Exploring and engaging with themes in 'Mirror' | English

Starter quiz

Match the following words to their definitions.
- character
  
  ⇔
  
  a person or an animal in a story ✓
- setting
  
  ⇔
  
  where the story takes place ✓
- plot
  
  ⇔
  
  what happens in the story ✓
True or false? The Moroccan story is set in the Valley of the Roses.
- True ✓
- False
Which characters in 'Mirror' head to the market/hardware store?
- father ✓
- mother
- son ✓
- baby sibling
- grandparent
Match the types of connections to their definitions.
- text-to-text
  
  ⇔
  
  relates to another text or story ✓
- text-to-self
  
  ⇔
  
  relates to personal experiences, feelings or thoughts ✓
- text-to-world
  
  ⇔
  
  relates to events and issues in the real world ✓
Which languages is 'Mirror' written in?
- Arabic ✓
- French
- English ✓
- Spanish
What is a suitable definition of a theme?
- the first section of a story where the writer describes the setting & characters
- a person’s reasons for doing something
- a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a text ✓

Exit quiz

Match the following keywords to their definitions.
- afterword
  
  ⇔
  
  a concluding section providing additional insights or reflections ✓
- theme
  
  ⇔
  
  a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a text ✓
- convey
  
  ⇔
  
  to communicate a message to the reader directly or indirectly ✓
What changes have happened in the homes of the Moroccan and Australian families?
- The fireplace has been finished in the Western story. ✓
- The table has been finished in the Western story.
- A computer is now set up in the Moroccan story. ✓
- A new table has been bought in the Moroccan story.
Put the following events from the resolutions in both stories in chronological order.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  The father and son return home.
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  The father enjoys a cup of tea.
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  The family sit down to eat a meal together.
Which objects appear in both stories?
- a pink flower ✓
- adobe buildings
- a carpet ✓
- an airport
True or false? There are no connections between the stories.
- True
- False ✓
Which of the following themes are conveyed in 'Mirror'?
- life and death
- betrayal
- family ✓
- community ✓
- culture and traditions ✓

Worksheet

Loading worksheet ...

Presentation

Loading presentation ...

Lesson Details

Key learning points

In 'Mirror' the afterword describes why Jeannie Baker was inspired to make the text and how she created the artwork.
A theme is a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story.
Readers can interpret their own big idea or message from a narrative; readers may interpret a text in different ways.
Settings and events depicted in the book contribute to the boys’ sense of identity and belonging.
Culture and traditions in each setting are conveyed through unique clothing, architecture, food and daily activities.

Common misconception

Pupils may find it challenging to reflect on a character's identity and sense of belonging in Task B.

Explain to pupils that identity and belonging can be shown through the boys' character traits, their relationships with their families and the actions they perform.

Keywords

Afterword - a concluding section providing additional insights or reflections after the main content
Theme - a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a text
Convey - to communicate a message to the reader directly or indirectly
Identity - understanding who you are and your place within the world