How to be a lion by Ed Vere

Year 2 lesson plan

Text: How to be a lion by Ed Vere

Lesson plan by Andrew Moffat / equalitiesprimary.com

Learning Intention: To have self-confidence

Success Criteria: I know  we are all different / I know sometimes it’s hard to be different / I know what self-confidence means / I know how I help someone feel confident

Starter: Show the children the front cover of the book. How do you think Lions are expected to behave? If this book was an instruction manual for lions, what would be the first three, most important instructions?

Main: Read “How to be a lion” all the way through. At the end discuss: -       How is Leonard different? -       Look at the page where Leonard and Marianne walk together; what can we learn from these animals? -       How do you think Leonard feels when the other lions come prowling around? -       Why are the other lions so angry towards Leonard? -       Look at the page where Leonard walks away in the rain – how is he feeling? Why? -       How do you think Leonard feels when he goes back to speak to the other lions? -       “Why don’t you be you .. and I will be I.” what does Leonard mean?

Role play: Ask children to think of ways they are different to others in the classroom. Perhaps they like different foods or games; good at football, skipping, swimming, catching, maths, art; perhaps they look different or speak different languages. Once each child has found a "different" partner stand the children in a circle and ask each pair to meet in the middle one pair at a time. each pair to explain how they are different, then say together, "You be you and I'll be I - we both belong," and do a high five.

Activity: Show the page where Leonard has doubts; “Must I be fierce? Must I change?” Children draw the image and write their response to Leonard to help him feel confident. Encourage children to give examples in our school of ways we are different or unique, but we work together. Children could explain what No Outsiders means and how it relates to this story.

Plenary: Why does the author end the book with a question? What is the author trying to encourage the audience to do? How would you answer the question?

AFL questions: Why is this story about No Outsiders? If you see someone feeling unconfident or feeling like an outsider, how can you help?

See lesson plans and guidance to build your equality ethos in school: No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the Equality Act in primary schools by Andrew Moffat

Using parent / child workshops to strengthen community cohesion around school: Reclaiming radical ideas in schools: Preparing young children for life in modern Britain by Andrew Moffat