Synthesising Leadership: Building New Understanding

Year 6 Literacy Lesson Combining ideas to create new meaning

What Makes Someone a Good Leader?

Think silently for 30 seconds Turn and talk to a partner Share one idea with the class

What Is Synthesising?

Synthesising = What I already know + New information → New understanding When we synthesise, our thinking changes We don't just repeat facts—we form new ideas Our understanding grows and develops

Leadership Synthesis Example

Before: 'Leaders are people in charge.' After synthesising: 'Leaders influence others and make positive change, even if they aren't officially in charge.'

Teacher Modelling: Nelson Mandela

Text: 'Nelson Mandela showed leadership by standing up for fairness and equality, even when it was dangerous. He listened to others and worked towards peace rather than revenge.' Before reading: 'Leaders are powerful people who give instructions' After reading: 'Good leaders show fairness and make difficult choices for others'

Synthesising Chart

Guided Practice: Partner Work

Read your non-fiction text about a leader Complete the Synthesising Frame together Discuss: How is your thinking changing? What do these ideas tell you about leadership?

Synthesising Frame Questions

{"left":"What did we already think about leaders?\nWhat new information did we learn from this text?","right":"What is our new understanding of leadership?\nHow has our thinking changed?"}

Reflection Time

Before this lesson, I thought a leader was... Now I understand that a leader... Share one new understanding about leadership

Success! You Can Synthesise

✓ You identified key ideas from non-fiction texts ✓ You combined new information with prior knowledge ✓ You explained how your understanding changed ✓ You created new understanding about effective leadership