Ready Steady Read Together
Sky Song: 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?
Eska looked out at the landscape before her. There wasn’t a living soul in any direction. She sighed. This was a vast and silent emptiness that she knew nothing about.
How might this extract link to the illustration?
Explore
From: Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone © 2018. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Today's Question(s)
Which themes does the author explore in this extract?
Courage
Survival & Protection
Belonging & Connection
Loneliness
Trust
Hope
Explore
Let me read today's text
Explore
Eska looked out at the landscape before her. There wasn’t a living soul in any direction. She sighed. This was a vast and silent emptiness that she knew nothing about. She thought of what Flint might do. He moved quickly, thought quickly and spoke quickly, but Eska did none of those things. Flint was a part of the wilderness – he understood it – but, as Eska gazed upon it, she felt that it could swallow her whole.
She sat down on a rock, pulled her hood up against the wind and closed her eyes. She was an outcast whichever way she turned. And yet there had been that moment with the eagle on the hillside; somehow things had felt, for a second, almost familiar.
Eska’s eyes sprang open as a noise – a high-pitched cry- sounded from across the hills. She scrunched up her eyes and scanned the foothills and it was then that she saw the eagle gliding above the ridges, a dark streak against the blue sky.
Eska watched the bird for a few seconds. It didn’t dive down to catch any prey, but it didn’t sail off into the distance either. It just soared between the hills, back and forth, back and forth, as if – maybe – it was waiting for something.
Eska thought of Flint’s words: There’s a bond between animals and tribes out here. Her breath fluttered. Was the eagle helping her in return for saving it from the trap? Eska stood up and, because she had no bond with any person or any place, she found herself walking over the hills after the eagle.
From: Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone © 2018. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
She walked on through the valley beside the river, keeping the eagle in her sights as it flew ahead, and, just when she felt that she couldn’t possibly drag her legs on any further, the eagle landed on a rocky ledge leaning out over a waterfall. Her eyes widened. On her left hung the waterfall, but on her right there was a small wooden door built into the rock face. Did somebody live behind this waterfall, tucked out of sight from the rest of the world? She thought of the Ice Queen brewing curses to snatch her voice – she needed shelter from their dark magic and this place was about as secret as shelters could come.
The door creaked open and, as the light spilled in, a smile spread across Eska’s face. There was a table, a stove cut into the rock, and beyond that two beds draped with furs. Then her gaze fell to the best thing of all. A spear.
“Thank you,” she whispered to the eagle.
Eska’s heart was filled with longing – for family, friends and a home that she remembered – but a little space inside it had opened up for the eagle and, as she dipped her head before the bird now, she hoped that it understood.
From: Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone © 2018. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Vocabulary
Explore
Hover for definitions!
wilderness
bond
outcast
brewing
draped
longing
Explore
From: Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone © 2018. 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
wilderness
Explore
Find Read Talk
He moved quickly, thought quickly and spoke quickly, but Eska did none of those things. Flint was a part of the wilderness – he understood it – but, as Eska gazed upon it, she felt that it could swallow her whole.
Reveal Vocabulary
From: Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone © 2018. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
wilderness
Your turn
outcast
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
bond
brewing
draped
longings
Use your text
Explore
Vocabulary Check & Re-read
Explore
Reveal Vocabulary
Teacher Note: Re-read if time allows.
Eska looked out at the landscape before her. There wasn’t a living soul in any direction. She sighed. This was a vast and silent emptiness that she knew nothing about. She thought of what Flint might do. He moved quickly, thought quickly and spoke quickly, but Eska did none of those things. Flint was a part of the wilderness – he understood it – but, as Eska gazed upon it, she felt that it could swallow her whole.
She sat down on a rock, pulled her hood up against the wind and closed her eyes. She was an outcast whichever way she turned. And yet there had been that moment with the eagle on the hillside; somehow things had felt, for a second, almost familiar.
Eska’s eyes sprang open as a noise – a high-pitched cry- sounded from across the hills. She scrunched up her eyes and scanned the foothills and it was then that she saw the eagle gliding above the ridges, a dark streak against the blue sky.
Eska watched the bird for a few seconds. It didn’t dive down to catch any prey, but it didn’t sail off into the distance either. It just soared between the hills, back and forth, back and forth, as if – maybe – it was waiting for something.
