The Last Wolf

Overview

• Duration: 60 minutes
• Class Size: 30 Year 2 students
• Unit: Exploring Habitats and Conservation (Lesson 2 of 20)
• Curriculum Focus: English – Spoken Language & Reading (The National Curriculum for England)
• Topic: Story introduction to The Last Wolf – understanding its themes focussing on conservation and habitats

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National Curriculum Links

English (Key Stage 1)

• Spoken Language
  • Participate in discussions, listen carefully to others and take turns to speak (NC Ref: English KS1 Spoken Language 1d, 1e)
  • Express ideas and opinions about stories (1d)
• Reading
  • Develop pleasure in reading, motivation to read, vocabulary and understanding by listening to and discussing a wide range of stories (2a)
  • Discuss the significance of the title and events (2c)
  • Understand books by talking about the title and events (2c)

Science (Cross-curricular reference to Habitats - KS1)

• Recognise that most living things live in habitats to which they are suited and describe how they depend on each other (2a)
• Identify and name a variety of plants and animals in their habitats (2b)

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Learning Objectives (WALT)

• WALT: Understand the main themes of The Last Wolf
• WALT: Summarise the story and identify conservation and habitat-related themes

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Success Criteria

• I can listen carefully to the story and recall key events
• I can explain the main themes of the story using my own words
• I can identify the importance of habitats and conservation from the story
• With support (story maps), I can sequence events correctly
• (Extension) I can create a detailed character profile for the wolf

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Resources

• The Last Wolf story read aloud (printed book, digital slideshow, or audio)
• Story maps for scaffolding (visual organisers with pictures and sentence prompts)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Paper, pencils, crayons
• Differentiated worksheets:
  • Support: Fill-in-the-blank story maps
  • Expected: Story sequencing with short answers
  • Greater depth: Character profile templates

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

• Teacher Activity:

  • Recap previous lesson: quick reminder about habitats and conservation.
  • Introduce The Last Wolf story. Briefly explain it explores themes about animals, habitats, and protecting our environment.
  • Pose a question: “Why do you think it’s important to look after homes for animals?”
  • Activate prior knowledge: Link to English objectives by discussing how stories can teach us important lessons.

• Pupil Activity:

  • Share ideas about habitats and conservation.
  • Engage in a brief whole-class discussion.

2. Story Reading (15 minutes)

• Teacher Activity:

  • Read The Last Wolf aloud with expression, showing pictures (digital or book).
  • Pause at key moments to check understanding and ask predictive questions (e.g., “What do you think will happen next?”).

• Pupil Activity:

  • Listen attentively.
  • Respond to questions and share thoughts.

3. Story Mapping Activity (15 minutes)

• Teacher Activity:

  • Distribute story maps/images with key scenes sequenced but mixed up.
  • Model completing a story map on the whiteboard, summarising key events in simple sentences, highlighting conservation themes.

• Pupil Activity:

  • Working in pairs or small groups, arrange story events correctly.
  • Write or articulate short summaries for each event using sentence starters if needed: “First…”, “Next…”, “Finally…”.
  • Use differentiated materials tailored to ability (support or expected work).

4. Group Discussion and Theme Identification (10 minutes)

• Teacher Activity:

  • Facilitate a discussion on conservation and habitats by linking to story events.
  • Prompt with questions: “How does the wolf’s habitat affect him?” “Why should we protect animals and their homes?”

• Pupil Activity:

  • Share ideas verbally.
  • Support pupils needing help with sentence starters or visual aids.

5. Extension Activity – Character Profile (10 minutes)

• Teacher Activity:

  • Explain the extension task: create a character profile for the wolf using adjectives, actions, feelings and habitat details from the story.
  • Provide character profile templates.

• Pupil Activity:

  • Higher ability students complete detailed profiles independently or in pairs, including drawing the wolf and describing personality traits, feelings, and habitat needs.

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Differentiation Strategies

Pupil Need	Strategy	Resources
Working Towards	Use simplified story maps with images and sentence starters	Visual story maps, sentence prompts
Expected	Sequencing activity with short written answers	Sequencing cards, basic writing frames
Greater Depth	Character profile creation with adjectives, feelings and habitat analysis	Detailed character profile worksheet
EAL/CLL	Key vocabulary pre-teaching (wolf, habitat, conservation, last) using visuals	Picture glossary cards
SEND – Communication	Use of symbols and pictures, paired work, emphasis on speaking and listening	Story maps with pictures, paired support

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Assessment

• Formative

  • Observation during story discussion: ability to recall key events and express thoughts on themes.
  • Review story maps worksheets for sequencing accuracy and understanding.
  • Check character profiles for comprehension and depth of theme connection (for extension).

• Summative

  • End-of-lesson verbal recap: pupils explain the story and its themes in their own words.
  • Teacher notes for next lesson planning, especially for pupils requiring further scaffolding or extension.

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Reflection/Next Steps

• Review students’ understanding of conservation and habitats through their story summaries and discussions.
• Adjust next lessons to focus more on factual habitat exploration using non-fiction texts for cross-curricular coverage.
• Plan follow-up writing activities where pupils describe an animal and its habitat to consolidate learning from story-based themes.

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Through this engaging, scaffolded lesson aligned with the National Curriculum, Year 2 pupils will develop key spoken language and comprehension skills alongside an appreciation of conservation—building strong foundations for literacy and science understanding.