Ready Steady Read Together
The Last Firefox: 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?
I’m cut off by a piercing howl. It turns the air cold and makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end…
How might this extract link to the illustration?
Explore
From: The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery © 2022. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Today's Question(s)
A) How does the author create a sense of danger or suspense?
B) How is the cub magical or unusual?
Explore
Let me read today's text
Explore
He’s wearing a brown fur coat that rises and falls rapidly on his shoulders as he pants. He’s been running. He keeps glancing over his shoulder towards the ivy, as if he’s worried about being followed.
“Erm. Who are you?” I ask, clambering to my feet.
“Nobody,” he insists. He glances at the puppy in his arms, then looks me up and down. “Hmm. You’re a bit small, but you’ll have to do. Here, hold him.”
And, just like that, I have a puppy in my arms. It’s a chubby little thing, all big ears and cheese-puff-orange fur, which is strangely warm. It’s like hugging a hot-water bottle. And that’s when I realise – this puppy has a long, bushy tail and too-pointy ears. In fact, there’s something decidedly unpuppyish about it…
“It’s a fox!” I exclaim, holding it back out to Nobody. The cub dangles between us and lets out a little whine. “Hey, I don’t want it!”
Nobody stands up straight, his expression severe. “It’s a he. His name is Firetail. And don’t hold him like that. Keep him close to you.”
I stare dumbly down at the cub before clutching him to my chest so that his heart beats rapidly against mine. “Why is he called Firetail –”
From: The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery © 2022. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
I’m cut off by a piercing howl. It turns the air cold and makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end – and it’s coming from behind the ivy. Now that I’m looking closely, I can see fragments of darkness through the greenery. There’s no wall there at all. It’s a doorway.
The stranger’s eyes widen in fear. “You’re about to find out. Put him down. Hurry!”
I frown and lower the cub to the ground, and through the ivy the howling stops abruptly. The cub’s hackles rise, a growl rumbling in his belly. Then, unbelievably, his fur starts shimmering. He glows brighter and brighter, and I feel a prickle of heat on my skin. It’s almost like he’s on –
“Get back!” the boy shouts, shielding his face – but it’s too late. The cub erupts on the spot, an orb of angry fire bursting from his body. I leap back, the flames so bright that I barely look at them.
After a few seconds, I peer through my fingers. The flames have mostly died down, and there’s the cub, still standing in a ball of orange fire, completely unscathed and snarling at the ivy.
From: The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery © 2022. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Vocabulary
Explore
Hover for definitions!
clambering
hackles
severe
shimmering
prickle of heat
unscathed
Explore
From: The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery © 2022. 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
clambering
Explore
Find Read Talk
“Erm. Who are you?” I ask, clambering to my feet. “Nobody,” he insists. He glances at the puppy in his arms, then looks me up and down. “Hmm. You’re a bit small, but you’ll have to do. Here, hold him.”
Reveal Vocabulary
From: The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery © 2022. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
clambering
Your turn
severe
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
hackles
shimmering
prickle of heat
unscathed
Use your text
Explore
Vocabulary Check & Re-read
Explore
Reveal Vocabulary
He’s wearing a brown fur coat that rises and falls rapidly on his shoulders as he pants. He’s been running. He keeps glancing over his shoulder towards the ivy, as if he’s worried about being followed.
“Erm. Who are you?” I ask, clambering to my feet.
“Nobody,” he insists. He glances at the puppy in his arms, then looks me up and down. “Hmm. You’re a bit small, but you’ll have to do. Here, hold him.”
And, just like that, I have a puppy in my arms. It’s a chubby little thing, all big ears and cheese-puff-orange fur, which is strangely warm. It’s like hugging a hot-water bottle. And that’s when I realise – this puppy has a long, bushy tail and too-pointy ears. In fact, there’s something decidedly unpuppyish about it…
“It’s a fox!” I exclaim, holding it back out to Nobody. The cub dangles between us and lets out a little whine. “Hey, I don’t want it!”
