Ready Steady Read Together
Magic Your Mind Happy: Non-Fiction Lesson 4
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?
It appears because your audience believe you.
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 is it important that the coin is hidden in the magician’s hand before the trick begins?
B) What does the magician say to their friend to distract them during the trick?
C) According to the text, what skill does this simple coin trick help to teach?
D) What two ways does the text say a magician can help direct the audience’s attention?
Explore
Let me read today's text
Explore
WHAT’S THAT BEHIND YOUR EAR?
This is a classic magic trick which involves producing a coin from behind a person's ear.
First, you need to learn how to hide a coin in your hand. Find a coin that is about the same width as your two middle fingers.
Put the coin at the bottom of the two middle fingers of your dominant hand. Then curl your fingers inwards, so that the coin is gently held between the base and the first joints of the fingers.
Practise holding a coin like that until it feels comfortable and you can walk around without the coin falling out.
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Just before you perform this illusion, sneakily put a coin into this secret position. When you are with your friend, use your other hand to point behind their ear and say something like, ‘What's that behind your ear?’
Move the hand that is holding the coin behind their ear and use your thumb to slide the coin towards your fingertips.
Finally, show them your hand, holding the coin!
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
This trick may look simple but it teaches one of the most important skills in magic: confidence. The coin does not appear because of speed or secret powers. It appears because your audience believes you. That belief comes from calm, deliberate movements careful timing and regular practise. When you appear relaxed your friend relaxes too and becomes less suspicious. Take time to rehearse holding the coin so your hand feels natural and controlled. If your hand looks tense or unnatural the illusion will not feel convincing. A good magician also uses language thoughtfully. A short well-chosen sentence and a friendly expression help direct attention without forcing it. Remember magic works best when it feels playful rather than sneaky. If you enjoy performing the trick your audience will enjoy watching it.
As you improve you will begin to understand how presentation transforms a simple move into a convincing illusion. Small details matter. The way you stand the moment you speak and where you look all influence what your audience notices. Magicians call this performance awareness. It takes time to develop but every practise session helps. With patience and focus your movements will become smoother your timing sharper and your magic far more believable.
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Vocabulary
Explore
Hover for definitions!
same width
calm deliberate movements
base and the first joints
less suspicious
uses language thoughtfully
performance awareness
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
same width
Explore
Find Read Talk
First, you need to learn how to hide a coin in your hand. Find a coin that is about the same width as your two middle fingers.
Reveal Vocabulary
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Your turn
same width
base and the first joints
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
calm deliberate movements
less suspicious
uses language thoughtfully
performance awareness
Use your text
Explore
Vocabulary Check & Re-read
Explore
Reveal Vocabulary
Teacher Note: Re-read if time allows.
WHAT’S THAT BEHIND YOUR EAR?
This is a classic magic trick which involves producing a coin from behind a person's ear.
First, you need to learn how to hide a coin in your hand. Find a coin that is about the same width as your two middle fingers.
Put the coin at the bottom of the two middle fingers of your dominant hand. Then curl your fingers inwards, so that the coin is gently held between the base and the first joints of the fingers.
Practise holding a coin like that until it feels comfortable and you can walk around without the coin falling out.
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.
Just before you perform this illusion, sneakily put a coin into this secret position. When you are with your friend, use your other hand to point behind their ear and say something like, ‘What's that behind your ear?’
Move the hand that is holding the coin behind their ear and use your thumb to slide the coin towards your fingertips.
Finally, show them your hand, holding the coin!
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 trick may look simple but it teaches one of the most important skills in magic: confidence. The coin does not appear because of speed or secret powers. It appears because your audience believes you. That belief comes from calm, deliberate movements careful timing and regular practise. When you appear relaxed your friend relaxes too and becomes less suspicious. Take time to rehearse holding the coin so your hand feels natural and controlled. If your hand looks tense or unnatural the illusion will not feel convincing. A good magician also uses language thoughtfully. A short well-chosen sentence and a friendly expression help direct attention without forcing it. Remember magic works best when it feels playful rather than sneaky. If you enjoy performing the trick your audience will enjoy watching it.
As you improve you will begin to understand how presentation transforms a simple move into a convincing illusion. Small details matter. The way you stand the moment you speak and where you look all influence what your audience notices. Magicians call this performance awareness. It takes time to develop but every practise session helps. With patience and focus your movements will become smoother your timing sharper and your magic far more believable.
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...
Just before you perform this illusion, sneakily put a coin into this secret position. When you are with your friend, use your other hand to point behind their ear and say something like, ‘What's that behind your ear?’
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
Just before you perform this illusion,
sneakily put a coin into this secret position.
When you are with your friend, use your other hand to point behind their ear
and say something like, ‘What's that behind your ear?’
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
Just before you perform this illusion, sneakily put a coin into this secret position. When you are with your friend, use your other hand to point behind their ear and say something like, ‘What's that behind your ear?’
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 is it important that the coin is hidden in the magician’s hand before the trick begins?
Be a detective and look for clues!
Teach
Let me show you
Reveal Text Marks
Just before you perform this illusion, sneakily put a coin into this secret position. When you are with your friend, use your other hand to point behind their ear and say something like, ‘What's that behind your ear?’