Eska thought of Flint’s words: There’s a bond between animals and tribes out here. Her breath fluttered. Was the eagle helping her in return for saving it from the trap? Eska stood up and, because she had no bond with any person or any place, she found herself walking over the hills after the eagle.
From: Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone © 2018. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Reveal Vocabulary
Teacher Note: Re-read if time allows.
She walked on through the valley beside the river, keeping the eagle in her sights as it flew ahead, and, just when she felt that she couldn’t possibly drag her legs on any further, the eagle landed on a rocky ledge leaning out over a waterfall. Her eyes widened. On her left hung the waterfall, but on her right there was a small wooden door built into the rock face. Did somebody live behind this waterfall, tucked out of sight from the rest of the world? She thought of the Ice Queen brewing curses to snatch her voice – she needed shelter from their dark magic and this place was about as secret as shelters could come.
The door creaked open and, as the light spilled in, a smile spread across Eska’s face. There was a table, a stove cut into the rock, and beyond that two beds draped with furs. Then her gaze fell to the best thing of all. A spear.
“Thank you,” she whispered to the eagle.
Eska’s heart was filled with longing – for family, friends and a home that she remembered – but a little space inside it had opened up for the eagle and, as she dipped her head before the bird now, she hoped that it understood.
From: Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone © 2018. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Fluency
Explore
Let me use my reader's voice...
Eska thought of Flint’s words: There’s a bond between animals and tribes out here. Her breath fluttered. Was the eagle helping her in return for saving it from the trap? Eska stood up and, because she had no bond with any person or any place, she found herself walking over the hills after the eagle.
What did you notice?
Volume
Pace
Smoothness
Phrasing
Expression
Explore
From: Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone © 2018. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
My Turn
Your Turn
Echo Read
Eska thought of Flint’s words:
There’s a bond between animals and tribes out here.
Her breath fluttered.
Was the eagle helping her in return for saving it from the trap?
Eska stood up and,
because she had no bond with any person or any place,
she found herself walking over the hills after the eagle.
Explore
From: Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone © 2018. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Sound like a reader!
Stand up!
Choral Read
Eska thought of Flint’s words: There’s a bond between animals and tribes out here. Her breath fluttered. Was the eagle helping her in return for saving it from the trap? Eska stood up and, because she had no bond with any person or any place, she found herself walking over the hills after the eagle.
Explore
From: Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone © 2018. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Strategy Focus
Explore
Strategy: Main Point
What themes does the author explore in this extract?
What's the main idea of the text?
Teach
Let me show you
Reveal Text Marks
She was an outcast whichever way she turned. And yet there had been that moment with the eagle on the hillside; somehow things had felt, for a second, almost familiar. It just soared between the hills, back and forth, back and forth, as if – maybe – it was waiting for something. Her breath fluttered...a smile spread across Eska’s face. “Thank you,” she whispered to the eagle.
What themes does the author explore in this extract? Hope
Reveal Explainer
I think that the author explores the theme of hope because even though Eska feels alone and afraid, she feels hope when she sees the eagle again, and trusts it. Her breath fluttering and her smiling shows a change in her emotions from fear to a glimmer of hope. When she is safe inside the shelter and thanks the eagle it also seems that she is feeling hopeful about what might happen next. It suggests that having hope has kept Eska going through this difficult time.
Teach
From: Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone © 2018. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Strategy Stop
What else could you use to answer today's question(s)?
Teach
Your Turn
Find the answers
Text mark
Which themes does the author explore in this extract?
Courage
Survival & Protection
Belonging & Connection
Loneliness
Trust
Explore
Acceptable Answers
What themes does the author explore in this extract? Courage
Text Mark Evidence - (she felt that the wilderness) could swallow her whole - just when she felt that she couldn’t possibly drag her legs on any further
Eska shows courage by continuing despite fear and physical exhaustion
Text Mark Evidence she found herself walking over the hills after the eagle
she bravely follows the eagle into the unknown
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
What themes does the author explore in this extract? Loneliness
Text Mark Evidence - there wasn’t a living soul in any direction - a vast and silent emptiness
Eska is physically and emotionally isolated
Text Mark Evidence - she (Eska) was an outcast whichever way she turned - she had no bond with any person or any place - Flint was a part of the wilderness…but Eska did none of those things
she feels socially excluded and disconnected from others
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
What themes does the author explore in this extract? Belonging and Connection
Text Mark Evidence - there’s a bond between animals and tribes out here - was the eagle helping her in return for saving it from the trap?
