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Whole School Story

The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Rauf

Chapter 1 The Empty Chair - Click Here

Chapter 1
Vocabulary	What is stationery? What does it mean if someone is ‘willing’ to do something? Define ‘ingenious’ and ‘insightful’.
Detective Thinking - Infer	Why does the narrator like stationery? Find evidence that Josie is kind. Why might the knock at the door have worried the class? Why did the children all fall silent? Why doesn’t anyone want to sit next to Clarissa?
Predict	Predict how Ahmet will change life for the friends.
Explain	Why do you think the author chose to point out it wasn’t a special chair? Why did the author include a picture of the chair?
Detective Thinking - Retrieval	What type of stationery does the narrator buy? What subject does the narrator not like? Who are the narrator’s three friends? Who is the narrator’s teacher? What does Mrs Sanders point at? Why is the chair empty? Who sits in the chair? How does the narrator plan to befriend Ahmet?
Summarise	Summarise the narrator in one word and explain your choice of word.

Chapter 2 The Boy with the Lion Eyes - Click Here

Chapter 2

Vocabulary	What does it mean to ‘sneak glances’? What’s the difference between a whisper and a mutter? What is a submarine? What does it mean if you motion to someone?
Detective Thinking - Infer	Why do you think Tom thought there was something wrong with her? Why do people think there’s something wrong with Ahmet? Do you think Jenny’s story is trustworthy? Why? Why do you think Ahmet took a step back from her?
Predict	Predict whether Ahmet will become friends with the children.
Explain	How does the chapter get its title?
Detective Thinking - Retrieval	What does the boy hold during PE? Draw the rucksack from the description? How did they know Ahmet knew they were taking about him? Why does Clarissa assume Ahmet isn’t very good at writing? What does the narrator offer Ahmet?
Summarise	Summarise your initial thoughts of Ahmet in fewer than 100 words.

Chapter 3 Forty Winks

Vocabulary	What does ‘forty winks’ generally mean? What does it mean to narrow your eyes? Define ‘rascal’. What are ‘rumours’?
Detective Thinking - Infer	Why did she look like she needed a doctor? Why do you think Ahmet’s plant made him happy? Why do you think Mrs Khan smiled at the note?
Predict	Predict what seclusion is.
Explain	Do you think Mrs Khan is a good teacher? Why?
Detective Thinking - Retrieval	What did the narrator do to the new boy every day? What was Mrs Khan teaching the children about? Who is the school bully? What rumours spread about Ahmet?
Summarise	Summarise the events of this chapter in fewer than thirty words.

Chapter 4 What Mr Brown and Mrs Grimsby said

Chapter 5 The Refugee Kid

Trying out a sound file today!

RJS · Chapter 5

Vocabulary	What is a carpenter? What is a record player? What is supper? Define ‘blurt’. What is a refugee?
Detective Thinking - Infer	Why does think Mum has to work so much? Why do you think Uncle Lenny didn’t let Mum sell the record player? Why do you think Mum stopped what she was doing? Why do you think Mum waited a long time to talk? Why isn’t Dena a refugee kid?
Predict	Predict how the boy will answer the questions.
Explain	What does the picture of Dad add to this chapter?
Detective Thinking - Retrieval	Why did the girl stay awake? What two jobs does Mum have? How did Dad die? How can she tell who is at the door? What memento of her Dad does she keep, other than the record player? How many questions does she have for the new boy?
Summarise	Summarise the girl and her mum’s conversation in fewer than forty words.

Chapter 6 The Woman in the Silver Scarf

RJS · The Boy at the back of the Class - Chapter 6

	Chapter 6
Vocabulary	Define ‘icky’.
	Define ‘rot’. Why would you frown to yourself?
Detective Thinking - Infer	Why will the girl never forget the castle? Why does Ahmet finally say thank you?
Predict	Predict who the woman in the silver scarf might be. Predict what Brendan the Bully will do.
Explain	How does this chapter make you feel about Ahmet? Why?
Detective Thinking - Retrieval	When did she tell her friends about the Refugee Kids? How has each parent responded differently? Why did she think Ahmet found his new uniform itchy? Who has appeared in the class? What is the new adults name? What game do they want Ahmet to play with them? Which country is Ahmet from?
Summarise	Summarise the events of this chapter in fewer than thirty words.

