Ready Steady Read Together
Magic Your Mind Happy: 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?
This is more of a practical joke than a trick, but it’s great for getting people talking.
How might this extract link to the illustration?
Explore
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Today's Question(s)
A) Why does the writer think that presentation is just as important as the object used in the trick?
B) Where does the writer suggest you take the box from before performing the trick?
C) What must you avoid doing before showing your friend the box?
D) What does the writer say you should use if you have small hands?
Explore
Let me read today's text
Explore
THE ZOMBIE'S FINGER
This is more of a practical joke than a trick, but it's great for getting people talking. You will need a cardboard box that has a loose-fitting lid and is about 10cm long, about 7cm wide and about 3cm deep. If you have small hands, then you can use a smaller box. Carefully cut a hole in the bottom of the box, towards one end, making sure that it is slightly larger than your second finger. Now stick a thin layer of cotton wool inside the box - but don't cover the gap - and use a red marker pen to colour around the edges of the hole.
To perform this illusion, take out the box from your pocket or bag. Do not show your friend the hole in the bottom. Place the box on to your left hand, and hold it in place with your left thumb, and third and little fingers. As you put the box on your hand, secretly push your second finger into the hole, bend it over and lay it flat against the cotton wool. Say that you have a strange souvenir of a recent zombie attack.
Then remove the lid and show that the box contains a zombie’s finger! Move your finger a little bit and it will seem to come alive!
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
This illusion can be slightly scary so it's best to present it in a light-hearted way.As this is more of a joke than a magic trick, it's fine to reveal the secret and even let people try it for themselves.
This illusion is a great reminder that magic is not always about fooling people for long. Sometimes it is about surprise laughter and starting a conversation. Practical jokes like this work because they tell a short story that feels just believable enough to make someone react. The moment of shock only lasts a second but the memory lasts much longer. That is why how you present the idea matters as much as the object you use. Speak calmly smile and keep the mood playful so no one feels genuinely scared. The best magicians know their audience and choose tricks that fit the moment. When everyone laughs together the trick has done its job. Magic does not always need silence and mystery. Sometimes the real success is sharing a joke and enjoying the reaction it creates.
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Vocabulary
Explore
Hover for definitions!
practical joke
strange souvenir
loose-fitting
light-hearted
believable
genuinely scared
Explore
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. 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
practical joke
Explore
Find Read Talk
This is more of a practical joke than a trick, but it's great for getting people talking.
Reveal Vocabulary
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
practical joke
Your turn
loose-fitting
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
strange souvenir
light-hearted
believable
genuinely scared
Use your text
Explore
Vocabulary Check & Re-read
Explore
Reveal Vocabulary
Teacher Note: Re-read if time allows.
THE ZOMBIE'S FINGER
This is more of a practical joke than a trick, but it's great for getting people talking. You will need a cardboard box that has a loose-fitting lid and is about 10cm long, about 7cm wide and about 3cm deep. If you have small hands, then you can use a smaller box. Carefully cut a hole in the bottom of the box, towards one end, making sure that it is slightly larger than your second finger. Now stick a thin layer of cotton wool inside the box - but don't cover the gap - and use a red marker pen to colour around the edges of the hole.
To perform this illusion, take out the box from your pocket or bag. Do not show your friend the hole in the bottom. Place the box on to your left hand, and hold it in place with your left thumb, and third and little fingers. As you put the box on your hand, secretly push your second finger into the hole, bend it over and lay it flat against the cotton wool. Say that you have a strange souvenir of a recent zombie attack.
Then remove the lid and show that the box contains a zombie’s finger! Move your finger a little bit and it will seem to come alive!
Text from
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Reveal Vocabulary
Teacher Note: Re-read if time allows.
This illusion can be slightly scary so it's best to present it in a light-hearted way.As this is more of a joke than a magic trick, it's fine to reveal the secret and even let people try it for themselves.
This illusion is a great reminder that magic is not always about fooling people for long. Sometimes it is about surprise laughter and starting a conversation. Practical jokes like this work because they tell a short story that feels just believable enough to make someone react. The moment of shock only lasts a second but the memory lasts much longer. That is why how you present the idea matters as much as the object you use. Speak calmly smile and keep the mood playful so no one feels genuinely scared. The best magicians know their audience and choose tricks that fit the moment. When everyone laughs together the trick has done its job. Magic does not always need silence and mystery. Sometimes the real success is sharing a joke and enjoying the reaction it creates.
