Ready Steady Read Together
The Place for Me: Non-Fiction Lesson 3
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?
Where is the sun? I miss the lilies and orchids, swinging palms and the whispers of the sugar cane waving in the breeze…
How might this extract link to the illustration?
From: The Place for Me: Stories about the Windrush Generation by Various Authors © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Today's Question(s)
A) How does Gloria feel about the weather and the gloomy atmosphere in England?
B) How has Gloria experienced racism since her arrival in England?
C) How does Gloria try to stay positive and look for the good things in life?
Explore
Let me read today's text
Explore
A LETTER HOME
NOVEMBER, 1958
E.L. NORRY – Part Two
The weather itself seems against us though. How it messes with my hair; oh Lord! Wind, sleet, rain – not rain like we know: warm, and soon dried up, sizzling on the concrete, but bitter, little needles of spite, driving themselves into my skin. Where is the sun? I miss the lilies and orchids, swinging palms and the whispers of the sugar cane waving in the breeze…
At the moment, I work in a nursery looking after white babies. I spend so long indoors that my dreams are filled with rolling hills and colours like you wouldn’t believe; always dreams of home. Them babies sure do cry a lot, squished red faces. One or two white women I work with are nice enough, though the other day I heard one say the babies were scared of ‘us darkies’. Stupid!
Adapted from: The Place for Me: Stories about the Windrush Generation by Various Authors © 2021. Adapted for accessibility under CLA Licence. Do not share.
Sometimes they whisper and then the talking stops when I walk in. Little looks, hurts hidden; as if we wouldn’t notice. As if we can’t feel it in the air. Yesterday, a lady in the shop got served before me, even though I was there first. I waited for her to say something, but no. So I just waited, quiet. Making a fuss isn’t the way to get heard. Our time will come. I repeat Galatians 6:9: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
I want to build something of our life over here: have a career, make my time on God’s good Earth really count. But sister – they sure want our sugar and bananas more than they want us.
The skies are greyer than anything else. Smoke belches out of chimneys and the views feel small and grey too. No sorrel trees in sight. No macaws or hummingbirds, only grey pigeons. Grey, grey, grey – how many shades of the same dullness can there be?
But, you know me…if you look, there is always sunshine to be found. So I make sure I notice, on those rare days when the sun does peek out, that those pigeons’ feathers have a vibrant rainbow sheen. And when it rains, if the light catches the drops just right, then they sparkle on the pavement. I make believe they’re diamonds; that this place has unseen glittering jewels. We just need to search for them.
Adapted from: The Place for Me: Stories about the Windrush Generation by Various Authors © 2021. Adapted for accessibility under CLA Licence. Do not share.
Vocabulary
Explore
Hover for definitions!
bitter little needles of spite
reap a harvest
weary
career
belches
vibrant rainbow sheen
From: The Place for Me: Stories about the Windrush Generation by Various Authors © 2021. 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
bitter little needles of spite
Explore
Find Read Talk
The weather itself seems against us though. How it messes with my hair; oh Lord! Wind, sleet, rain – not rain like we know: warm, and soon dried up, sizzling on the concrete, but bitter, little needles of spite, driving themselves into my skin. Where is the sun?
Reveal Vocabulary
Adapted from: The Place for Me: Stories about the Windrush Generation by Various Authors © 2021. Adapted for accessibility under CLA Licence. Do not share.
bitter little needles of spite
Your turn
weary
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
reap a harvest
career
belches
vibrant rainbow sheen
Use your text
Explore
Vocabulary Check & Re-read
Explore
A LETTER HOME
Reveal Vocabulary
NOVEMBER, 1958
E.L. NORRY – Part Two
The weather itself seems against us though. How it messes with my hair; oh Lord! Wind, sleet, rain – not rain like we know: warm, and soon dried up, sizzling on the concrete, but bitter, little needles of spite, driving themselves into my skin. Where is the sun? I miss the lilies and orchids, swinging palms and the whispers of the sugar cane waving in the breeze…
At the moment, I work in a nursery looking after white babies. I spend so long indoors that my dreams are filled with rolling hills and colours like you wouldn’t believe; always dreams of home. Them babies sure do cry a lot, squished red faces. One or two white women I work with are nice enough, though the other day I heard one say the babies were scared of ‘us darkies’. Stupid!
Adapted from: The Place for Me: Stories about the Windrush Generation by Various Authors © 2021. Adapted for accessibility under CLA Licence. Do not share.
