Ready Steady Read Together
Varjak Paw: Fiction Lesson 2
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?
“We’re pure-bred Mesopotamian Blues, the noblest of cats. Nothing bad can happen to us.”
How might this extract link to the illustration?
Explore
From: Varjak Paw by S. F. Said © 2003. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Today's Question(s)
A) What clues suggest the Contessa is no longer safe or well?
B) How does the family react to what the Elder Paw says at the Family Council?
Explore
Let me read today's text
Follow as I read
Explore
Varjak was sitting quietly, on his own at the back, but his mind was burning. This was his first Family Council.
From the Contessa’s red velvet armchair, where he stood, the Elder Paw began to speak. “The family tales tell us that when our ancestor Jalal came out of Mesopotamia, he wandered the earth for many years, before finding a home with the Contessa. Generations of paws have lived in this house since Jalal’s time. But those days may be coming to an end. I believe the Contessa is dead.”
The older cats gasped. They shot strange looks at one another, and shook their heads. A log crackled loudly in the fireplace.
The Elder Paw waited until it was quiet again to continue. “She has seldom left her room of late, only to feed us and tend the fire. Our youngest litter – Varjak, Jay, Jethro and Jerome – have hardly seen her. They barely even know what she looks like. She would only let that happen if she was ill, very ill. And now this Gentleman. What we saw today confirms my fears. The Contessa is gone.”
From: Varjak Paw by S. F. Said © 2003. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
“Yes, she’s probably gone somewhere,” said Father. “I’m sure she’ll be back. And in the meantime, her Gentleman friend is looking after us.” “He is not her friend,” said the Elder Paw. “I remember him. He came to this house years ago, before any of you were born. He and the Contessa had a terrible argument. He wanted to take us away, but she wouldn’t let him. She threw him out in the end, shouting and screaming.”
It was silent for a moment. Varjak saw Father’s eyes glint green in the dark. There was no light in the room but the crackling, flickering fire.
“This is absurd,” said Aunt Juni. She licked her plump paws confidently. “We’re pure-bred Mesopotamian Blues, the noblest of cats. Nothing bad can happen to us.”
From: Varjak Paw by S. F. Said © 2003. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Vocabulary
Explore
Hover for definitions!
family council
confirms
seldom
absurd
pure-bred
noblest
Explore
From: Varjak Paw by S. F. Said © 2003. 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
family council
Explore
Find Read Talk
Varjak was sitting quietly, on his own at the back, but his mind was burning. This was his first Family Council.
Reveal Vocabulary
From: Varjak Paw by S. F. Said © 2003. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
family council
Your turn
seldom
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
confirms
absurd
pure-bred
noblest
Use your text
Explore
Vocabulary Check & Re-read
Explore
Reveal Vocabulary
Varjak was sitting quietly, on his own at the back, but his mind was burning. This was his first Family Council.
From the Contessa’s red velvet armchair, where he stood, the Elder Paw began to speak. “The family tales tell us that when our ancestor Jalal came out of Mesopotamia, he wandered the earth for many years, before finding a home with the Contessa. Generations of paws have lived in this house since Jalal’s time. But those days may be coming to an end. I believe the Contessa is dead.”
The older cats gasped. They shot strange looks at one another, and shook their heads. A log crackled loudly in the fireplace.
The Elder Paw waited until it was quiet again to continue. “She has seldom left her room of late, only to feed us and tend the fire. Our youngest litter – Varjak, Jay, Jethro and Jerome – have hardly seen her. They barely even know what she looks like. She would only let that happen if she was ill, very ill. And now this Gentleman. What we saw today confirms my fears. The Contessa is gone.”
Explore
From: Varjak Paw by S. F. Said © 2003. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Reveal Vocabulary
“Yes, she’s probably gone somewhere,” said Father. “I’m sure she’ll be back. And in the meantime, her Gentleman friend is looking after us.” “He is not her friend,” said the Elder Paw. “I remember him. He came to this house years ago, before any of you were born. He and the Contessa had a terrible argument. He wanted to take us away, but she wouldn’t let him. She threw him out in the end, shouting and screaming.”
It was silent for a moment. Varjak saw Father’s eyes glint green in the dark. There was no light in the room but the crackling, flickering fire.
“This is absurd,” said Aunt Juni. She licked her plump paws confidently. “We’re pure-bred Mesopotamian Blues, the noblest of cats. Nothing bad can happen to us.”
Explore
From: Varjak Paw by S. F. Said © 2003. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Fluency
Explore
Let me use my reader's voice...
“She has seldom left her room of late, only to feed us and tend the fire. Our youngest litter – Varjak, Jay, Jethro and Jerome – have hardly seen her. They barely even know what she looks like. She would only let that happen if she was ill, very ill. And now this Gentleman. What we saw today confirms my fears. The Contessa is gone.”