A) Why is it important that the coin is hidden in the magician’s hand before the trick begins?
Reveal Explainer
It is important that the coin is hidden before the trick begins so the audience does not see the magician put it there. The text says, “just before you perform this illusion, sneakily put a coin into this secret position,” which shows the magician prepares in advance. This helps the magician look calm and natural, making the trick more believable.
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 is it important that the coin is hidden in the magician’s hand before the trick begins?
B) What does the magician say to their friend to distract them during the trick?
C) According to the text, what skill does this simple coin trick help to teach?
D) What two ways does the text say a magician can help direct the audience’s attention?
Find the answers
Text mark
Explore
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence the coin does not appear because of speed or secret powers
hiding the coin early helps the trick rely on belief rather than speed or special powers
A) Why is it important that the coin is hidden in the magician’s hand before the trick begins?
Text Mark Evidence take time to rehearse holding the coin so your hand feels natural and controlled
it allows the magician to practise holding the coin so their hand looks natural
Text Mark Evidence if your hand looks tense or unnatural the illusion will not feel convincing
it prevents the audience becoming suspicious
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
B) What does the magician say to their friend to distract them during the trick?
Click to reveal...
Text Mark Evidence What’s that behind your ear?
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
C) According to the text, what skill does this simple coin trick help to teach?
Text Mark Evidence this trick may look simple but it teaches one of the most important skills in magic: confidence
confidence
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
D) What two ways does the text say a magician can help direct the audience’s attention?
Text Mark Evidence a short well-chosen sentence
Text Mark Evidence a friendly expression
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Quiz Time
Start
Picture Me
Which image is the best match for ‘sneakily’?
Which One's Right?
Which answer best completes the sentence?
Before showing the coin, the magician moves their hand behind the friend’s ear and then…
B) drops the coin onto the floor
A) switches the cointo their other hand
C) asks the audienceto close their eyes
D) slides the coin towards their fingertips using their thumb
True or False?
The trick succeeds because the magician controls the audience’s attention, not because the coin moves quickly.
False
True
Match Me
Match each word with the correct meaning:
3 timing
4 suspicious
1 confidence
2 audience
C belief in yourself
B people watching the trick
A) how well actions are planned in time
D not fully trusting what you see
Click if correct
Check
Feedback: Who did what well?
FindRead Talk
EchoRead
ChoralRead
ReadingStrategy
Answers & Text Marks
Other...
To be a book lover, you could...
highlight what stands out.
Reveal
If the book is yours, underline or mark important parts.
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 L4 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 4
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?
It appears because your audience believe you.
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 is it important that the coin is hidden in the magician’s hand before the trick begins?
B) What does the magician say to their friend to distract them during the trick?
C) According to the text, what skill does this simple coin trick help to teach?
D) What two ways does the text say a magician can help direct the audience’s attention?
Explore
Let me read today's text
Explore
WHAT’S THAT BEHIND YOUR EAR?
This is a classic magic trick which involves producing a coin from behind a person's ear.
First, you need to learn how to hide a coin in your hand. Find a coin that is about the same width as your two middle fingers. Put the coin at the bottom of the two middle fingers of your dominant hand. Then curl your fingers inwards, so that the coin is gently held between the base and the first joints of the fingers.
Practise holding a coin like that until it feels comfortable and you can walk around without the coin falling out.
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Just before you perform this illusion, sneakily put a coin into this secret position. When you are with your friend, use your other hand to point behind their ear and say something like, ‘What's that behind your ear?’ Move the hand that is holding the coin behind their ear and use your thumb to slide the coin towards your fingertips. Finally, show them your hand, holding the coin!
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
This trick may look simple but it teaches one of the most important skills in magic: confidence. The coin does not appear because of speed or secret powers. It appears because your audience believes you. That belief comes from calm, deliberate movements careful timing and regular practise. When you appear relaxed your friend relaxes too and becomes less suspicious. Take time to rehearse holding the coin so your hand feels natural and controlled. If your hand looks tense or unnatural the illusion will not feel convincing. A good magician also uses language thoughtfully. A short well-chosen sentence and a friendly expression help direct attention without forcing it. Remember magic works best when it feels playful rather than sneaky. If you enjoy performing the trick your audience will enjoy watching it. As you improve you will begin to understand how presentation transforms a simple move into a convincing illusion. Small details matter. The way you stand the moment you speak and where you look all influence what your audience notices. Magicians call this performance awareness. It takes time to develop but every practise session helps. With patience and focus your movements will become smoother your timing sharper and your magic far more believable.
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Vocabulary
Explore
Hover for definitions!
same width
calm deliberate movements
base and the first joints
less suspicious
uses language thoughtfully
performance awareness
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
same width
Explore
Find Read Talk
First, you need to learn how to hide a coin in your hand. Find a coin that is about the same width as your two middle fingers.
Reveal Vocabulary
From: Magic Your Mind Happy by Richard Wiseman © 2024. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Your turn
same width
base and the first joints
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
calm deliberate movements
less suspicious
uses language thoughtfully
performance awareness
Use your text
Explore
Vocabulary Check & Re-read
Explore
Reveal Vocabulary
Teacher Note: Re-read if time allows.