Teacher Note: Re-read if time allows.
Reveal Vocabulary
Sometimes they whisper and then the talking stops when I walk in. Little looks, hurts hidden; as if we wouldn’t notice. As if we can’t feel it in the air. Yesterday, a lady in the shop got served before me, even though I was there first. I waited for her to say something, but no. So I just waited, quiet. Making a fuss isn’t the way to get heard. Our time will come. I repeat Galatians 6:9: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
I want to build something of our life over here: have a career, make my time on God’s good Earth really count. But sister – they sure want our sugar and bananas more than they want us.
The skies are greyer than anything else. Smoke belches out of chimneys and the views feel small and grey too. No sorrel trees in sight. No macaws or hummingbirds, only grey pigeons. Grey, grey, grey – how many shades of the same dullness can there be?
But, you know me…if you look, there is always sunshine to be found. So I make sure I notice, on those rare days when the sun does peek out, that those pigeons’ feathers have a vibrant rainbow sheen. And when it rains, if the light catches the drops just right, then they sparkle on the pavement. I make believe they’re diamonds; that this place has unseen glittering jewels. We just need to search for them.
Adapted from: The Place for Me: Stories about the Windrush Generation by Various Authors © 2021. Adapted for accessibility under CLA Licence. Do not share.
Teacher Note: Re-read if time allows.
Fluency
Explore
Let me use my reader's voice...
Sometimes they whisper and then the talking stops when I walk in. Little looks, hurts hidden; as if we wouldn’t notice. As if we can’t feel it in the air. Yesterday, a lady in the shop got served before me, even though I was there first. I waited for her to say something, but no.
What did you notice?
From: The Place for Me: Stories about the Windrush Generation by Various Authors © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
My Turn
Your Turn
Echo Read
Sometimes they whisper and then the talking stops when I walk in.
Little looks, hurts hidden; as if we wouldn’t notice.
As if we can’t feel it in the air.
Yesterday, a lady in the shop got served before me, even though I was there first.
I waited for her to say something,
but no.
From: The Place for Me: Stories about the Windrush Generation by Various Authors © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Sound like a reader!
Stand up!
Choral Read
Sometimes they whisper and then the talking stops when I walk in. Little looks, hurts hidden; as if we wouldn’t notice. As if we can’t feel it in the air. Yesterday, a lady in the shop got served before me, even though I was there first. I waited for her to say something, but no.
From: The Place for Me: Stories about the Windrush Generation by Various Authors © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Strategy Focus
Explore
Strategy: Read Between the Lines
A) How does Gloria feel about the weather and the gloomy atmosphere in England?
Be a detective and look for clues!
Teach
Let me show you
Reveal Text Marks
The weather itself seems against us though. How it messes with my hair; oh Lord! Wind, sleet, rain – not rain like we know: warm, and soon dried up, sizzling on the concrete, but bitter, little needles of spite, driving themselves into my skin. Where is the sun?
A) How does Gloria feel about the weather and the gloomy atmosphere in England?
Reveal Explainer
This phrase shows that Gloria feels the weather is hostile and unwelcoming, almost as if it is deliberately making life difficult for her.
From: The Place for Me: Stories about the Windrush Generation by Various Authors © 2021. 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 Gloria feel about the weather and the gloomy atmosphere in England?
B) How has Gloria experienced racism since her arrival in England?
C) How does Gloria try to stay positive and look for the good things in life?
Find the answers
Text mark
Explore
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence wind, sleet, rain…bitter, little needles of spite, driving themselves into my skin
it is harsh and unpleasant
A) How does Gloria feel about the weather and the gloomy atmosphere in England?
Text Mark Evidence - where is the sun - the skies are greyer than anything else - grey, grey, grey – how many shades of the same dullness can there be
it is dark and grey
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Text Mark Evidence on those rare days when the sun does peek out
sunshine is uncommon
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence the other day I heard one (co-worker) say the babies were afraid of ‘us darkies’
called rude racist names
B) How has Gloria experienced racism since her arrival in England?
