This engaging and comprehensive reading lesson develops children’s understanding of Chapter 4 - Dark is Necessary - of Jill Tomlinson’s The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark, whilst building their vocabulary and comprehension skills.

Through an illustrated slideshow, children explore Plop’s meeting with the little girl, retrieve key information and infer why her gift matters to him. They then examine how the writer uses descriptive language to bring the squirrel’s startled reaction to life.

The main task teaches children to write a point, evidence, explain paragraph. Through modelled responses, paired discussion and sentence starters, children select a short quotation and explain how similes and vivid verbs help the reader picture the squirrel’s appearance and movement.

The lesson includes:

• A retrieval starter revisiting Chapter 3, with suggested answers;
• Vocabulary activities with animated definitions;
• Six retrieval questions with answers;
• An inference question exploring Plop’s response to the girl’s gift, with a model answer;
• A structured introduction to point, evidence, explain paragraphs;
• A model response analysing the verb “flashed”;
• A choice of quotations and sentence starters for children’s own analysis;
• A deeper-thinking challenge comparing the effects of different word choices;
• A final learning review with self-assessment and an exit question.

Original illustrations feature throughout, with answers, suggested responses and teaching guidance provided in the slideshow notes. Children complete the main task in their books using support from the slides.

Ideal for whole-class or guided reading in upper KS1, particularly Year 2, with opportunities for paired discussion and supported independent writing. Children will need access to Chapter 4 of the novel.