Chapter 7 Mr Irons' nose

RJS · Chapter 7

	Chapter 7
Vocabulary	What does ‘protested’ mean? Define ‘rooted to the spot’. Where do you think this phrase comes from?
Detective Thinking - Infer	Why did Tom only know American football? Why were they surprised that Ahmet was good at football? Why does Josie swallow nervously? What impression do you get of Mr Irons? How does Brendan get the children into trouble? How did the children know Mr Irons didn’t like them? Why did Mr Irons give the football back?
Predict	Predict what Brendan the Bully will do next.
Explain	Why is this chapter called ‘Mr Irons’ nose’?
Detective Thinking - Retrieval	What did Ahmet do for the first time? Under what circumstances would the children need to find Ms Hemsi? What were people saying about Ahmet being allowed out? Why doesn’t Ahmet answer Mr Irons?
Summarise	Summarise the events of this chapter in fewer than twenty-five words.

Chapter 8 The Unexpected Adventure

RJS · Chapter 8

	Chapter 8
Vocabulary	What does it mean to be patient? What are dimples? What does it mean to be ‘kept on your toes’? What is the ‘paaaaan’ referred to in this chapter?
Detective Thinking - Infer	Why can’t they ring Aunty Selma? Why does the girl want a pomegranate? Why do you think Mum endorses the pomegranate hunt? What is the adventure referred to in the title? Why was Mum nice to Frank? What does this tell you about her? Why do you think the man went and got the older pomegranates?
Predict	Predict what the unexpected adventure will be.
Explain	How did the author build tension in this chapter?
Detective Thinking - Retrieval	Why is she asking her mum some of the questions? Which day did she ask? How does mum show her where Syria is? Why doesn’t mum want to buy a pomegranate? Why didn’t the man make them pay for the pomegranates?
Summarise	Summarise why the narrator wanted to find pomegranates in fewer than 40 words.

Chapter 9 The Big Fight

RJS · Chapter 9

Can you answer these questions after listening to Chapter 9?

Vocabulary

What is a sneer?

What does ‘whipped’ tell you about how Brendan was moving the pomegranate.

What was the narrator trying to say when she said ‘I’ve said my piece’?

Detective Thinking - Retrieval

Why does the narrator like pomegranates so much?

Why doesn’t Ms Hemsi come out any more?

Why does Ahmet smile?

Why did Ahmet punch Brendan?

Why will Ahmet be famous?

Predict

Predict why there will be a big fight.

Predict why Ahmet will become famous.

Explain

Why is the picture included in this chapter?

Detective Thinking - Retrieval

What does Brendan take off Ahmet?

Who breaks up the fight?

What happened to the pomegranate?

Gist

Summarise why the fight happened by telling Mr Irons from the narrator’s perspective, in fewer than fifty words.

Chapter 10 War and Missing Pieces

Click on 10.1 first and then listen to 10.2 second (there was a bit of a technological issue during recording!!)

RJS · Chapter 10

	Chapter 10
Vocabulary	What is ‘ransom money’? Define ‘scowl’.
Detective Thinking - Infer	Why does Brendan scowl more than ever? Who do the children suspect is doing nasty things to Ahmet? Why couldn’t they prove it was Brendan? Why do you think Ahmet likes his bag so much? Why do Ahmet’s eyes become watery? Why do you think the children didn’t clap as loudly as normal? Why doesn’t Mrs Khan want the children to ask Ahmet questions about the war?
Predict	Predict whether any of the attitudes of Brendan and his friends will now change towards Ahmet.
Explain	What do Ahmet’s drawings tell you about him?
Detective Thinking - Retrieval	What do people start to call Ahmet? Why did Ahmet get a golden star? What happened to Ahmet’s pot? What was in Ahmet’s tray? What were in Ahmet’s backpack? Who was missing from the boat picture? Where was the first place that the boat took Ahmet?
Gist	Summarise Ahmet’s story in fewer than 70 words.