Text Mark Evidence sometimes they (co-workers) whisper and then the talking stops when I walk in
talked about behind her back
Text Mark Evidence a lady in the shop got served before me, even though I was there first
ignored in shops / white people served first
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Text Mark Evidence they (white British people) sure want our sugar and bananas more than they want us
products valued more than people
Practise & Apply
Text Mark Evidence - our time will come - we will reap a harvest if we do not give up
Acceptable Answers
practises patience and hope
Text Mark Evidence - I repeat Galatians 6:9: let us not become weary in doing good - I want to…make my time on God’s good Earth really count
practises faith / goodness
C) How does Gloria try to stay positive and look for the good things in life?
Text Mark Evidence I want to build something of our life over here: have a career
focuses on her goals
Text Mark Evidence - there is always sunshine to be found - on those rare days when the sun does peek out, that those pigeons’ feathers have a vibrant rainbow sheen; when it rains, if light catches the drops just right, then they sparkle on the pavement
finds beauty in nature and her surroundings
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Quiz Time
Start
Picture Me
Which image is the best match for ‘reap a harvest’?
Which One's Right?
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Which word is the closest in meaning to ‘weary’?
A bored
B exhausted
D unsettled
C disappointed
Find Me
Find three words which mean something is shiny:
So I make sure I notice, on those rare days when the sun does peek out, that those pigeons’ feathers have a vibrant rainbow sheen. And when it rains, if the light catches the drops just right, then they sparkle on the pavement. I make believe they’re diamonds; that this place has unseen glittering jewels. We just need to search for them.
2 Discuss then check
3 Discuss then check
1 Discuss then check
glittering
sheen
sparkle
Link Me
Link each adjective which could be used to describe Gloria, the writer of the letter, to the correct evidence in the text:
A I want to build something of our life over here: have a career...
1 resilient
B I repeat Galatians 6:9: Let us not become weary in doing good...
2 optimistic
Check
C Little looks, hurts hidden; as if we wouldn’t notice. As if we can’t feel it in the air...
3 spiritual
Click if correct
D If you look, there is always sunshine to be found...
4 ambitious
Feedback: Who did what well?
FindRead Talk
EchoRead
ChoralRead
ReadingStrategy
Answers & Text Marks
Other...
To be a book lover, you could...
set reading goals.
Reveal
Challenge yourself to read a specific number of books or pages.
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 and adapted for accessibility from: The Place for Me: Stories about the Windrush Generation by Various Authors © 2021 Schools must purchase the original text for full content.
RSRT Y6 L3 The Place for Me
Literacy Counts
Created on November 17, 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
The Place for Me: Non-Fiction Lesson 3
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?
Where is the sun? I miss the lilies and orchids, swinging palms and the whispers of the sugar cane waving in the breeze…
How might this extract link to the illustration?
From: The Place for Me: Stories about the Windrush Generation by Various Authors © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Today's Question(s)
A) How does Gloria feel about the weather and the gloomy atmosphere in England?
B) How has Gloria experienced racism since her arrival in England?
C) How does Gloria try to stay positive and look for the good things in life?
Explore
Let me read today's text
Explore
A LETTER HOME
NOVEMBER, 1958
E.L. NORRY – Part Two
The weather itself seems against us though. How it messes with my hair; oh Lord! Wind, sleet, rain – not rain like we know: warm, and soon dried up, sizzling on the concrete, but bitter, little needles of spite, driving themselves into my skin. Where is the sun? I miss the lilies and orchids, swinging palms and the whispers of the sugar cane waving in the breeze… At the moment, I work in a nursery looking after white babies. I spend so long indoors that my dreams are filled with rolling hills and colours like you wouldn’t believe; always dreams of home. Them babies sure do cry a lot, squished red faces. One or two white women I work with are nice enough, though the other day I heard one say the babies were scared of ‘us darkies’. Stupid!
Adapted from: The Place for Me: Stories about the Windrush Generation by Various Authors © 2021. Adapted for accessibility under CLA Licence. Do not share.
Sometimes they whisper and then the talking stops when I walk in. Little looks, hurts hidden; as if we wouldn’t notice. As if we can’t feel it in the air. Yesterday, a lady in the shop got served before me, even though I was there first. I waited for her to say something, but no. So I just waited, quiet. Making a fuss isn’t the way to get heard. Our time will come. I repeat Galatians 6:9: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. I want to build something of our life over here: have a career, make my time on God’s good Earth really count. But sister – they sure want our sugar and bananas more than they want us. The skies are greyer than anything else. Smoke belches out of chimneys and the views feel small and grey too. No sorrel trees in sight. No macaws or hummingbirds, only grey pigeons. Grey, grey, grey – how many shades of the same dullness can there be? But, you know me…if you look, there is always sunshine to be found. So I make sure I notice, on those rare days when the sun does peek out, that those pigeons’ feathers have a vibrant rainbow sheen. And when it rains, if the light catches the drops just right, then they sparkle on the pavement. I make believe they’re diamonds; that this place has unseen glittering jewels. We just need to search for them.