although she feels like an outcast, Eska begins to recognise and form bonds
Text Mark Evidence - a little space inside it had opened up for the eagle - “Thank you,” she whispered to the eagle
her connection with the eagle grows into something meaningful
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
What themes does the author explore in this extract? Trust
Text Mark Evidence - she found herself walking over the hills after the eagle - keeping the eagle in her sights as it flew ahead
Eska places trust in the eagle’s guidance
Text Mark Evidence was the eagle helping her in return for saving it from the trap?
she believes the eagle may be intentionally helping her
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
What themes does the author explore in this extract? Survival and Protection
Text Mark Evidence - (she felt that the wilderness) could swallow her whole - pulled her hood up against the wind
Eska shows courage by continuing despite fear and physical exhaustion
Text Mark Evidence - she needed shelter from their dark magic - the best thing of all…a spear
she seeks safety and protection from greater threats
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Quiz Time
Start
Picture Me
Which image is the best match for ‘wilderness’?
Tick Me
What does Eska wish that she could do like Flint?
Tick all that apply:
A) think quickly
B) move quickly
Check
C) speak loudly
Click if correct
D) understand the wilderness
Which One's Right?
It just soared between the hills, back and forth, back and forth...The eagle was flying back and forth because...
A) it was looking for prey.
B) it wanted Eska to follow it.
D) it was searching for Eska.
C) it was lost.
Find Me
Find a word that shows that the Ice Queen is preparing and producing something to steal her voice:
She thought of the Ice Queen brewing curses to snatch her voice – she needed shelter from their dark magic and this place was about as secret as shelters could come.
Discuss then check
brewing
Feedback: Who did what well?
FindRead Talk
EchoRead
ChoralRead
ReadingStrategy
Answers & Text Marks
Other...
To be a book lover, you could...
explore audiobooks.
Reveal
Listen to books during walks or while relaxing.
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: Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone © 2018 Schools must purchase the original text for full content.
RSRT Y5 L4 Sky Song
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Transcript
Ready Steady Read Together
Sky Song: 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?
Eska looked out at the landscape before her. There wasn’t a living soul in any direction. She sighed. This was a vast and silent emptiness that she knew nothing about.
How might this extract link to the illustration?
Explore
From: Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone © 2018. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Today's Question(s)
Which themes does the author explore in this extract?
Courage
Survival & Protection
Belonging & Connection
Loneliness
Trust
Hope
Explore
Let me read today's text
Explore
Eska looked out at the landscape before her. There wasn’t a living soul in any direction. She sighed. This was a vast and silent emptiness that she knew nothing about. She thought of what Flint might do. He moved quickly, thought quickly and spoke quickly, but Eska did none of those things. Flint was a part of the wilderness – he understood it – but, as Eska gazed upon it, she felt that it could swallow her whole. She sat down on a rock, pulled her hood up against the wind and closed her eyes. She was an outcast whichever way she turned. And yet there had been that moment with the eagle on the hillside; somehow things had felt, for a second, almost familiar. Eska’s eyes sprang open as a noise – a high-pitched cry- sounded from across the hills. She scrunched up her eyes and scanned the foothills and it was then that she saw the eagle gliding above the ridges, a dark streak against the blue sky. Eska watched the bird for a few seconds. It didn’t dive down to catch any prey, but it didn’t sail off into the distance either. It just soared between the hills, back and forth, back and forth, as if – maybe – it was waiting for something. Eska thought of Flint’s words: There’s a bond between animals and tribes out here. Her breath fluttered. Was the eagle helping her in return for saving it from the trap? Eska stood up and, because she had no bond with any person or any place, she found herself walking over the hills after the eagle.
