Introduction to Safiyyah's War

Overview

This 60-minute lesson introduces Year 7 students (ages 11-12) to Safiyyah's War by Hiba Noor Khan. The focus is on understanding the historical context of the story, recognising key themes, and encouraging curiosity for the novel’s upcoming exploration. This lesson explicitly aligns with the English Programme of Study Key Stage 3 from the National Curriculum for England and supports development of reading, speaking, and listening skills.

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National Curriculum Links

• Reading - comprehension (KS3 English Programme of Study, Y7-9)
  Pupils should be taught to:

  • Read a wide range of fiction, poetry, and drama, including contemporary works that reflect English literary heritage and modern multicultural contexts.
  • Develop an appreciation and love of reading, by reading for pleasure and to build knowledge.
  • Identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideas.
  • Explain and evaluate how authors use linguistic, grammatical, and structural features to achieve effects and influence readers.

• Spoken Language (KS3 English Programme of Study, Y7-9)
  Pupils should be taught to:

  • Listen and respond appropriately to spoken language.
  • Ask relevant questions to extend their understanding and contribute relevant ideas.
  • Use techniques such as hypothetical and speculative questions to explore themes.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, all students will:

1. Identify the basic plot and setting of Safiyyah's War.
2. Understand the historical and cultural background of the novel’s setting in India during the 1940s.
3. Recognise key themes such as family, war, identity, and displacement.
4. Express initial thoughts and questions about the novel through discussion and reflective writing.

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Resources Needed

• Copies (physical or projected) of the first chapter or excerpt from Safiyyah’s War.
• A timeline and map of India circa 1940s (British Raj, Partition era).
• Whiteboard/flipchart, markers.
• Post-it notes or index cards for student questions.
• Projector or interactive whiteboard (for images, maps, and quotes).
• Worksheet: “What do you already know? What are you curious about?”

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Lesson Structure

1. Starter Activity (10 mins): “What Do We Know?”

• Write the word ‘War’ on the board in large letters.
• Ask students to brainstorm ideas, images, or words they associate with war. Create a mind map with their answers.
• Then, introduce the title Safiyyah’s War and ask them to predict what type of war this story might explore and what themes might arise.
• Record their ideas on the board.

Rationale: Activates prior knowledge and sets a purpose for reading.

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2. Contextual Introduction (15 mins): Historical and Cultural Background

• Show a map of India circa 1947 and a simple timeline highlighting British colonial rule, World War II’s aftermath, and the Partition of India.
• Use a storytelling approach to briefly introduce important historical facts that relate to the setting of the novel.
• Clarify key vocabulary (e.g., Partition, refugee, independence, displacement).
• Ask students: “How might living in this period affect a young girl like Safiyyah?”
• Encourage short paired discussions to generate ideas.

Rationale: Builds cultural context and historical empathy by connecting the story to real events.

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3. Extract Reading & Guided Comprehension (15 mins)

• Read aloud an excerpt from the beginning of Safiyyah’s War (either teacher read or audio recording).
• As a class, annotate the text together: identify key details about characters, setting, and mood.
• Discuss explicit information (who, where, when) and ask students for any inferences about the character’s feelings and situation.

Possible questions:

• Who is Safiyyah?
• What can we tell about her family’s situation?
• What emotions does this extract evoke?

Rationale: Develops comprehension skills and teaches students to engage with text critically.

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4. Group Activity (10 mins): Themes Exploration Carousel

• Set up 4 stations around the room, each with one of the novel’s key themes:
  • Family
  • War and Conflict
  • Identity and Belonging
  • Displacement and Refugees
• In groups of 4-5, students rotate through stations. At each station, they respond to a prompt on a worksheet or post-it note:
  • “What might this theme mean in Safiyyah’s War?”
  • “How might this theme connect to real life?”
  • “Write one question you hope the book answers about this theme.”

Rationale: Enables collaborative critical thinking and personalised connection to themes.

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5. Exit Ticket (10 mins): Reflective Writing

• Distribute the worksheet titled “What do you already know? What are you curious about?”
• Students write briefly reflecting on:
  • Something new they learned about Safiyyah or the historical context.
  • A question or prediction they have about the story.
• Collect these as formative assessment to inform next lessons.

Rationale: Encourages metacognition and informs teacher planning.

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Assessment and Differentiation

Assessment

• Formative assessment through:
  • Observation of group discussions and participation.
  • Notes on class annotations and responses to comprehension questions.
  • Exit tickets highlighting understanding and curiosity.

Differentiation

• Support lower ability students with key vocabulary sheets and sentence starters for writing.
• Challenge higher ability students by asking them to consider multiple perspectives from the historical context or to form hypothetical questions regarding character motives.
• Provide audio support for EAL learners during reading.

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Cross-Curricular Links

• History: Understanding the Partition and decolonisation of India.
• PSHE: Empathy and discussion of displacement and identity.
• Geography: Mapping and political boundaries in historical context.

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Home Learning Suggestion

• Research one event or fact about Indian independence or Partition. Write 3 interesting facts and one question to share in the next lesson.

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Teacher Reflection Prompts (Post-Lesson)

• Were students able to connect the historical context with the narrative?
• Which themes generated the most engagement?
• How did the extract reading develop understanding and curiosity?
• How well did students express questions and predictions for the story?
• What adjustments may be needed for next lessons to deepen comprehension and analysis?

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This lesson plan prioritises cultural awareness, historical empathy, and critical thinking in line with the National Curriculum’s focus on rich literary heritage and diverse voices, aiming to inspire Year 7 learners at the outset of Safiyyah’s War.