Nobody stands up straight, his expression severe. “It’s a he. His name is Firetail. And don’t hold him like that. Keep him close to you.”
I stare dumbly down at the cub before clutching him to my chest so that his heart beats rapidly against mine. “Why is he called Firetail –”
Explore
From: The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery © 2022. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Reveal Vocabulary
I’m cut off by a piercing howl. It turns the air cold and makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end – and it’s coming from behind the ivy. Now that I’m looking closely, I can see fragments of darkness through the greenery. There’s no wall there at all. It’s a doorway.
The stranger’s eyes widen in fear. “You’re about to find out. Put him down. Hurry!”
I frown and lower the cub to the ground, and through the ivy the howling stops abruptly. The cub’s hackles rise, a growl rumbling in his belly. Then, unbelievably, his fur starts shimmering. He glows brighter and brighter, and I feel a prickle of heat on my skin. It’s almost like he’s on –
“Get back!” the boy shouts, shielding his face – but it’s too late. The cub erupts on the spot, an orb of angry fire bursting from his body. I leap back, the flames so bright that I barely look at them.
After a few seconds, I peer through my fingers. The flames have mostly died down, and there’s the cub, still standing in a ball of orange fire, completely unscathed and snarling at the ivy.
Explore
From: The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery © 2022. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Fluency
Explore
Let me use my reader's voice...
The cub’s hackles rise, a growl rumbling in his belly. Then, unbelievably, his fur starts shimmering. He glows brighter and brighter, and I feel a prickle of heat on my skin. It’s almost like he’s on – “Get back!” the boy shouts, shielding his face – but it’s too late. The cub erupts on the spot, an orb of angry fire bursting from his body.
What did you notice?
Explore
From: The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery © 2022. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
My Turn
Your Turn
Echo Read
The cub’s hackles rise, a growl rumbling in his belly.
Then, unbelievably, his fur starts shimmering.
He glows brighter and brighter, and I feel a prickle of heat on my skin.
It’s almost like he’s on –
“Get back!” the boy shouts, shielding his face –
but it’s too late.
The cub erupts on the spot, an orb of angry fire bursting from his body.
Explore
From: The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery © 2022. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Sound like a reader!
Stand up!
Choral Read
The cub’s hackles rise, a growl rumbling in his belly. Then, unbelievably, his fur starts shimmering. He glows brighter and brighter, and I feel a prickle of heat on my skin. It’s almost like he’s on – “Get back!” the boy shouts, shielding his face – but it’s too late. The cub erupts on the spot, an orb of angry fire bursting from his body.
Explore
From: The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery © 2022. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Strategy Focus
Explore
Strategy: Read Between the Lines
A) How does the author create a sense of danger or suspense?
Be a detective and look for clues!
Teach
Let me show you
Reveal Text Marks
He’s wearing a brown fur coat that rises and falls rapidly on his shoulders as he pants. He’s been running. He keeps glancing over his shoulder towards the ivy, as if he’s worried about being followed.
“Erm. Who are you?” I ask, clambering to my feet.
Reveal Explainer
The words ‘he’s been running’ show that he might be trying to escape something. The words ‘glancing over his shoulder’ and ‘worried about being followed’ creates suspense because the reader doesn’t know who or what was chasing him. The fact that he was panting hints that he was running quickly because he was in danger.
A) How does the author create a sense of danger or suspense?
Teach
From: The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery © 2022. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Strategy Stop
What else could you use to answer today's question(s)?
Teach
Your Turn
A) How does the author create a sense of danger or suspense?
B) How is the cub magical or unusual?
Find the answers
Text mark
Explore
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence who are you…nobody, he insists
secretive stranger
Text Mark Evidence - I’m cut off by a piercing howl - through the ivy the howling stops abruptly
frightening noises
A) How does the author create a sense of danger or suspense?
