This half term, Year 5 have begun exploring a thought-provoking new text, The Island by Armin Greder.
From the very first page, this gripping story has sparked deep discussion and reflection within our classroom.
Before opening the book, the children were asked to make predictions about the story based on its title alone. Many imagined tropical beaches, palm trees, and exotic adventures. However, they were quickly surprised when the stark and sombre cover was revealed—followed by the powerful, mysterious blurb. This contrast led to a wonderful class conversation about how titles and first impressions can be misleading, and how important it is to keep an open mind as readers.
We then used our inference skills to explore how the islanders might be feeling when a mysterious man washes up on the shore of their isolated island. The children also considered how the man might feel, being treated so differently by the people he encounters. Their responses demonstrated great empathy, insight, and a growing awareness of themes such as belonging, fear, and difference.
We have now read up to a dramatic moment in the story, where a woman suddenly screams. This reaction led to a flurry of fascinating predictions from the class, as they pieced together clues from the text and illustrations to suggest why she might have responded in such a way.
It has been wonderful to see the children so engaged in meaningful discussion and thoughtful analysis. We are excited to see where the story takes us next and what questions it will continue to raise.