Text from
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Fluency
Explore
Let me use my reader's voice...
Bend it over and lay it flat against the cotton wool. Say that you have a strange souvenir of a recent zombie attack. Then remove the lid and show that the box contains a zombie’s finger! Move your finger a little bit and it will seem to come alive!
What did you notice?
Explore
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
My Turn
Your Turn
Echo Read
Bend it over and lay it flat against the cotton wool.
Say that you have a strange souvenir of a recent zombie attack.
Then remove the lid and show that the box contains a zombie’s finger!
Move your finger a little bit and it will seem to come alive!
Explore
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Sound like a reader!
Stand up!
Choral Read
Bend it over and lay it flat against the cotton wool. Say that you have a strange souvenir of a recent zombie attack. Then remove the lid and show that the box contains a zombie’s finger! Move your finger a little bit and it will seem to come alive!
Explore
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Strategy Focus
Explore
Strategy: Read Between the Lines
A) Why does the writer think that presentation is just as important as the object used in the trick?
Be a detective and look for clues!
Teach
Let me show you
Reveal Text Marks
This is more of a practical joke than a trick, but it's great for getting people talking. You will need a cardboard box that has a loose-fitting lid and is about 10cm long, about 7cm wide and about 3cm deep.
Reveal Explainer
The opening sentence tells us what kind of trick this is before the writer explains how to do it. When the writer says it is “more of a practical joke than a trick”, they are letting the reader know a few important things straight away.
It tells us that the main aim is to make people laugh, not to trick them for a long time. It also shows that the reaction people have is more important than the object being used. Because it is a joke, the way it is presented and the tone used will really matter.
A) Why does the writer think that presentation is just as important as the object used in the trick?
Teach
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. 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) Why does the writer think that presentation is just as important as the object used in the trick?
B) Where does the writer suggest you take the box from before performing the trick?
C) What must you avoid doing before showing your friend the box?
D) What does the writer say you should use if you have small hands?
Find the answers
Text mark
Explore
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence this illusion can be slightly scary so it’s best to present it in a light-hearted way
poor presentation could frighten the audience
A) Why does the writer think that presentation is just as important as the object used in the trick?
Text Mark Evidence it’s fine to reveal the secret and even let people try it for themselves
the enjoyment comes from the experience, not the object itself
Text Mark Evidence tell a short story that feels just believable enough to make someone react
a believable story helps shape how people react
Text Mark Evidence the moment of shock only lasts a second but the memory lasts much longer
the audience’s reaction is more important than the moment of the trick
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Text Mark Evidence speak calmly, smile and keep the mood playful so no one feels genuinely scared
the performer’s behaviour controls how the audience feels
Text Mark Evidence sometimes the real success is sharing a joke and enjoying the reaction it creates
shared laughter is the real aim of the trick
Acceptable Answers
B) Where does the writer suggest you take the box from before performing the trick?
Click to reveal...
Text Mark Evidence take out the box from your pocket or bag
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
C) What must you avoid doing before showing your friend the box?
Text Mark Evidence do not show your friend the hole in the bottom
showing your friend the hole in the bottom of the box
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
D) What does the writer say you should use if you have small hands?
Click to reveal...
Text Mark Evidence a smaller box
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Quiz Time
Start
Picture Me
Which image is the best match for ‘loose-fitting’?
Which One's Right?
Which word is closest in meaning to ‘souvenir’?
A) memory
B) keepsake
D) costume
C) prize
True or False?
Use a blue marker to colour around the edges of the hole.
True
False
Link Me
Draw a line to match each action from the text to the correct reason.
A) To make the finger look more realistic
1) Colouring around the hole with a red marker
B) To stop people from feeling genuinely scared
2) Not showing the hole in the bottom of the box
Check
C) To keep how the trick works a secret
3) Presenting the illusion in a light-hearted way
Click if correct
D) To encourage laughter and conversation
4) Letting people trythe trick themselves
Feedback: Who did what well?
FindRead Talk
EchoRead
ChoralRead
ReadingStrategy
Answers & Text Marks
Other...
To be a book lover, you could...
celebrate your reading.
Reveal
Make a list of the books you've read and celebrate milestones.
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: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024 Schools must purchase the original text for full content.
