers trembled. She took a deep breath and then made the mark of her family name. The deed was done. To all who met her, she was now her father, and a member of the Emperor’s army.
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
Is the strongest theme in this extract loyalty or bravery?
What’s the main idea in the text?
Teach
Let me show you
Reveal Text Marks
The notice declared that war was imminent and soldiers were needed, so no family could be spared. Mulan felt ill. Her father had been sick since winter. There was no way he could go to war. Her heart throbbed as she thought of what going to fight would do to him.
Is the strongest theme in this extract loyalty or bravery?
Reveal Explainer
Mulan is showing loyalty to her family. Mulan is worried about her father and his chances of surviving a war.
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
Is the strongest extract in this section loyalty or bravery?
Find the answers
Text mark
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence I need to think of what I can do to help him (her father)
worried for her family and determined to help
The strongest theme in this extract is loyalty because...
Text Mark Evidence - her heart was breaking at the thought that she might never see her family again - determined but with sadness in her heart, Mulan...set off on her new adventure
leaves even though she doesn’t want to
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Text Mark Evidence (going in her father’s place) was the only way to save them (her family) from the Emperor’s wrath
sacrificing herself to save them
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence placed her father’s armour over her body and padded it (because it was too large)
the armour doesn’t fit her/might not protect her
The strongest theme in this extract is bravery because...
Text Mark Evidence determined but with sadness in her heart, Mulan turned away
leaves even though it is hard
Text Mark Evidence - Mulan's pulse quickened with fear - Mulan’s fingers trembled - she took a deep breath
goes into the camp even though she is afraid
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Quiz Time
Start
Picture Me
Which picture is the best match for the word 'wrath'?
Which One's Right?
The deed was done. Deed means an action which was done...
A as a dare
B on purpose
D by accident
C on trick
From: Stories from Around the World by Maisie Chan © 2020. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Sequence Me
Put these events in the correct order:
A Mulan dressed in her father's armour.
B Mulan signed her father's name and became a soldier.
C Mulan arrived at the soldier's camp.
D Mulan saw her father's name on the notice.
Check
Click if correct
Link Me
Link each word with its correct definition:
A very strong anger
1 summoned
B ordered someone to come
2 imminent
C very small in amount or not enough
Check
3 meagre
Click if correct
D about to happen very soon
4 wrath
Feedback: Who did what well?
FindRead Talk
EchoRead
ChoralRead
ReadingStrategy
Answers & Text Marks
Other...
To be a book lover, you could...
create a reading nook.
Reveal
Set up a cozy space for reading with pillows and good lighting.
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.