Adapted from: The Place for Me: Stories about the Windrush Generation by Various Authors © 2021. Adapted for accessibility under CLA Licence. Do not share.
Vocabulary
Explore
Hover for definitions!
bitter little needles of spite
reap a harvest
weary
career
belches
vibrant rainbow sheen
From: The Place for Me: Stories about the Windrush Generation by Various Authors © 2021. 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
bitter little needles of spite
Explore
Find Read Talk
The weather itself seems against us though. How it messes with my hair; oh Lord! Wind, sleet, rain – not rain like we know: warm, and soon dried up, sizzling on the concrete, but bitter, little needles of spite, driving themselves into my skin. Where is the sun?
Reveal Vocabulary
Adapted from: The Place for Me: Stories about the Windrush Generation by Various Authors © 2021. Adapted for accessibility under CLA Licence. Do not share.
bitter little needles of spite
Your turn
weary
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
reap a harvest
career
belches
vibrant rainbow sheen
Use your text
Explore
Vocabulary Check & Re-read
Explore
A LETTER HOME
Reveal Vocabulary
NOVEMBER, 1958
E.L. NORRY – Part Two
The weather itself seems against us though. How it messes with my hair; oh Lord! Wind, sleet, rain – not rain like we know: warm, and soon dried up, sizzling on the concrete, but bitter, little needles of spite, driving themselves into my skin. Where is the sun? I miss the lilies and orchids, swinging palms and the whispers of the sugar cane waving in the breeze… At the moment, I work in a nursery looking after white babies. I spend so long indoors that my dreams are filled with rolling hills and colours like you wouldn’t believe; always dreams of home. Them babies sure do cry a lot, squished red faces. One or two white women I work with are nice enough, though the other day I heard one say the babies were scared of ‘us darkies’. Stupid!
Adapted from: The Place for Me: Stories about the Windrush Generation by Various Authors © 2021. Adapted for accessibility under CLA Licence. Do not share.
Teacher Note: Re-read if time allows.
Reveal Vocabulary
Sometimes they whisper and then the talking stops when I walk in. Little looks, hurts hidden; as if we wouldn’t notice. As if we can’t feel it in the air. Yesterday, a lady in the shop got served before me, even though I was there first. I waited for her to say something, but no. So I just waited, quiet. Making a fuss isn’t the way to get heard. Our time will come. I repeat Galatians 6:9: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. I want to build something of our life over here: have a career, make my time on God’s good Earth really count. But sister – they sure want our sugar and bananas more than they want us. The skies are greyer than anything else. Smoke belches out of chimneys and the views feel small and grey too. No sorrel trees in sight. No macaws or hummingbirds, only grey pigeons. Grey, grey, grey – how many shades of the same dullness can there be? But, you know me…if you look, there is always sunshine to be found. So I make sure I notice, on those rare days when the sun does peek out, that those pigeons’ feathers have a vibrant rainbow sheen. And when it rains, if the light catches the drops just right, then they sparkle on the pavement. I make believe they’re diamonds; that this place has unseen glittering jewels. We just need to search for them.
Adapted from: The Place for Me: Stories about the Windrush Generation by Various Authors © 2021. Adapted for accessibility under CLA Licence. Do not share.
Teacher Note: Re-read if time allows.
Fluency
Explore
Let me use my reader's voice...
Sometimes they whisper and then the talking stops when I walk in. Little looks, hurts hidden; as if we wouldn’t notice. As if we can’t feel it in the air. Yesterday, a lady in the shop got served before me, even though I was there first. I waited for her to say something, but no.
What did you notice?
From: The Place for Me: Stories about the Windrush Generation by Various Authors © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
My Turn
Your Turn
Echo Read
Sometimes they whisper and then the talking stops when I walk in.
Little looks, hurts hidden; as if we wouldn’t notice.
As if we can’t feel it in the air.
Yesterday, a lady in the shop got served before me, even though I was there first.
I waited for her to say something,
but no.
From: The Place for Me: Stories about the Windrush Generation by Various Authors © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Sound like a reader!
Stand up!