Chapter 11 The Game of Scrabble

	Chapter 11
Vocabulary	Define ‘blustery’. What does the word ‘tyke’ mean?
Detective Thinking - Infer	Find evidence that the two of them don’t want Jacob and the aunt to come to the house? Why does the narrator hide her toys when Jacob comes over? What makes her smile? Why do Mum and Uncle Lenny look up sharply? Why does Uncle Lenny say ‘all yours’?
Predict	Predict if the narrator will tell her friends about her grandmother.
Explain	Why does the author italicise ‘immediately’? What is the twist in this chapter? Why do you think it was included?
Detective Thinking - Retrieval	What does Josie suggest doing with the questions? How many questions does she have now? What has Uncle Lenny cooked? What is Uncle Lenny’s job? What does Uncle Lenny call Ahmet? Where did the grandma run away from?
Gist	Summarise the story of the grandma in fewer than sixty words.

RJS · Chapter 11

Chapter 12 Syrah and the Sea

RJS · Chapter 12

	Chapter 12
Vocabulary	What is a raft?
Detective Thinking - Infer	Why do you think nobody kept their promise to Mrs Khan? Why didn’t Mr Irons say anything to Victor? Why was she surprised that Ahmet recognised Tintin? What happened to Syrah?
Predict	Predict why she was forced to break her promise?
Explain	How did this chapter make you feel? Why?
Detective Thinking - Retrieval	What was Ahmet now famous for? What are Messengers? How did Brendan react to Ahmet’s story? Why isn’t Ahmet’s dad with him?
Gist	Choose one word to sum up this chapter and explain your choice of word.

Chapter 13 - The Something That Changed Everything

RJS · Chapter 13

	Chapter 13
Vocabulary	What does it mean to drift off? What is gurgling? What is a racist? What is tutting?
Detective Thinking - Infer	Why do you think she couldn’t sleep? Why was her heart beating really fast? Why don’t the children invite Ahmet to their meeting? Why do you think Ms Hemsi thinks it’s a very good thing that Ahmet spoke about his sister?
Predict	Predict what the something that changed everything will be.
Explain	Why does the author capitalise immediately and emergency?
Detective Thinking - Retrieval	Why weren’t her friends on the bus with her? What do the people on the bus say might happen to refugees? What story were they studying in class? Where do the children meet? Who is the deputy head teacher? Who is the woman in the red scarf?
Summarise	Summarise the events of this chapter in fewer than forty words.

Chapter 14 - The Three Plans

RJS · Chapter 14

	Chapter 14
Vocabulary	What is a ‘government’? What is an ‘appeal’?
Detective Thinking - Infer	Do you think the Prime Minister has heard of Ahmet? Why? Why were they excited about the last plan? Why does Josie’s face turn pink? Why does the narrator feel the worst?
Predict	Predict what the three plans are. Predict if the narrator will come up with a plan.
Explain	Why did the author include spelling mistakes in the letters?
Detective Thinking - Retrieval	Who did Tom write to? Why doesn’t Michael think Tom’s plan will work? Who did Josie want to ring? Why doesn’t Tom think Josie’s plan will work? Who does Michael want to write to? Who is the librarian?
Summarise	Summarise the third plan in fewer than twenty words.

Chapter 15 - The Greatest Idea in the World

RJS · Chapter 15

	Chapter 15
Vocabulary	What does ‘pitch black’ mean? Define ‘tiptoed’.
Detective Thinking - Infer	Why do you think she had that nightmare? Why does she think it’s such a good idea?
Predict	Predict what the greatest idea in the world is.
Explain	Explain what the picture shows. Predict what trouble the letter might get them in.
Detective Thinking - Retrieval	Why does she like working in the kitchen? When is the ‘Magic Hour’? What animals had they found in the kitchen wall?
Summarise	Summarise the greatest idea in fewer than forty words.