What did you notice?
Volume
Pace
Smoothness
Phrasing
Expression
Explore
From: Varjak Paw by S. F. Said © 2003. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
My Turn
Your Turn
Echo Read
“She has seldom left her room of late, only to feed us and tend the fire.”
“Our youngest litter – Varjak, Jay, Jethro and Jerome – have hardly seen her.”
“They barely even know what she looks like.”
“She would only let that happen if she was ill, very ill.”
“And now this Gentleman.”
“What we saw today confirms my fears.”
“The Contessa is gone.”
Explore
From: Varjak Paw by S. F. Said © 2003. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Sound like a reader!
Stand up!
Choral Read
“She has seldom left her room of late, only to feed us and tend the fire. Our youngest litter – Varjak, Jay, Jethro and Jerome – have hardly seen her. They barely even know what she looks like. She would only let that happen if she was ill, very ill. And now this Gentleman. What we saw today confirms my fears. The Contessa is gone.”
Explore
From: Varjak Paw by S. F. Said © 2003. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Strategy Focus
Explore
Strategy: Read Between the Lines
A) What clues suggest the Contessa is no longer safe or well?
Be a detective and look for clues!
Teach
Let me show you
Reveal Text Marks
The family tales tell us that when our ancestor Jalal came out of Mesopotamia, he wandered the earth for many years, before finding a home with the Contessa. Generations of paws have lived in this house since Jalal’s time. But those days may be coming to an end. I believe the Contessa is dead.”
A) What clues suggest the Contessa is no longer safe or well?
Reveal Explainer
This shows that the family of Mesopotamian Blues have lived with the Contessa for many years. The Elder Paw thinks the family may not be able to remain at the house much longer. His conclusion that the Contessa must be dead suggests that the Elder Paw no longer believes the she is safe.
Teach
From: Varjak Paw by S. F. Said © 2003. 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) What clues suggest the Contessa is no longer safe or well?
B) How does the family react to what the Elder Paw says at the Family Council?
Pairedreading first
Find the answers
Text mark
Explore
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence she has seldom left her room of late, only to feed us and tend the fire
Contessa rarely leaves her bedroom
Text Mark Evidence - our youngest litter…have hardly seen her (Contessa) - they (kittens) barely even know what she (Contessa) looks like…she would only let that happen if she was ill, very ill
Contessa has spent little time with the kittens
A) What clues suggest the Contessa is no longer safe or well?
Text Mark Evidence now this Gentleman…what we saw today confirms my fears…the Contessa is gone
the man arrives
Text Mark Evidence - he is not her friend…I remember him - he and the Contessa had a terrible argument - he wanted to take us away, but she wouldn’t let him - she threw him out in the end, shouting and screaming
Elder Paw recalls a fight between the Contessa and the man
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence - the older cats gasped - they shot strange looks at one another, and shook their heads
older cats react with shock and disbelief at the suggestion the Contessa is dead
Text Mark Evidence yes, she’s probably gone somewhere…I’m sure she’ll be back
Father suggests a reasonable explanation for her absence
B) How does the family react to what the Elder Paw says at the Family Council?
Text Mark Evidence she probably gone somewhere… and in the meantime, her Gentleman friend is looking after us
Father trusts the Gentleman and tries to reassure the others
Text Mark Evidence this is absurd
Aunt Juni thinks the idea is ridiculous
Aunt Juni is confident nothing is wrong
Text Mark Evidence this is absurd…she licked her plump paws confidently
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Text Mark Evidence we’re pure-bred Mesopotamian Blues…nothing bad can happen to us
Aunt Juni believes they are too special to be in danger
Practise & Apply
Quiz Time
Start
Picture Me
Which image is the best match for ‘pure-bred’?
True or False?
Aunt Juni believes the cats are safe because they are pure-bred and noble.
False
True
Fill the Gaps
noblest
pure-bred
absurd
“This is ,” said Aunt Juni. She licked her plump paws confidently. “We’reMesopotamian Blues, the of cats. Nothing bad can happen to us.”
Discuss then check
Click if correct
Match Me
Match each word with its correct definition:
3) absurd
4) noblest
1) seldom
2) confirms
A) proves
B) rarely
C) most honourable
D) ridiculous
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...
spot themes.
Reveal
Look for big ideas or lessons the story might be teaching.
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: Varjak Paw by S. F. Said © 2003 Schools must purchase the original text for full content.
absurd
pure-bred
noblest
RSRT Y3 L2 Varjak Paw
Literacy Counts
Created on March 19, 2026
Start designing with a free template
Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:
View
Essential Business Proposal
View
Project Roadmap Timeline
View
Step-by-Step Timeline: How to Develop an Idea
View
Artificial Intelligence History Timeline
View
Microlearning: Teaching Innovation with AI
View
Microlearning: Design Learning Modules
View
Video: Responsible Use of Social Media and Internet
Explore all templates
Transcript
Ready Steady Read Together
Varjak Paw: Fiction Lesson 2
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?
