We love this book because it is:
a classic KS2 class text with lots of resources available online
about friendship, family & loyalty
about hope & survival
Learning opportunities:
Writing ~ imagine an event happening in Brazil and write about it in a ships log
Writing ~ write a chapter where Michael’s parents discover he is not on the boat
Writing ~ write a chapter from Kensuke’s point of view
History ~ research the history of Nagasaki & create a non-chronological report
Reading ~ how does the end of the story make the reader feel?
Geography ~ create a map of the island
PSHE ~ survival skills
PSHE ~ the football bring Michael joy. What item would bring you happiness if you were lost on a desert island?
ICT ~ create a news flash about Michael, the missing child
Art ~ create a painting in the style of Hokusai
Science ~ research the animals on the island and create a presentation about one of them
Language ~ looks at the Japanese alphabet and learn to write and say a few words in Japanese
Forest School ~ lighting a fire
DT ~ create a shelter to survive on a desert island