Text Mark Evidence - it turns the air cold and makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end – and it’s coming from behind the ivy - the stranger’s eyes widen in fear
characters’ fear
Text Mark Evidence piercing howl…it’s coming from behind the ivy
fear of the unknown
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Text Mark Evidence there’s no wall there at all…it’s a doorway
hidden doorway
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence - cheese-puff-orange fur, which is strangely warm - this puppy has a long, busy tail and too-pointy ears - unbelievably, his fur starts shimmering
unique fur or appearance
B) How is the cub magical or unusual?
Text Mark Evidence there’s something decidedly unpuppyish about it…it’s a fox
wild animal as a pet
Text Mark Evidence - he glows brighter and brighter, and I feel a prickle of heat on my skin - the cub erupts on the spot, an orb of angry fire bursting from his body - there’s the cub, still standing in a ball of orange fire
magical or fiery abilities
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Text Mark Evidence the cub, still standing in a ball of orange fire, completely unscathed
unharmed by fire
Practise & Apply
Quiz Time
Start
Picture Me
Which image is the best match for ‘shimmering’?
Tick Me
“Hmm. You’re a bit small, but you’ll have to do. Here, hold him.”
And, just like that, I have a puppy in my arms.
What does this suggest?
Tick one:
A The animal is too heavy for the boy to hold.
B The stranger’s arms are tired from carrying Firetail.
Check
C The stranger wishes the boy were bigger to keep the fox safe.
Click if correct
D The stranger doesn’t trust the boy with the animal.
Which One's Right?
The flames have mostly died down, and there’s the cub, still standing in a ball of orange fire, completely unscathed and snarling at the ivy.
The word ‘unscathed suggests that the fox was…
B frightened.
A flaming.
C shimmering.
D unharmed.
Link Me
Link each word with its correct definition:
A a tingling feeling
1 clambering
B fur which bristles in fear
2 severe
C serious or harsh
Check
3 hackles
Click if correct
D climbing or scrambling
4 prickle
Feedback: Who did what well?
FindRead Talk
EchoRead
ChoralRead
ReadingStrategy
Answers & Text Marks
Other...
To be a book lover, you could...
discover new worlds.
Reveal
Immerse yourself in imaginative settings and ideas.
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: The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery © 2022 Schools must purchase the original text for full content.
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Transcript
Ready Steady Read Together
The Last Firefox: 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?
I’m cut off by a piercing howl. It turns the air cold and makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end…
How might this extract link to the illustration?
Explore
From: The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery © 2022. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Today's Question(s)
A) How does the author create a sense of danger or suspense?
B) How is the cub magical or unusual?
Explore
Let me read today's text
Explore
He’s wearing a brown fur coat that rises and falls rapidly on his shoulders as he pants. He’s been running. He keeps glancing over his shoulder towards the ivy, as if he’s worried about being followed. “Erm. Who are you?” I ask, clambering to my feet. “Nobody,” he insists. He glances at the puppy in his arms, then looks me up and down. “Hmm. You’re a bit small, but you’ll have to do. Here, hold him.” And, just like that, I have a puppy in my arms. It’s a chubby little thing, all big ears and cheese-puff-orange fur, which is strangely warm. It’s like hugging a hot-water bottle. And that’s when I realise – this puppy has a long, bushy tail and too-pointy ears. In fact, there’s something decidedly unpuppyish about it… “It’s a fox!” I exclaim, holding it back out to Nobody. The cub dangles between us and lets out a little whine. “Hey, I don’t want it!” Nobody stands up straight, his expression severe. “It’s a he. His name is Firetail. And don’t hold him like that. Keep him close to you.” I stare dumbly down at the cub before clutching him to my chest so that his heart beats rapidly against mine. “Why is he called Firetail –”
From: The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery © 2022. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
I’m cut off by a piercing howl. It turns the air cold and makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end – and it’s coming from behind the ivy. Now that I’m looking closely, I can see fragments of darkness through the greenery. There’s no wall there at all. It’s a doorway. The stranger’s eyes widen in fear. “You’re about to find out. Put him down. Hurry!” I frown and lower the cub to the ground, and through the ivy the howling stops abruptly. The cub’s hackles rise, a growl rumbling in his belly. Then, unbelievably, his fur starts shimmering. He glows brighter and brighter, and I feel a prickle of heat on my skin. It’s almost like he’s on – “Get back!” the boy shouts, shielding his face – but it’s too late. The cub erupts on the spot, an orb of angry fire bursting from his body. I leap back, the flames so bright that I barely look at them. After a few seconds, I peer through my fingers. The flames have mostly died down, and there’s the cub, still standing in a ball of orange fire, completely unscathed and snarling at the ivy.