WHAT’S THAT BEHIND YOUR EAR?
This is a classic magic trick which involves producing a coin from behind a person's ear.
First, you need to learn how to hide a coin in your hand. Find a coin that is about the same width as your two middle fingers. Put the coin at the bottom of the two middle fingers of your dominant hand. Then curl your fingers inwards, so that the coin is gently held between the base and the first joints of the fingers.
Practise holding a coin like that until it feels comfortable and you can walk around without the coin falling out.
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.
Just before you perform this illusion, sneakily put a coin into this secret position. When you are with your friend, use your other hand to point behind their ear and say something like, ‘What's that behind your ear?’ Move the hand that is holding the coin behind their ear and use your thumb to slide the coin towards your fingertips. Finally, show them your hand, holding the coin!
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 trick may look simple but it teaches one of the most important skills in magic: confidence. The coin does not appear because of speed or secret powers. It appears because your audience believes you. That belief comes from calm, deliberate movements careful timing and regular practise. When you appear relaxed your friend relaxes too and becomes less suspicious. Take time to rehearse holding the coin so your hand feels natural and controlled. If your hand looks tense or unnatural the illusion will not feel convincing. A good magician also uses language thoughtfully. A short well-chosen sentence and a friendly expression help direct attention without forcing it. Remember magic works best when it feels playful rather than sneaky. If you enjoy performing the trick your audience will enjoy watching it. As you improve you will begin to understand how presentation transforms a simple move into a convincing illusion. Small details matter. The way you stand the moment you speak and where you look all influence what your audience notices. Magicians call this performance awareness. It takes time to develop but every practise session helps. With patience and focus your movements will become smoother your timing sharper and your magic far more believable.
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...
Just before you perform this illusion, sneakily put a coin into this secret position. When you are with your friend, use your other hand to point behind their ear and say something like, ‘What's that behind your ear?’
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
Just before you perform this illusion,
sneakily put a coin into this secret position.
When you are with your friend, use your other hand to point behind their ear
and say something like, ‘What's that behind your ear?’
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
Just before you perform this illusion, sneakily put a coin into this secret position. When you are with your friend, use your other hand to point behind their ear and say something like, ‘What's that behind your ear?’
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 is it important that the coin is hidden in the magician’s hand before the trick begins?
Be a detective and look for clues!
Teach
Let me show you
Reveal Text Marks
Just before you perform this illusion, sneakily put a coin into this secret position. When you are with your friend, use your other hand to point behind their ear and say something like, ‘What's that behind your ear?’
A) Why is it important that the coin is hidden in the magician’s hand before the trick begins?
Reveal Explainer
It is important that the coin is hidden before the trick begins so the audience does not see the magician put it there. The text says, “just before you perform this illusion, sneakily put a coin into this secret position,” which shows the magician prepares in advance. This helps the magician look calm and natural, making the trick more believable.
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 is it important that the coin is hidden in the magician’s hand before the trick begins?
B) What does the magician say to their friend to distract them during the trick?
C) According to the text, what skill does this simple coin trick help to teach?
D) What two ways does the text say a magician can help direct the audience’s attention?
Find the answers
Text mark
Explore
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence the coin does not appear because of speed or secret powers
hiding the coin early helps the trick rely on belief rather than speed or special powers
A) Why is it important that the coin is hidden in the magician’s hand before the trick begins?
Text Mark Evidence take time to rehearse holding the coin so your hand feels natural and controlled
it allows the magician to practise holding the coin so their hand looks natural
Text Mark Evidence if your hand looks tense or unnatural the illusion will not feel convincing
it prevents the audience becoming suspicious
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
B) What does the magician say to their friend to distract them during the trick?
Click to reveal...
Text Mark Evidence What’s that behind your ear?
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
C) According to the text, what skill does this simple coin trick help to teach?
Text Mark Evidence this trick may look simple but it teaches one of the most important skills in magic: confidence
confidence
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
D) What two ways does the text say a magician can help direct the audience’s attention?
Text Mark Evidence a short well-chosen sentence
Text Mark Evidence a friendly expression
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Quiz Time
Start
Picture Me
Which image is the best match for ‘sneakily’?
Which One's Right?
Which answer best completes the sentence? Before showing the coin, the magician moves their hand behind the friend’s ear and then…
B) drops the coin onto the floor
A) switches the cointo their other hand
C) asks the audienceto close their eyes
D) slides the coin towards their fingertips using their thumb
True or False?
The trick succeeds because the magician controls the audience’s attention, not because the coin moves quickly.
False
True
Match Me
Match each word with the correct meaning:
3 timing
4 suspicious
1 confidence
2 audience
C belief in yourself
B people watching the trick
A) how well actions are planned in time
D not fully trusting what you see
Click if correct
Check
Feedback: Who did what well?
FindRead Talk
EchoRead
ChoralRead
ReadingStrategy
Answers & Text Marks
Other...
To be a book lover, you could...
highlight what stands out.
Reveal
If the book is yours, underline or mark important parts.
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.