“We’re pure-bred Mesopotamian Blues, the noblest of cats. Nothing bad can happen to us.”
How might this extract link to the illustration?
Explore
From: Varjak Paw by S. F. Said © 2003. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Today's Question(s)
A) What clues suggest the Contessa is no longer safe or well?
B) How does the family react to what the Elder Paw says at the Family Council?
Explore
Let me read today's text
Follow as I read
Explore
Varjak was sitting quietly, on his own at the back, but his mind was burning. This was his first Family Council. From the Contessa’s red velvet armchair, where he stood, the Elder Paw began to speak. “The family tales tell us that when our ancestor Jalal came out of Mesopotamia, he wandered the earth for many years, before finding a home with the Contessa. Generations of paws have lived in this house since Jalal’s time. But those days may be coming to an end. I believe the Contessa is dead.” The older cats gasped. They shot strange looks at one another, and shook their heads. A log crackled loudly in the fireplace. The Elder Paw waited until it was quiet again to continue. “She has seldom left her room of late, only to feed us and tend the fire. Our youngest litter – Varjak, Jay, Jethro and Jerome – have hardly seen her. They barely even know what she looks like. She would only let that happen if she was ill, very ill. And now this Gentleman. What we saw today confirms my fears. The Contessa is gone.”
From: Varjak Paw by S. F. Said © 2003. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
“Yes, she’s probably gone somewhere,” said Father. “I’m sure she’ll be back. And in the meantime, her Gentleman friend is looking after us.” “He is not her friend,” said the Elder Paw. “I remember him. He came to this house years ago, before any of you were born. He and the Contessa had a terrible argument. He wanted to take us away, but she wouldn’t let him. She threw him out in the end, shouting and screaming.” It was silent for a moment. Varjak saw Father’s eyes glint green in the dark. There was no light in the room but the crackling, flickering fire. “This is absurd,” said Aunt Juni. She licked her plump paws confidently. “We’re pure-bred Mesopotamian Blues, the noblest of cats. Nothing bad can happen to us.”
From: Varjak Paw by S. F. Said © 2003. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Vocabulary
Explore
Hover for definitions!
family council
confirms
seldom
absurd
pure-bred
noblest
Explore
From: Varjak Paw by S. F. Said © 2003. 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
family council
Explore
Find Read Talk
Varjak was sitting quietly, on his own at the back, but his mind was burning. This was his first Family Council.
Reveal Vocabulary
From: Varjak Paw by S. F. Said © 2003. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
family council
Your turn
seldom
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
confirms
absurd
pure-bred
noblest
Use your text
Explore
Vocabulary Check & Re-read
Explore
Reveal Vocabulary
Varjak was sitting quietly, on his own at the back, but his mind was burning. This was his first Family Council. From the Contessa’s red velvet armchair, where he stood, the Elder Paw began to speak. “The family tales tell us that when our ancestor Jalal came out of Mesopotamia, he wandered the earth for many years, before finding a home with the Contessa. Generations of paws have lived in this house since Jalal’s time. But those days may be coming to an end. I believe the Contessa is dead.” The older cats gasped. They shot strange looks at one another, and shook their heads. A log crackled loudly in the fireplace. The Elder Paw waited until it was quiet again to continue. “She has seldom left her room of late, only to feed us and tend the fire. Our youngest litter – Varjak, Jay, Jethro and Jerome – have hardly seen her. They barely even know what she looks like. She would only let that happen if she was ill, very ill. And now this Gentleman. What we saw today confirms my fears. The Contessa is gone.”
Explore
From: Varjak Paw by S. F. Said © 2003. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Reveal Vocabulary
“Yes, she’s probably gone somewhere,” said Father. “I’m sure she’ll be back. And in the meantime, her Gentleman friend is looking after us.” “He is not her friend,” said the Elder Paw. “I remember him. He came to this house years ago, before any of you were born. He and the Contessa had a terrible argument. He wanted to take us away, but she wouldn’t let him. She threw him out in the end, shouting and screaming.” It was silent for a moment. Varjak saw Father’s eyes glint green in the dark. There was no light in the room but the crackling, flickering fire. “This is absurd,” said Aunt Juni. She licked her plump paws confidently. “We’re pure-bred Mesopotamian Blues, the noblest of cats. Nothing bad can happen to us.”
Explore
From: Varjak Paw by S. F. Said © 2003. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Fluency
Explore
Let me use my reader's voice...