From: The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery © 2022. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Vocabulary
Explore
Hover for definitions!
clambering
hackles
severe
shimmering
prickle of heat
unscathed
Explore
From: The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery © 2022. 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
clambering
Explore
Find Read Talk
“Erm. Who are you?” I ask, clambering to my feet. “Nobody,” he insists. He glances at the puppy in his arms, then looks me up and down. “Hmm. You’re a bit small, but you’ll have to do. Here, hold him.”
Reveal Vocabulary
From: The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery © 2022. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
clambering
Your turn
severe
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
hackles
shimmering
prickle of heat
unscathed
Use your text
Explore
Vocabulary Check & Re-read
Explore
Reveal Vocabulary
He’s wearing a brown fur coat that rises and falls rapidly on his shoulders as he pants. He’s been running. He keeps glancing over his shoulder towards the ivy, as if he’s worried about being followed. “Erm. Who are you?” I ask, clambering to my feet. “Nobody,” he insists. He glances at the puppy in his arms, then looks me up and down. “Hmm. You’re a bit small, but you’ll have to do. Here, hold him.” And, just like that, I have a puppy in my arms. It’s a chubby little thing, all big ears and cheese-puff-orange fur, which is strangely warm. It’s like hugging a hot-water bottle. And that’s when I realise – this puppy has a long, bushy tail and too-pointy ears. In fact, there’s something decidedly unpuppyish about it… “It’s a fox!” I exclaim, holding it back out to Nobody. The cub dangles between us and lets out a little whine. “Hey, I don’t want it!” Nobody stands up straight, his expression severe. “It’s a he. His name is Firetail. And don’t hold him like that. Keep him close to you.” I stare dumbly down at the cub before clutching him to my chest so that his heart beats rapidly against mine. “Why is he called Firetail –”
Explore
From: The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery © 2022. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Reveal Vocabulary
I’m cut off by a piercing howl. It turns the air cold and makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end – and it’s coming from behind the ivy. Now that I’m looking closely, I can see fragments of darkness through the greenery. There’s no wall there at all. It’s a doorway. The stranger’s eyes widen in fear. “You’re about to find out. Put him down. Hurry!” I frown and lower the cub to the ground, and through the ivy the howling stops abruptly. The cub’s hackles rise, a growl rumbling in his belly. Then, unbelievably, his fur starts shimmering. He glows brighter and brighter, and I feel a prickle of heat on my skin. It’s almost like he’s on – “Get back!” the boy shouts, shielding his face – but it’s too late. The cub erupts on the spot, an orb of angry fire bursting from his body. I leap back, the flames so bright that I barely look at them. After a few seconds, I peer through my fingers. The flames have mostly died down, and there’s the cub, still standing in a ball of orange fire, completely unscathed and snarling at the ivy.
Explore
From: The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery © 2022. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Fluency
Explore
Let me use my reader's voice...
The cub’s hackles rise, a growl rumbling in his belly. Then, unbelievably, his fur starts shimmering. He glows brighter and brighter, and I feel a prickle of heat on my skin. It’s almost like he’s on – “Get back!” the boy shouts, shielding his face – but it’s too late. The cub erupts on the spot, an orb of angry fire bursting from his body.
What did you notice?
Explore
From: The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery © 2022. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
My Turn
Your Turn
Echo Read
The cub’s hackles rise, a growl rumbling in his belly.
Then, unbelievably, his fur starts shimmering.
He glows brighter and brighter, and I feel a prickle of heat on my skin.
It’s almost like he’s on –
“Get back!” the boy shouts, shielding his face – but it’s too late.
