Exploring the Cover

Overview

In this engaging first session of the six-lesson unit Malala’s Magical Imagination, Year 1 pupils will develop early literacy and critical thinking skills by observing, discussing, and predicting based on the front cover of Malala’s Magic Pencil. This lesson encourages curiosity, promotes vocabulary development, and nurtures imagination in line with the National Curriculum for England’s objectives for English.

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National Curriculum Links

Key Stage 1 - Year 1 English

• Reading – Word Reading & Comprehension

  • Apply phonic knowledge to decode regular words and read them aloud accurately
  • Develop pleasure in reading, motivation to read, and vocabulary through discussion about texts and illustrations
  • Discuss the significance of titles and illustrations in predicting story content

• Spoken Language

  • Participate in discussions, expressing ideas clearly and responding to others
  • Develop listening and attention skills in a group setting
  • Use relevant and precise vocabulary related to texts and story elements

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils will be able to:

1. Identify and name key elements on a book cover: title, author, and illustrations.
2. Use observational skills to describe what they see on the cover in detail.
3. Make reasonable predictions about the story based on title and images.
4. Participate actively in a group discussion, listening and responding to peers.
5. Use imaginative language when sharing their ideas.

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Resources Needed

• Large version of the book Malala’s Magic Pencil front cover (poster or projected)
• Individual copies or printed images of the cover for each pupil
• Whiteboard and markers
• Sticky notes or small cards for vocabulary words
• Paper and coloured pencils/crayons for drawing activities
• Name tags or speaking tokens to support turn-taking

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Timetable (45 minutes)

Activity	Time	Description
1. Starter: Listening & Observing	5 mins	Introduce cover, children quietly observe it.
2. Whole-class Discussion	15 mins	Guided questions discussing title, author, illustrations, predictions.
3. Vocabulary Exploration	8 mins	Highlight and explain new or challenging words from the cover.
4. Paired Talk & Draw	10 mins	Pupils discuss their own predictions and draw what they imagine happens in the story.
5. Sharing & Plenary	7 mins	Select pupils to explain their drawings and predictions; recap learning.

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Detailed Lesson Procedure

1. Starter – Observing the Cover (5 mins)

• Gather pupils on the carpet and display the large front cover of Malala’s Magic Pencil.
• Ask the children to look carefully and quietly for one minute. Use guided prompts: “What do you notice first? What colours do you see? Who might the character be?”
• Model using descriptive vocabulary by thinking aloud.

2. Whole-Class Discussion (15 mins)

• Use open-ended questions to encourage exploration:
  • “What does the title tell us? What is a ‘magic pencil’?”
  • “Who do you think Malala is?”
  • “What might the pencil do in the story?”
  • “How does the picture make you feel? Why?”
• Write key ideas and vocabulary on the board.
• Refer to the author’s name; explain the role of the author and illustrator briefly.

Curriculum focus: Speaking and listening, comprehension and use of vocabulary.

3. Vocabulary Exploration (8 mins)

• Select 3–5 new or interesting words from the cover (e.g., magic, pencil, brave, imagine, wish).
• Write words on sticky notes or cards, show and say each word clearly.
• Briefly define in age-appropriate language, use gesture, drawing, or context clues.
• Invite pupils to repeat the words and use them in a sentence or prediction.

4. Paired Talk & Draw (10 mins)

• Pupils pair up to share their predictions about what the story might be about based on the cover and title.
• Each pupil then draws a picture showing a scene or idea they imagine will happen in the story.
• Encourage use of vocabulary discussed.

5. Sharing & Plenary (7 mins)

• Invite pupils to share their drawings and ideas with the class, practising clear speaking and listening skills.
• Summarise the key learning points: identifying book cover features, using imagination, and predicting stories from illustrations and titles.
• Explain that in the next lesson they will start reading the story to see if their predictions were correct.

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Differentiation and Inclusion

• Provide word banks and visual prompts for pupils who need extra support with vocabulary.
• Allow more confident pupils to expand their ideas with more descriptive sentences.
• Pair pupils thoughtfully to support social interaction and verbal expression.
• Use clear, simple language and model responses frequently to scaffold contributions.

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Assessment for Learning

• Observe participation in discussion: can pupils recall and describe cover elements?
• Listen to vocabulary usage and imaginative sentences during paired talk and sharing.
• Review drawings and explanations to check understanding of story prediction.
• Make notes about pupils who might need further support or extension in reading and speaking skills.

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Extension Ideas

• Create a classroom display of the covers and children’s drawings with captions using new vocabulary.
• Encourage children to bring a favourite book cover to compare and discuss with classmates.
• Use role-play to act out their imagined scenes inspired by the cover.

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This lesson aims to spark curiosity, develop key early literacy skills, and lay a strong foundation for the study of Malala’s Magic Pencil in future lessons, aligning fully with Year 1 expectations of the English National Curriculum.