This Year 5 comparison sheet sets traditional heroes against modern heroes. Pupils sort nine statements, lettered A to I, into a Venn diagram with an overlap for traits the two kinds of hero share. The statements run from a magical sword and a secret royal birth to a mobile phone used to solve clues. It links to the England National Curriculum reading objectives on comparing books. The answer key gives the correct region for every letter.
Reading - comprehension
“Increasing their familiarity with a wide range of books, including myths, legends and traditional stories, modern fiction, fiction from our literary heritage, and books from other cultures and traditions”
The statements set quest tales with royal heroes next to modern fiction about school life, so pupils draw on both kinds of story.
Reading - comprehension
“Making comparisons within and across books”
The whole diagram is a comparison, with the overlap kept for shared traits like a loyal sidekick or growing braver over time.
Pupils read statements such as 'Worries about normal problems, like fitting in at school' and write each letter in the correct part of the diagram.
The key puts A, E and H with traditional heroes, C, G and I with modern heroes, and B, D and F in the overlap.
After a myths unit
Use it once the class has read a legend and a modern novel. Pupils can test each statement against the two books.
Card sort
Cut the nine statements into cards. Pairs argue over where each one goes before they write the letters.
Character writing
Ask pupils to take one statement from each side and invent a hero who combines them.
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