Chapter 16 - The Royal Letter

RJS · Chapter 16

	Chapter 16
Vocabulary	Define ‘eagerly’. What are ‘duties’? Define ‘reassuringly’. Define ‘anxiously’.
Detective Thinking - Infer	Why are the children so excited? Why do the children think they might meet the queen? Why do the children lie to Ahmet? Why did the afternoon feel so long? Why does she tell the queen about Syrah?
Predict	Predict if the queen will get the letter.
Explain	Should the narrator have told the Queen about Syrah? Why do you think this? Do you think the plan is good? Explain your answer.
Detective Thinking - Retrieval	Why does she think the queen will definitely get the letter? Why does the narrator write the letter? How do they address the queen in the letter? Why do they use purple?
Summarise	Choose one word to describe the plan and explain your choice of word.

Chapter 17 - The Emergency Plan

RJS · Chapter 17

	Chapter 17
Vocabulary	Define ‘regaining your balance’. Define ‘expelled’.
Detective Thinking - Infer	How was she feeling after she posted the letter? How do those feeling change across the week and why? Why do they need an emergency plan? What is the emergency plan? Why is Josie the one who won’t be going?
Predict	Predict if the children will meet the queen.
Explain	What does the picture show?
Detective Thinking - Retrieval	What does Michael walk into? Where did the narrator’s family take her? Why does Ahmet show the children his bag? Which two will try and meet the queen?
Summarise	Summarise the emergency plan in fewer than thirty words.

Welcome back after half - term are you ready for......

Chapter 18 - Stan the Taxi Man

RJS · Chapter 18

	Chapter 18
Vocabulary	Define ‘exact’. She calls it the ‘used-less drawer’. What would Mum’s actual name for it be? Define ‘eagerly’. What does ‘chauffeuring’ mean?
Detective Thinking - Infer	Why did she look puffy like a blowfish? Why are the children delivering the excuse to Mrs Khan and not the parents? Why do you think Tom says the tube is good? Why do you think the taxi driver doesn’t charge them?
Predict	Predict if the children will meet the queen.
Explain	Why does the author italicise ‘exact’? Why does the author write ‘beh-er’ on the final page?
Detective Thinking - Retrieval	How could she tell Tom hadn’t slept much? What present did Tom bring for the queen? How much money did the children have? What excuse did the children send to Mrs Khan? Why do they eat the queen’s biscuits? What excuse do they give to the taxi driver?
Summarise	Describe the plan in one word and explain your choice of word.

Chapter 19 - The Queen's Palace

RJS · Chapter 19

	Chapter 19
Vocabulary	What does ‘zigzagged’ tell you about the way they moved? Define ‘shimmering’. Define ‘clambering’.
Detective Thinking - Infer	Why are there so many police? Why do they think something is happening? ‘I felt as though I was running underwater’ – what could this mean? What happens at the end of the chapter?
Predict	Predict what will happen next.
Explain	What impression of Buckingham Palace does the picture give you? Research the changing of the guard and see if you think this chapter gives an accurate portrayal of it.
Detective Thinking - Retrieval	Why do the guards say ‘hut’? What time is it? What could the children hear in the distance?
Summarise	Summarise the events of this chapter in fewer than fifty words.

Chapter 20 The Cold Stream Guards

RJS · Chapter 20

	Chapter 20
Vocabulary	What is a ‘blur’? What is ‘combat’? What is ‘concussion’?
Detective Thinking - Infer	Why was Tom crying?
	Why doesn’t she want to go to hospital? Why might the children be famous? Why couldn’t she eat the biscuit?
Predict	Predict how their parents will react?
Explain	This is the first time we learn for definite that the main character is a girl. How has not knowing affected the story?
Detective Thinking - Retrieval	What was the name of the paramedic? Who is going to take the children home and how? Where is the Queen? What is a Coldstream Guard?
Summarise	Give one word to describe how the adults felt about the children and explain your choice.

Chapter 21 The Neighbours and the News

RJS1 · Chapter 21

	Chapter 21
Vocabulary	What is a reporter? Define ‘hesitated’. Define ‘formal’. What is bigotry? Define ‘transpired’.
Detective Thinking - Infer	Why did Mum hug her tight? Why does Mr Rashid’s voice go heavy and wobbly? Why does Mum’s face go white? How did Stan make Mum laugh?
Predict	Predict what the response will be from Buckingham Palace.
Explain	Why does the author capitalise Deep Thought?
Detective Thinking - Retrieval	Why was the girl confused? Why did Mrs Gillingham know what was happening? Why does Mum not say hello to Mr Greggs? How does the girl look different to her peers?
Summarise	Summarise the events of this chapter in fewer than thirty words.

