Kensuke's Kingdom by Mrs Marr

Chapter 1: Peggy Sue

kzmarr — 2023-01-06 05:49:42 UTC

Textual Analysis
Why does Michael want to tell his story now?
Why was there a ‘terrible silence at the breakfast table’?
Is this an effective opening?
Michael describes his father’s plan to sail around the world as ‘inspiration driven by
desperation’. What does this mean?
Who do you think will be the best sailor and why?
Can you imagine this happening to your family? |

Follow-up Reading Activities
1. Imagine you are Michael. Write a diary entry to describe how you feel after you find out about
your father’s plan to sail around the world. Include amazing adjectives.
2. Make a list of all the ‘feeling’ words you can find in this chapter e.g. ‘creeping misery’. Use a
dictionary to look up any unfamiliar vocabulary.

Chapter 2: Water, Water, Everywhere

kzmarr — 2023-01-06 05:51:57 UTC

Textual Analysis
What kept Michael busy on the Peggy Sue?
Do you think Michael is happy?
What is the most important theme in this chapter?
Michael sometimes felt as though ‘they were the last people alive on the whole planet’.
What does he mean?
Would you like to follow Michael’s curriculum? Why/Why not?
How do you think the ship’s log will be written? |
Follow-up Reading Activities
1. Michael is going to have all his lesson at sea from now on. Read about the school work his
mother has planned for him. Design your perfect lesson to be learned at sea! What would you
find out about?
2. How many different connectives can you find in this chapter? Make a list and then choose 3 to
use in 3 sentences of your own. (Examples: as, but, when).

Chapter 3: Ship's Log

kzmarr — 2023-01-06 05:54:20 UTC

Textual Analysis
What game do Mum and Dad play at sea, and who is winning?
Why do you think Mum gets snappy when they do things wrong?
A copy of the log is included at the beginning of the chapter. What effect does this have
on the reader?
What does ‘becalmed’ mean, and is it an effective word choice?
Do you think a ship’s log is a good way to tell a story and why?
Why do you think Michael is excited to play football in Brazil? |
Follow-up Reading Activities
1. Choose 5 of Michael’s openers that you think could be improved. Write down your suggestion.
2. Read the descriptions of the photos Mum had developed on November 16th. Choose 2 to
illustrate and write the descriptions underneath.

Chapter 4: Gibbon's and Ghosts

kzmarr — 2023-01-06 05:56:19 UTC

Textual Analysis
What song did Michael keep singing in the darkness?
Why does Michael feel ‘strangely elated’ on the island?
What do we learn about how to survive on a desert island?
Michael describes the ‘impenetrable darkness’ of the sea. What does this mean, and is it a good choice of phrase?
How do you know we are seeing the island from Michael’s point of view? What clues can you find?
Does this story remind you of any other famous books? | Follow-up Reading Activities
1. Choose a paragraph and copy it out without any punctuation. Swap with a partner and see if
you can re-punctuate it so that it makes sense.
2. If you could take 5 items with you to a desert island to help you, what would you choose
and why?

Chapter 5: I, Kensuke

kzmarr — 2023-01-06 05:57:45 UTC

Textual Analysis
What is Kensuke wearing when Michael first sees him?
Why is Kensuke ‘agitated’ at the beginning of the chapter?
Do you think this is a good time to introduce a new character?
Is ‘jabbering incomprehensibly’ a good choice of phrase?
Do you think Kensuke is mad? Explain your answer.
Is Michael in a ‘wretched predicament’? What will happen next?
Follow-up Reading Activities
1. Choose 10 ambitious words you don’t normally use. Look up the meaning in a dictionary and
use each one in a sentence of your own.
2. Michael wants to communicate with Kensuke but doesn’t know how. Find a way to describe
Michael’s situation.

Chapter 6: Abunai!

kzmarr — 2023-01-06 05:59:31 UTC

Textual Analysis
Where did Michael build his Beacon?
How did Michael feel when the tanker disappeared from sight?
What is the main problem in this chapter?
Can you find 3 good words to describe Michael’s attitude?
How does the last sentence make you feel?
How do you think Kensuke ended up on the island?
Follow-up Reading Activities
1. How many time connectives can you find in this chapter? Make a list and then choose 3 to use
in sentences of your own.
2. Can you think of 5 ways to help Michael keep his spirit up when he starts to feel lonely and
homesick on the island?