From: Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone © 2018. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
She walked on through the valley beside the river, keeping the eagle in her sights as it flew ahead, and, just when she felt that she couldn’t possibly drag her legs on any further, the eagle landed on a rocky ledge leaning out over a waterfall. Her eyes widened. On her left hung the waterfall, but on her right there was a small wooden door built into the rock face. Did somebody live behind this waterfall, tucked out of sight from the rest of the world? She thought of the Ice Queen brewing curses to snatch her voice – she needed shelter from their dark magic and this place was about as secret as shelters could come. The door creaked open and, as the light spilled in, a smile spread across Eska’s face. There was a table, a stove cut into the rock, and beyond that two beds draped with furs. Then her gaze fell to the best thing of all. A spear. “Thank you,” she whispered to the eagle. Eska’s heart was filled with longing – for family, friends and a home that she remembered – but a little space inside it had opened up for the eagle and, as she dipped her head before the bird now, she hoped that it understood.
From: Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone © 2018. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Vocabulary
Explore
Hover for definitions!
wilderness
bond
outcast
brewing
draped
longing
Explore
From: Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone © 2018. 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
wilderness
Explore
Find Read Talk
He moved quickly, thought quickly and spoke quickly, but Eska did none of those things. Flint was a part of the wilderness – he understood it – but, as Eska gazed upon it, she felt that it could swallow her whole.
Reveal Vocabulary
From: Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone © 2018. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
wilderness
Your turn
outcast
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
bond
brewing
draped
longings
Use your text
Explore
Vocabulary Check & Re-read
Explore
Reveal Vocabulary
Teacher Note: Re-read if time allows.
Eska looked out at the landscape before her. There wasn’t a living soul in any direction. She sighed. This was a vast and silent emptiness that she knew nothing about. She thought of what Flint might do. He moved quickly, thought quickly and spoke quickly, but Eska did none of those things. Flint was a part of the wilderness – he understood it – but, as Eska gazed upon it, she felt that it could swallow her whole. She sat down on a rock, pulled her hood up against the wind and closed her eyes. She was an outcast whichever way she turned. And yet there had been that moment with the eagle on the hillside; somehow things had felt, for a second, almost familiar. Eska’s eyes sprang open as a noise – a high-pitched cry- sounded from across the hills. She scrunched up her eyes and scanned the foothills and it was then that she saw the eagle gliding above the ridges, a dark streak against the blue sky. Eska watched the bird for a few seconds. It didn’t dive down to catch any prey, but it didn’t sail off into the distance either. It just soared between the hills, back and forth, back and forth, as if – maybe – it was waiting for something. Eska thought of Flint’s words: There’s a bond between animals and tribes out here. Her breath fluttered. Was the eagle helping her in return for saving it from the trap? Eska stood up and, because she had no bond with any person or any place, she found herself walking over the hills after the eagle.
From: Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone © 2018. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Reveal Vocabulary
Teacher Note: Re-read if time allows.
She walked on through the valley beside the river, keeping the eagle in her sights as it flew ahead, and, just when she felt that she couldn’t possibly drag her legs on any further, the eagle landed on a rocky ledge leaning out over a waterfall. Her eyes widened. On her left hung the waterfall, but on her right there was a small wooden door built into the rock face. Did somebody live behind this waterfall, tucked out of sight from the rest of the world? She thought of the Ice Queen brewing curses to snatch her voice – she needed shelter from their dark magic and this place was about as secret as shelters could come. The door creaked open and, as the light spilled in, a smile spread across Eska’s face. There was a table, a stove cut into the rock, and beyond that two beds draped with furs. Then her gaze fell to the best thing of all. A spear. “Thank you,” she whispered to the eagle. Eska’s heart was filled with longing – for family, friends and a home that she remembered – but a little space inside it had opened up for the eagle and, as she dipped her head before the bird now, she hoped that it understood.
From: Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone © 2018. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Fluency
Explore
Let me use my reader's voice...
Eska thought of Flint’s words: There’s a bond between animals and tribes out here. Her breath fluttered. Was the eagle helping her in return for saving it from the trap? Eska stood up and, because she had no bond with any person or any place, she found herself walking over the hills after the eagle.
What did you notice?
Volume
Pace
Smoothness
Phrasing
Expression
Explore
From: Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone © 2018. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
My Turn
Your Turn
Echo Read
Eska thought of Flint’s words:
There’s a bond between animals and tribes out here.
Her breath fluttered.
Was the eagle helping her in return for saving it from the trap?
Eska stood up and,
because she had no bond with any person or any place,
she found herself walking over the hills after the eagle.
Explore
From: Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone © 2018. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Sound like a reader!
Stand up!