RSRT Y5 L3 Magic Your Mind Happy
Literacy Counts
Created on February 3, 2026
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
Magic Your Mind Happy: 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?
This is more of a practical joke than a trick, but it’s great for getting people talking.
How might this extract link to the illustration?
Explore
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Today's Question(s)
A) Why does the writer think that presentation is just as important as the object used in the trick?
B) Where does the writer suggest you take the box from before performing the trick?
C) What must you avoid doing before showing your friend the box?
D) What does the writer say you should use if you have small hands?
Explore
Let me read today's text
Explore
THE ZOMBIE'S FINGER
This is more of a practical joke than a trick, but it's great for getting people talking. You will need a cardboard box that has a loose-fitting lid and is about 10cm long, about 7cm wide and about 3cm deep. If you have small hands, then you can use a smaller box. Carefully cut a hole in the bottom of the box, towards one end, making sure that it is slightly larger than your second finger. Now stick a thin layer of cotton wool inside the box - but don't cover the gap - and use a red marker pen to colour around the edges of the hole. To perform this illusion, take out the box from your pocket or bag. Do not show your friend the hole in the bottom. Place the box on to your left hand, and hold it in place with your left thumb, and third and little fingers. As you put the box on your hand, secretly push your second finger into the hole, bend it over and lay it flat against the cotton wool. Say that you have a strange souvenir of a recent zombie attack. Then remove the lid and show that the box contains a zombie’s finger! Move your finger a little bit and it will seem to come alive!
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
This illusion can be slightly scary so it's best to present it in a light-hearted way.As this is more of a joke than a magic trick, it's fine to reveal the secret and even let people try it for themselves.
This illusion is a great reminder that magic is not always about fooling people for long. Sometimes it is about surprise laughter and starting a conversation. Practical jokes like this work because they tell a short story that feels just believable enough to make someone react. The moment of shock only lasts a second but the memory lasts much longer. That is why how you present the idea matters as much as the object you use. Speak calmly smile and keep the mood playful so no one feels genuinely scared. The best magicians know their audience and choose tricks that fit the moment. When everyone laughs together the trick has done its job. Magic does not always need silence and mystery. Sometimes the real success is sharing a joke and enjoying the reaction it creates.
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Vocabulary
Explore
Hover for definitions!
practical joke
strange souvenir
loose-fitting
light-hearted
believable
genuinely scared
Explore
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. 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
practical joke
Explore
Find Read Talk
This is more of a practical joke than a trick, but it's great for getting people talking.
Reveal Vocabulary
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
practical joke
Your turn
loose-fitting
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
strange souvenir
light-hearted
believable
genuinely scared
Use your text
Explore
Vocabulary Check & Re-read
Explore
Reveal Vocabulary
Teacher Note: Re-read if time allows.
THE ZOMBIE'S FINGER
This is more of a practical joke than a trick, but it's great for getting people talking. You will need a cardboard box that has a loose-fitting lid and is about 10cm long, about 7cm wide and about 3cm deep. If you have small hands, then you can use a smaller box. Carefully cut a hole in the bottom of the box, towards one end, making sure that it is slightly larger than your second finger. Now stick a thin layer of cotton wool inside the box - but don't cover the gap - and use a red marker pen to colour around the edges of the hole. To perform this illusion, take out the box from your pocket or bag. Do not show your friend the hole in the bottom. Place the box on to your left hand, and hold it in place with your left thumb, and third and little fingers. As you put the box on your hand, secretly push your second finger into the hole, bend it over and lay it flat against the cotton wool. Say that you have a strange souvenir of a recent zombie attack. Then remove the lid and show that the box contains a zombie’s finger! Move your finger a little bit and it will seem to come alive!
Text from
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Reveal Vocabulary
Teacher Note: Re-read if time allows.
This illusion can be slightly scary so it's best to present it in a light-hearted way.As this is more of a joke than a magic trick, it's fine to reveal the secret and even let people try it for themselves.
This illusion is a great reminder that magic is not always about fooling people for long. Sometimes it is about surprise laughter and starting a conversation. Practical jokes like this work because they tell a short story that feels just believable enough to make someone react. The moment of shock only lasts a second but the memory lasts much longer. That is why how you present the idea matters as much as the object you use. Speak calmly smile and keep the mood playful so no one feels genuinely scared. The best magicians know their audience and choose tricks that fit the moment. When everyone laughs together the trick has done its job. Magic does not always need silence and mystery. Sometimes the real success is sharing a joke and enjoying the reaction it creates.