Chapter 7: All That Silence Said

kzmarr — 2023-01-06 06:00:50 UTC

Textual Analysis
Can you describe Kensuke’s cave?
How do you think Michael feels when he see his football?
Can you think of an alternative name for this chapter?
Which words tell the reader that Michael is in agony?
How does Michael Morpurgo show the change in Michael and Kensuke’s relationship
during chapter 7?
Have you changed your mind about any of the characters? | Follow-up Reading Activities
1. Choose your favourite opener in this chapter and use it to write 10 different sentences e.g. ‘In
the dying of the light...’
2. Michael is overjoyed to see his football again at the end of the chapter. It means a lot to him.
Which of your possessions would you be overjoyed to see again and why

Chapter 8: Everyone Dead In Nagasaki

kzmarr — 2023-01-06 06:02:56 UTC

Textual Analysis
What amazes Michael at the beginning of the chapter?
How did Kensuke feel when he heard about the atomic bomb falling on Nagasaki?
Can you think of an alternative name for this chapter?
Michael ‘wrestled’ with his ‘conscience’. What does this mean?
Do you think Michael Morpurgo has an opinion on war/killing?
Do you know any other stories that involve WW1 or WW2?
Follow-up Reading Activities
1. Use speech punctuation accurately to write a conversation between Michael and Kensuke
regarding the message in the bottle. Think about how each character feels.
2. Read Michael’s note to his parents. Imagine you are stranded on a desert island. Write your own
message to go in a bottle. Choose your words carefully!

Chapter 9: The Night of the Turtles

kzmarr — 2023-01-06 06:04:44 UTC

Textual Analysis
Who does Tomodachi keep losing and why?
How does Michael feel at the beginning of the chapter?
How does Kensuke link his life story to Michael’s situation?
Michael ‘grieved’ for his friendship with Kensuke. What does this mean?
Can you find examples of ‘honourable’ or ‘selfless’ behaviour?
Have you ever felt closer to a friend after a ‘reconciliation’? Can you describe why you
felt closer?
Follow-up Reading Activities
1. Kensuke has been on the island since 1945. What changes have taken place? Make a list of
inventions and changes that Kensuke won’t know about.
2. Michael wants to persuade Kensuke to come with him. Write a speech full of persuasive
language giving reasons and evidence to try and persuade Kensuke to agree.

Chapter 10: Killer Men Come

kzmarr — 2023-01-06 06:06:24 UTC

Textual Analysis
Why does Kensuke paint ‘indistinct’ faces on his family?
Do you agree Kensuke is ‘stoical’. Can you find evidence?
How does the conclusion link back to the opening of the story?
It rains ‘constantly, incessantly’. Put this in your own words.
How do you think the author feels about hunting animals?
Kensuke thinks he is too old for the ‘new world’. Is he right?
Follow-up Reading Activities
1. ‘Shortly after this...’
This chapter opens with an adverb - a really effective way to start a sentence. Write 5
sentences about the story, opening each one with an adverb.
2. Write a letter to Michael Morpurgo and tell him about your favourite parts of the book. Explain
what you liked about it. You could even suggest some improvements.

Video 1: Summary of Plot

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Video 2: Recap the Plot!

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Video: Parts of a Sailboat

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Video: Castaway (2000) Watch this trailer to help you imagine having to survive on an island.

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Questions for Novel in Ukrainian

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Video: Becalmed (Sea of Thieves)

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Animation: The Bombing of Hiroshima

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Animation: The Man Who Survived Two Atomic Bombs

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Video: The Jellyfish Sting

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The Themes in Kensuke’s Kingdom

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Theme of Adventure

Kensuke’s Kingdom follows Michael and his family as they embark on a daring adventure that eventually leads them to a remote island.

Throughout this journey, the book explores themes of adventure and discovery as Michael navigates through new scenarios and faces unknown dangers on the island.

The story’s portrayal of adventure encourages readers to take risks and explore the world for exciting experiences.

The theme of Family Love

When Michael is stranded on the island, he is comforted by memories of his family frantically searching for him.

These memories serve as a reminder that even when it seems like all hope is lost, family love can bring people back together no matter how far apart they may be.

This theme highlights the importance of having strong family relationships and celebrates the unconditional love between parents and their children.

Theme of Redemption

The story also explores themes of redemption and forgiveness, as Kensuke reveals his connection with World War II events which have haunted him throughout his life.

By sharing these experiences with Michael, Kenseke can finally forgive himself and move on from his past mistakes. Ultimately, this helps both characters find healing while inspiring readers to forgive those who wronged them to achieve inner peace.

The Main Characters In Kensuke’s Kingdom

Michael

Michael is the main protagonist of Kensuke’s Kingdom. He is an adventurous twelve-year-old who embarks on a sailing trip around the world with his parents, eventually stranded on a remote island.

His courage, strength of character and creative spirit allow him to survive on the island until Kensuke arrives and helps him through harrowing ordeals.

Essay Question: Choose a novel or a short story or a work of non-fiction which deals with an important issue or theme. By referring to appropriate techniques, show how the issue or theme is explored.

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Design Technology

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Design a shelter to keep Michael safe on the island.

Create a plan view of Kensuke’s cave house, using information from the book to include the correct features.

Michael and Kensuke make a range of objects using materials from the island. Could you make your own clothes / equipment / tools using natural materials found on the ground?

Design a vessel that could help Michael get away from the island.

Chapter 1-4 Comprehension Task

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Survival on a desert island video

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The Red Turtle

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