Choral Read
Eska thought of Flint’s words: There’s a bond between animals and tribes out here. Her breath fluttered. Was the eagle helping her in return for saving it from the trap? Eska stood up and, because she had no bond with any person or any place, she found herself walking over the hills after the eagle.
Explore
From: Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone © 2018. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Strategy Focus
Explore
Strategy: Main Point
What themes does the author explore in this extract?
What's the main idea of the text?
Teach
Let me show you
Reveal Text Marks
She was an outcast whichever way she turned. And yet there had been that moment with the eagle on the hillside; somehow things had felt, for a second, almost familiar. It just soared between the hills, back and forth, back and forth, as if – maybe – it was waiting for something. Her breath fluttered...a smile spread across Eska’s face. “Thank you,” she whispered to the eagle.
What themes does the author explore in this extract? Hope
Reveal Explainer
I think that the author explores the theme of hope because even though Eska feels alone and afraid, she feels hope when she sees the eagle again, and trusts it. Her breath fluttering and her smiling shows a change in her emotions from fear to a glimmer of hope. When she is safe inside the shelter and thanks the eagle it also seems that she is feeling hopeful about what might happen next. It suggests that having hope has kept Eska going through this difficult time.
Teach
From: Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone © 2018. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Strategy Stop
What else could you use to answer today's question(s)?
Teach
Your Turn
Find the answers
Text mark
Which themes does the author explore in this extract?
Courage
Survival & Protection
Belonging & Connection
Loneliness
Trust
Explore
Acceptable Answers
What themes does the author explore in this extract? Courage
Text Mark Evidence - (she felt that the wilderness) could swallow her whole - just when she felt that she couldn’t possibly drag her legs on any further
Eska shows courage by continuing despite fear and physical exhaustion
Text Mark Evidence she found herself walking over the hills after the eagle
she bravely follows the eagle into the unknown
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
What themes does the author explore in this extract? Loneliness
Text Mark Evidence - there wasn’t a living soul in any direction - a vast and silent emptiness
Eska is physically and emotionally isolated
Text Mark Evidence - she (Eska) was an outcast whichever way she turned - she had no bond with any person or any place - Flint was a part of the wilderness…but Eska did none of those things
she feels socially excluded and disconnected from others
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
What themes does the author explore in this extract? Belonging and Connection
Text Mark Evidence - there’s a bond between animals and tribes out here - was the eagle helping her in return for saving it from the trap?
although she feels like an outcast, Eska begins to recognise and form bonds
Text Mark Evidence - a little space inside it had opened up for the eagle - “Thank you,” she whispered to the eagle
her connection with the eagle grows into something meaningful
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
What themes does the author explore in this extract? Trust
Text Mark Evidence - she found herself walking over the hills after the eagle - keeping the eagle in her sights as it flew ahead
Eska places trust in the eagle’s guidance
Text Mark Evidence was the eagle helping her in return for saving it from the trap?
she believes the eagle may be intentionally helping her
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
What themes does the author explore in this extract? Survival and Protection
Text Mark Evidence - (she felt that the wilderness) could swallow her whole - pulled her hood up against the wind
Eska shows courage by continuing despite fear and physical exhaustion
Text Mark Evidence - she needed shelter from their dark magic - the best thing of all…a spear
she seeks safety and protection from greater threats
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Quiz Time
Start
Picture Me
Which image is the best match for ‘wilderness’?
Tick Me
What does Eska wish that she could do like Flint?
Tick all that apply:
A) think quickly
B) move quickly
Check
C) speak loudly
Click if correct
D) understand the wilderness
Which One's Right?
It just soared between the hills, back and forth, back and forth...The eagle was flying back and forth because...
A) it was looking for prey.
B) it wanted Eska to follow it.
D) it was searching for Eska.
C) it was lost.
Find Me
Find a word that shows that the Ice Queen is preparing and producing something to steal her voice:
She thought of the Ice Queen brewing curses to snatch her voice – she needed shelter from their dark magic and this place was about as secret as shelters could come.
Discuss then check
brewing
Feedback: Who did what well?
FindRead Talk
EchoRead
ChoralRead
ReadingStrategy
Answers & Text Marks
Other...
To be a book lover, you could...
explore audiobooks.
Reveal
Listen to books during walks or while relaxing.
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: Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone © 2018 Schools must purchase the original text for full content.