Text from
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Fluency
Explore
Let me use my reader's voice...
Bend it over and lay it flat against the cotton wool. Say that you have a strange souvenir of a recent zombie attack. Then remove the lid and show that the box contains a zombie’s finger! Move your finger a little bit and it will seem to come alive!
What did you notice?
Explore
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
My Turn
Your Turn
Echo Read
Bend it over and lay it flat against the cotton wool.
Say that you have a strange souvenir of a recent zombie attack.
Then remove the lid and show that the box contains a zombie’s finger!
Move your finger a little bit and it will seem to come alive!
Explore
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Sound like a reader!
Stand up!
Choral Read
Bend it over and lay it flat against the cotton wool. Say that you have a strange souvenir of a recent zombie attack. Then remove the lid and show that the box contains a zombie’s finger! Move your finger a little bit and it will seem to come alive!
Explore
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Strategy Focus
Explore
Strategy: Read Between the Lines
A) Why does the writer think that presentation is just as important as the object used in the trick?
Be a detective and look for clues!
Teach
Let me show you
Reveal Text Marks
This is more of a practical joke than a trick, but it's great for getting people talking. You will need a cardboard box that has a loose-fitting lid and is about 10cm long, about 7cm wide and about 3cm deep.
Reveal Explainer
The opening sentence tells us what kind of trick this is before the writer explains how to do it. When the writer says it is “more of a practical joke than a trick”, they are letting the reader know a few important things straight away. It tells us that the main aim is to make people laugh, not to trick them for a long time. It also shows that the reaction people have is more important than the object being used. Because it is a joke, the way it is presented and the tone used will really matter.
A) Why does the writer think that presentation is just as important as the object used in the trick?
Teach
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. 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) Why does the writer think that presentation is just as important as the object used in the trick?
B) Where does the writer suggest you take the box from before performing the trick?
C) What must you avoid doing before showing your friend the box?
D) What does the writer say you should use if you have small hands?
Find the answers
Text mark
Explore
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence this illusion can be slightly scary so it’s best to present it in a light-hearted way
poor presentation could frighten the audience
A) Why does the writer think that presentation is just as important as the object used in the trick?
Text Mark Evidence it’s fine to reveal the secret and even let people try it for themselves
the enjoyment comes from the experience, not the object itself
Text Mark Evidence tell a short story that feels just believable enough to make someone react
a believable story helps shape how people react
Text Mark Evidence the moment of shock only lasts a second but the memory lasts much longer
the audience’s reaction is more important than the moment of the trick
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Text Mark Evidence speak calmly, smile and keep the mood playful so no one feels genuinely scared
the performer’s behaviour controls how the audience feels
Text Mark Evidence sometimes the real success is sharing a joke and enjoying the reaction it creates
shared laughter is the real aim of the trick
Acceptable Answers
B) Where does the writer suggest you take the box from before performing the trick?
Click to reveal...
Text Mark Evidence take out the box from your pocket or bag
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
C) What must you avoid doing before showing your friend the box?
Text Mark Evidence do not show your friend the hole in the bottom
showing your friend the hole in the bottom of the box
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
D) What does the writer say you should use if you have small hands?
Click to reveal...
Text Mark Evidence a smaller box
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Quiz Time
Start
Picture Me
Which image is the best match for ‘loose-fitting’?
Which One's Right?
Which word is closest in meaning to ‘souvenir’?
A) memory
B) keepsake
D) costume
C) prize
True or False?
Use a blue marker to colour around the edges of the hole.
True
False
Link Me
Draw a line to match each action from the text to the correct reason.
A) To make the finger look more realistic
1) Colouring around the hole with a red marker
B) To stop people from feeling genuinely scared
2) Not showing the hole in the bottom of the box
Check
C) To keep how the trick works a secret
3) Presenting the illusion in a light-hearted way
Click if correct
D) To encourage laughter and conversation
4) Letting people trythe trick themselves
Feedback: Who did what well?
FindRead Talk
EchoRead
ChoralRead
ReadingStrategy
Answers & Text Marks
Other...
To be a book lover, you could...
celebrate your reading.
Reveal
Make a list of the books you've read and celebrate milestones.
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: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024 Schools must purchase the original text for full content.