The cub erupts on the spot, an orb of angry fire bursting from his body.
Explore
From: The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery © 2022. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Sound like a reader!
Stand up!
Choral Read
The cub’s hackles rise, a growl rumbling in his belly. Then, unbelievably, his fur starts shimmering. He glows brighter and brighter, and I feel a prickle of heat on my skin. It’s almost like he’s on – “Get back!” the boy shouts, shielding his face – but it’s too late. The cub erupts on the spot, an orb of angry fire bursting from his body.
Explore
From: The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery © 2022. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Strategy Focus
Explore
Strategy: Read Between the Lines
A) How does the author create a sense of danger or suspense?
Be a detective and look for clues!
Teach
Let me show you
Reveal Text Marks
He’s wearing a brown fur coat that rises and falls rapidly on his shoulders as he pants. He’s been running. He keeps glancing over his shoulder towards the ivy, as if he’s worried about being followed. “Erm. Who are you?” I ask, clambering to my feet.
Reveal Explainer
The words ‘he’s been running’ show that he might be trying to escape something. The words ‘glancing over his shoulder’ and ‘worried about being followed’ creates suspense because the reader doesn’t know who or what was chasing him. The fact that he was panting hints that he was running quickly because he was in danger.
A) How does the author create a sense of danger or suspense?
Teach
From: The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery © 2022. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Strategy Stop
What else could you use to answer today's question(s)?
Teach
Your Turn
A) How does the author create a sense of danger or suspense?
B) How is the cub magical or unusual?
Find the answers
Text mark
Explore
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence who are you…nobody, he insists
secretive stranger
Text Mark Evidence - I’m cut off by a piercing howl - through the ivy the howling stops abruptly
frightening noises
A) How does the author create a sense of danger or suspense?
Text Mark Evidence - it turns the air cold and makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end – and it’s coming from behind the ivy - the stranger’s eyes widen in fear
characters’ fear
Text Mark Evidence piercing howl…it’s coming from behind the ivy
fear of the unknown
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Text Mark Evidence there’s no wall there at all…it’s a doorway
hidden doorway
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence - cheese-puff-orange fur, which is strangely warm - this puppy has a long, busy tail and too-pointy ears - unbelievably, his fur starts shimmering
unique fur or appearance
B) How is the cub magical or unusual?
Text Mark Evidence there’s something decidedly unpuppyish about it…it’s a fox
wild animal as a pet
Text Mark Evidence - he glows brighter and brighter, and I feel a prickle of heat on my skin - the cub erupts on the spot, an orb of angry fire bursting from his body - there’s the cub, still standing in a ball of orange fire
magical or fiery abilities
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Text Mark Evidence the cub, still standing in a ball of orange fire, completely unscathed
unharmed by fire
Practise & Apply
Quiz Time
Start
Picture Me
Which image is the best match for ‘shimmering’?
Tick Me
“Hmm. You’re a bit small, but you’ll have to do. Here, hold him.” And, just like that, I have a puppy in my arms.
What does this suggest?
Tick one:
A The animal is too heavy for the boy to hold.
B The stranger’s arms are tired from carrying Firetail.
Check
C The stranger wishes the boy were bigger to keep the fox safe.
Click if correct
D The stranger doesn’t trust the boy with the animal.
Which One's Right?
The flames have mostly died down, and there’s the cub, still standing in a ball of orange fire, completely unscathed and snarling at the ivy.
The word ‘unscathed suggests that the fox was…
B frightened.
A flaming.
C shimmering.
D unharmed.
Link Me
Link each word with its correct definition:
A a tingling feeling
1 clambering
B fur which bristles in fear
2 severe
C serious or harsh
Check
3 hackles
Click if correct
D climbing or scrambling
4 prickle
Feedback: Who did what well?
FindRead Talk
EchoRead
ChoralRead
ReadingStrategy
Answers & Text Marks
Other...
To be a book lover, you could...
discover new worlds.
Reveal
Immerse yourself in imaginative settings and ideas.
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: The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery © 2022 Schools must purchase the original text for full content.