Choral Read
Sometimes they whisper and then the talking stops when I walk in. Little looks, hurts hidden; as if we wouldn’t notice. As if we can’t feel it in the air. Yesterday, a lady in the shop got served before me, even though I was there first. I waited for her to say something, but no.
From: The Place for Me: Stories about the Windrush Generation by Various Authors © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Strategy Focus
Explore
Strategy: Read Between the Lines
A) How does Gloria feel about the weather and the gloomy atmosphere in England?
Be a detective and look for clues!
Teach
Let me show you
Reveal Text Marks
The weather itself seems against us though. How it messes with my hair; oh Lord! Wind, sleet, rain – not rain like we know: warm, and soon dried up, sizzling on the concrete, but bitter, little needles of spite, driving themselves into my skin. Where is the sun?
A) How does Gloria feel about the weather and the gloomy atmosphere in England?
Reveal Explainer
This phrase shows that Gloria feels the weather is hostile and unwelcoming, almost as if it is deliberately making life difficult for her.
From: The Place for Me: Stories about the Windrush Generation by Various Authors © 2021. 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 Gloria feel about the weather and the gloomy atmosphere in England?
B) How has Gloria experienced racism since her arrival in England?
C) How does Gloria try to stay positive and look for the good things in life?
Find the answers
Text mark
Explore
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence wind, sleet, rain…bitter, little needles of spite, driving themselves into my skin
it is harsh and unpleasant
A) How does Gloria feel about the weather and the gloomy atmosphere in England?
Text Mark Evidence - where is the sun - the skies are greyer than anything else - grey, grey, grey – how many shades of the same dullness can there be
it is dark and grey
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Text Mark Evidence on those rare days when the sun does peek out
sunshine is uncommon
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence the other day I heard one (co-worker) say the babies were afraid of ‘us darkies’
called rude racist names
B) How has Gloria experienced racism since her arrival in England?
Text Mark Evidence sometimes they (co-workers) whisper and then the talking stops when I walk in
talked about behind her back
Text Mark Evidence a lady in the shop got served before me, even though I was there first
ignored in shops / white people served first
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Text Mark Evidence they (white British people) sure want our sugar and bananas more than they want us
products valued more than people
Practise & Apply
Text Mark Evidence - our time will come - we will reap a harvest if we do not give up
Acceptable Answers
practises patience and hope
Text Mark Evidence - I repeat Galatians 6:9: let us not become weary in doing good - I want to…make my time on God’s good Earth really count
practises faith / goodness
C) How does Gloria try to stay positive and look for the good things in life?
Text Mark Evidence I want to build something of our life over here: have a career
focuses on her goals
Text Mark Evidence - there is always sunshine to be found - on those rare days when the sun does peek out, that those pigeons’ feathers have a vibrant rainbow sheen; when it rains, if light catches the drops just right, then they sparkle on the pavement
finds beauty in nature and her surroundings
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Quiz Time
Start
Picture Me
Which image is the best match for ‘reap a harvest’?
Which One's Right?
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Which word is the closest in meaning to ‘weary’?
A bored
B exhausted
D unsettled
C disappointed
Find Me
Find three words which mean something is shiny:
So I make sure I notice, on those rare days when the sun does peek out, that those pigeons’ feathers have a vibrant rainbow sheen. And when it rains, if the light catches the drops just right, then they sparkle on the pavement. I make believe they’re diamonds; that this place has unseen glittering jewels. We just need to search for them.
2 Discuss then check
3 Discuss then check
1 Discuss then check
glittering
sheen
sparkle
Link Me
Link each adjective which could be used to describe Gloria, the writer of the letter, to the correct evidence in the text:
A I want to build something of our life over here: have a career...
1 resilient
B I repeat Galatians 6:9: Let us not become weary in doing good...
2 optimistic
Check
C Little looks, hurts hidden; as if we wouldn’t notice. As if we can’t feel it in the air...
3 spiritual
Click if correct
D If you look, there is always sunshine to be found...
4 ambitious
Feedback: Who did what well?
FindRead Talk
EchoRead
ChoralRead
ReadingStrategy
Answers & Text Marks
Other...
To be a book lover, you could...
set reading goals.
Reveal
Challenge yourself to read a specific number of books or pages.
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 and adapted for accessibility from: The Place for Me: Stories about the Windrush Generation by Various Authors © 2021 Schools must purchase the original text for full content.