After reading the text, select:

a)A Sentence that captured your attention or struck you as powerful.

b)A phrase that moved, engaged, or provoked you.

c)A word that was meaningful to you, that you felt captures a core idea of the text.

Post your choices for Sentence, Phrase and Word as a post in this column. See sample post below.

You will receive the link to the Number the Stars Resource Padlet after you submit the feedback.

Resource Padlet link is only given to participants of a text-specific module. Remember to save the link!

There is a transcript in this video that helps you follow the text in the picture book. 

For access to the soft copy of the book, you need to log on to SLS and search for Number the Stars under Community Gallery". It will be under Session 3 in the SLS course.

2. Discuss:

What commonalities/differences emerged in the group’s sentences, phrases, and words?

Looking at what your group focused on, what do you think is most important about this text? (What is the significance of this text? What are the implications of this text?)

What did we miss? Are there parts of the text that no one in the group referenced in their sentences/phrases/words? Why do you think that is the case?

3. Post key points from your discussion you wish to share with the class as a post in the this column. {Remember to put your group's name in post title.]

My sentence: "Little did the Danes know how much they would need their wise king in the dark days to come."

Reason: Portending the future and resonates with me.

My phrase: "With Courage and Defiance"

Reason: important qualities but not ones I would associate.

My word: Stars

Reason: The various meanings they have in the text that provoke thought.

Reason:
This line shows how one person’s courage can calm and strengthen an entire nation. It reminds us that true leadership means standing firm in the face of fear — that bravery can inspire others to be brave too.

is afraid for his people.

Reason:
This phrase reveals deep compassion. The King’s fear is not selfish — it comes from love. It made me think about how caring for others can be the strongest form of courage.

Unity.

Reason:
The story shows that when people stand together — refusing to let others be singled out — they can resist injustice peacefully. Unity turns fear into strength and makes goodness visible even in dark times.

Reason: It showed me how noble the king was and I understood then why all the Danes would protect him.

My phrase: "the Nazis gathered like dark clouds"

Reason: It captures the impending sense of doom that was felt upon their arrival.

Word: "Danes"

Reason: I felt like this is the story of the Danes who saw themselves as just that - Danes, regardless of who or what they worship.

Reason: This sentence shows how protective the king was and was willing to die for the country and the Danes.

b) Phrase: "As before"

Reason: The king would always come up with a solution for any problems that the Danes faced.

c) Word: powerless

Reason: The king who always had a solution as also helpless at that point in time when the war spread across Europe and could not stop it.

Reason: This signifies that the Danes are going to face times of trouble as symbolised by the 'dark clouds'.

My phrase: "all were loyal subjects”

Reason: It shows that the Danes have strong loyalty to their king.

My word: Courage

Reason: The word is not time bound. It reflects both everyday acts of kindness and great historical bravery. It challenges us to ask how can we show courage in small ways in our daily lives.

Reason: Jews were just like everyone else. The yellow star was only a symbol to separate and differentiate them. Without it, there was no real difference.

Phrase: as frightened as his people

Reason: Even the king could feel afraid. Courage is not the same as being fearless. He is willing to share the same danger faced by his people.

Word: courage

Reason: Doing the right thing even with fear.

Be prepared to shoot the king, I will be the soldier.

• The king was brave (and defiant), ready to face the Nazis head-on.

Phrase:

missing flag was a symbol of resistance

• simple action (though very dangerous) of removing the flag became a sign of unity. The king stood with his people.

word:

victory

• symbolic - courage and strength

• Paradoxical and also highlights helplessness because even a king couldn't make a difference.

Phrase: Only Danes

• Different interpretation at the start and end of story.

• Concept of identity and unity

Word: Faith

• Captured the core idea of the whole story in one word. People's faith in the king and vice versa. Quiet understanding of one another.

The king demonstrated bravery and courage in standing up to the Nazis even to the extent of his death.

Word: Danes

Who are the Danes? They did not consider the Jews as outsiders but people they need to protect as well.

Majority of the responses indicates the bravery, courage and loyalty of the king towards his people. Based on the sentence: Be prepared to shoot the king- for I will be that soldier.

Some of the responses shows the weakness of the king. Even as a leader, he can still be overpowered.

Phrases:

Indicates compassion, forward thinking, having faith in the king to solve issues and problems, loyalty of people towards king, Relationship between king and his people.

Only Danes: at the start, own people, originally Danes but towards the end, Danes meaning changed - come from different backgrounds but still considered Danes

Words:

Unity, Danes, powerless, courage, victory, faith

positivity in the nouns to indicate the core of the story but at the same time, the words are all connected based on different junctures of the story

2. I like the Sentence–Phrase–Word routine. Thought it can be considered ‘low barrier’ task that still pushes for meaning making. Are there any guidelines for designing SPW prompts and when you would choose SPW as an activity?

3. Should we select a Tier 1 or Tier 2 titles based on students’ RC readiness or text readiness? e.g., do we choose Tier 1 titles because the target P5/6 students are new to reading circles or Tier 2 because they’re in upper primary?

4. Would you recommend that we conduct each session over two 1h slots?