Someone Just Like You by Helen Docherty and David Roberts

 

Lesson plan can be used in all year groups - see different options for follow up work below

Text: Someone just like you by Helen Docherty and David Roberts

Enquiry question: How can you make someone feel safe?

RSE links: Respectful relationships: practical steps they can take in a range of different contexts to improve or support respectful relationships.

Starter: Discuss the front cover of the book; what do you predict this story is about? Look at the dedication inside the front cover: This story was inspired by the words of Jo Cox: ‘We have more in common than that which divides us.’” What does this mean?

Main: Read “Someone like you” and discuss: -          What do you notice about the children shown on the opening page’ how are they similar and different? Why has the illustrator chosen to place the children on the page in those positions? -          Consider the images on the second page where all the children say their name; the author could have chosen to make the children look similar. Why did the author choose to show so many different children here? -          “On the outside you look different, but your feelings are the same” what does this mean? Can you give an example in our class? -         KS2 question: Why are there upside-down children on the next few pages? Is this a printing mistake? What is the author trying to show? -          KS2 question: “If they’d had to leave their home because they didn’t want to fight” How might this happen? Why might they need a toothbrush and comb? The child in the orange hoodie is very different in appearance to all the other children we have met so far- why? -          What do you think of the end of the story? The text reads, “Somewhere in this world there is someone just like you…” but the children we see on the last page look very different to each other; what does this show?

Activity Reception/ KS1: Use the page "Somewhere in the world there is someone just like you" talk about how we look different but there are things the same about us. Children sit with a friend and record one way they look different and one thing they both like. Activity KS2: Look at the page “Would you listen to their story? Would you tell them yours, as well?” What do the pictures show? Do we all have a story? How are our stories different? Is it always good to share our stories? Who gets to decide what you share? Children consider how to represent their own story on one page; discuss as a class what to include: likes, dislikes, family, travels, home-life, pets... children can choose what to include (and what to leave out) Use this activity to show children that they are valued and they belong; children need to know you want to hear their story.

Plenary: ‘We have more in common than that which divides us.’ How do you think this story reflects this quote? Why is this about No Outsiders, why is this about our school?