“She has seldom left her room of late, only to feed us and tend the fire. Our youngest litter – Varjak, Jay, Jethro and Jerome – have hardly seen her. They barely even know what she looks like. She would only let that happen if she was ill, very ill. And now this Gentleman. What we saw today confirms my fears. The Contessa is gone.”
What did you notice?
Volume
Pace
Smoothness
Phrasing
Expression
Explore
From: Varjak Paw by S. F. Said © 2003. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
My Turn
Your Turn
Echo Read
“She has seldom left her room of late, only to feed us and tend the fire.”
“Our youngest litter – Varjak, Jay, Jethro and Jerome – have hardly seen her.”
“They barely even know what she looks like.”
“She would only let that happen if she was ill, very ill.”
“And now this Gentleman.”
“What we saw today confirms my fears.”
“The Contessa is gone.”
Explore
From: Varjak Paw by S. F. Said © 2003. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Sound like a reader!
Stand up!
Choral Read
“She has seldom left her room of late, only to feed us and tend the fire. Our youngest litter – Varjak, Jay, Jethro and Jerome – have hardly seen her. They barely even know what she looks like. She would only let that happen if she was ill, very ill. And now this Gentleman. What we saw today confirms my fears. The Contessa is gone.”
Explore
From: Varjak Paw by S. F. Said © 2003. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Strategy Focus
Explore
Strategy: Read Between the Lines
A) What clues suggest the Contessa is no longer safe or well?
Be a detective and look for clues!
Teach
Let me show you
Reveal Text Marks
The family tales tell us that when our ancestor Jalal came out of Mesopotamia, he wandered the earth for many years, before finding a home with the Contessa. Generations of paws have lived in this house since Jalal’s time. But those days may be coming to an end. I believe the Contessa is dead.”
A) What clues suggest the Contessa is no longer safe or well?
Reveal Explainer
This shows that the family of Mesopotamian Blues have lived with the Contessa for many years. The Elder Paw thinks the family may not be able to remain at the house much longer. His conclusion that the Contessa must be dead suggests that the Elder Paw no longer believes the she is safe.
Teach
From: Varjak Paw by S. F. Said © 2003. 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) What clues suggest the Contessa is no longer safe or well?
B) How does the family react to what the Elder Paw says at the Family Council?
Pairedreading first
Find the answers
Text mark
Explore
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence she has seldom left her room of late, only to feed us and tend the fire
Contessa rarely leaves her bedroom
Text Mark Evidence - our youngest litter…have hardly seen her (Contessa) - they (kittens) barely even know what she (Contessa) looks like…she would only let that happen if she was ill, very ill
Contessa has spent little time with the kittens
A) What clues suggest the Contessa is no longer safe or well?
Text Mark Evidence now this Gentleman…what we saw today confirms my fears…the Contessa is gone
the man arrives
Text Mark Evidence - he is not her friend…I remember him - he and the Contessa had a terrible argument - he wanted to take us away, but she wouldn’t let him - she threw him out in the end, shouting and screaming
Elder Paw recalls a fight between the Contessa and the man
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence - the older cats gasped - they shot strange looks at one another, and shook their heads
older cats react with shock and disbelief at the suggestion the Contessa is dead
Text Mark Evidence yes, she’s probably gone somewhere…I’m sure she’ll be back
Father suggests a reasonable explanation for her absence
B) How does the family react to what the Elder Paw says at the Family Council?
Text Mark Evidence she probably gone somewhere… and in the meantime, her Gentleman friend is looking after us
Father trusts the Gentleman and tries to reassure the others
Text Mark Evidence this is absurd
Aunt Juni thinks the idea is ridiculous
Aunt Juni is confident nothing is wrong
Text Mark Evidence this is absurd…she licked her plump paws confidently
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Text Mark Evidence we’re pure-bred Mesopotamian Blues…nothing bad can happen to us
Aunt Juni believes they are too special to be in danger
Practise & Apply
Quiz Time
Start
Picture Me
Which image is the best match for ‘pure-bred’?
True or False?
Aunt Juni believes the cats are safe because they are pure-bred and noble.
False
True
Fill the Gaps
noblest
pure-bred
absurd
“This is ,” said Aunt Juni. She licked her plump paws confidently. “We’reMesopotamian Blues, the of cats. Nothing bad can happen to us.”
Discuss then check
Click if correct
Match Me
Match each word with its correct definition:
3) absurd
4) noblest
1) seldom
2) confirms
A) proves
B) rarely
C) most honourable
D) ridiculous
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...
spot themes.
Reveal
Look for big ideas or lessons the story might be teaching.
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: Varjak Paw by S. F. Said © 2003 Schools must purchase the original text for full content.
absurd
pure-bred
noblest