Chapter 22 World Wide Whisper

RJS1 · Chapter 22 World Wide Whispers

	Chapter 22
Vocabulary	Define ‘scruples’. What does ‘huddled’ mean? Define ‘passionate’. Define ‘winced’.
Detective Thinking - Infer	Why did Mum walk her to the bus stop?
	Why don’t the parents want the children to look at any newspapers? Why do you think Mrs Khan was upset? Why do you think Mr Irons didn’t meet the children?
Predict	Predict if anyone will find Ahmet’s family.
Explain	Why do you believe no one was angry at the children? Do you think it was ok that they broke Mum’s promise?
Detective Thinking - Retrieval	When’s the only other time Tom’s dad cheered? What are the children instructed to say if anyone asks them questions? How does Mrs Sanders react to the reporters? Who is teaching first period? What has the newspaper done?
Summarise	Summarise the newspaper article in fewer than twenty words.

Chapter 23 Brendan the Bully and the Breaking News

RJS1 · Chapter 23 Brendan The Bully And The Breaking News

	Chapter 23
Vocabulary	What is a ‘radar’? What is ‘clenching your fists’.
Detective Thinking - Infer	What is a Rollercoaster Day? Why do you think Brendan came up with the song? How did Brendan get caught? What do you think happened to Mr Irons and why? How did school improve for the children?
Predict	Predict how Brendan will feature in this chapter.
Explain	Do you think Brendan and Mr Irons got what they deserved? Why?
Detective Thinking - Retrieval	Why did everyone have to leave everything on their desks? What was the assembly for? What ways did the children think they should get Brendan back?
Summarise	Summarise what happened to Brendan in fewer than forty words.

Chapter 24 The Interview

RJS1 · Chapter 24 The Interview

	Chapter 24
Vocabulary	What is a rung? What’s the difference between fewer and less?
Detective Thinking - Infer	Why was the girl worried? Why do they start to say ‘maybe’ to Ahmet? Why did Mr Fry lie about Ahmet? Why does Mum want her to do an interview? Why do you think Mum was proud of her?
Predict	Predict how the interview will affect the story.
Explain	Do you think the interview was a good thing to do? Why?
Detective Thinking - Retrieval	What man do the children get asked about? What food does Mum make her? Who is Mr Fry? What is the name of Ahmet’s case worker? How long was the interview?
Summarise	Summarise the interview by writing it on less than a side of A4.

Chapter 25 The Queen's Message

RJS1 · Chapter 25 The Queen’s Message

	Chapter 25
Vocabulary	What’s a headline? What is ‘EIIR’? What does it mean to do something on someone’s behalf? Define ‘plight’?
Detective Thinking - Infer	Why do you think the children assume they are in trouble? Why was there a wax blob on the letter?
Predict	Predict what the Queen’s message will be. Predict if the children will go for tea with the Queen.
Explain	Did you like this chapter? Why?
Detective Thinking - Retrieval	On which day could they not find Ahmet? Who is teaching first period? Who was in Mrs Sanders’ office? What does the Queen invite the children to do?
Summarise	Summarise the events of this chapter in fewer than thirty words.

Chapter 26 The Present

RJS1 · Chapter 26 The Present

	Chapter 26
Vocabulary	Define ‘possession, depression and objection’. Define ‘asylum’.
Detective Thinking - Infer	Why is Ahmet teaching her Kurdish words? Why does Aunt Christina make more of an effort now? Why doesn’t she make a big deal out of her birthday? Why does Ahmet want to take his rucksack?
Predict	Predict who the special guests are. If there was a sequel to this book, predict what it would be about.
Explain	Did you like this book? Why?
Detective Thinking - Retrieval	How long has it been since they got the letter from the Queen? What present does she buy for the Queen? Who were the special guests? What was in the envelope?
Summarise	Summarise the whole story in fewer than 100 words.

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