Bonfire Night story unit · KS1 (Reception to Year 2)
Sparkle and the Big Bang
Learning objective: Describe simple ways to stay safe around fireworks and sparklers, and how to help a frightened pet.
Suggested story settings: Genre: Friendship · Length: 2 chapters · Time: 10–15 minutes · Story world: Bonfire Night Hill
Talk questions
- What did the characters do to stay safe at the fireworks?
- How did they help Sparkle feel calm? How can we help someone who is scared?
Writing task
Draw the fireworks. Write one safety sentence: 'At the fireworks I will ___.'
Word bank
- firework
- a small tube that shoots up and bursts into bright colours and bangs in the sky
- sparkler
- a thin metal stick that fizzes with tiny sparks when a grown-up lights it
- safe
- protected, so that nothing bad can happen to you
- gloves
- warm coverings for your hands, with a space for each finger
- bucket
- a round container with a handle, used to carry water or sand
Success criteria (instructions)
Reception to Year 2: I can write a 'How to' title. I can number my steps. I can start with a bossy verb.
National Curriculum statements
- “participate in discussion about what is read to them, taking turns and listening to what others say” (Year 1, Reading – comprehension (statutory))
- “composing a sentence orally before writing it” (Year 1, Writing – composition (statutory))
- “writing for different purposes” (Year 2, Writing – composition (statutory))
Sample opening (written for litsee.com, to read aloud)
It was Bonfire Night. Mia could hear the first pops and fizzes far away.
Under the table, Sparkle the little dog gave a tiny whimper. Her ears were flat and her tail was tucked in.
“It’s all right, Sparkle,” said Mia softly. She closed the curtains and turned on some gentle music. Dad made a cosy den with a blanket, and Mia put Sparkle’s favourite squeaky toy inside.
Sparkle sniffed the toy. Then she curled up and wagged her tail, just a little.
“Now we can go,” said Mia, pulling on her gloves. “We stand behind the rope, and only grown-ups light the fireworks.”
Notes
Bonfire Night story unit · KS2 (Years 3 to 6)
The Night the Sky Lit Up
Learning objective: Explain how to stay safe around fireworks and why rules help keep a community safe.
Suggested story settings: Genre: Friendship · Length: 2 chapters · Time: 10–15 minutes · Story world: Bonfire Night Hill
Talk questions
- What did our hero do when something went wrong? Why was telling a grown-up the right choice?
- Which firework safety rules did you spot in the story?
Writing task
Write a short safety leaflet for younger children about enjoying fireworks safely, with a title, three clear tips and a friendly closing line.
Word bank
- display
- a show put on for people to watch, such as fireworks set off by trained grown-ups
- spectacular
- amazing to look at, in a big and exciting way
- responsible
- doing the right thing because you know it matters, even when no one asks you to
- distance
- how far one thing is from another
- precaution
- something you do before a problem happens, to stop it happening
Success criteria (instructions)
Years 3 to 6: I can list what you need. I can use command verbs. I can use time words.
National Curriculum statements
- “identifying the audience for and purpose of the writing, selecting the appropriate form and using other similar writing as models for their own” (Years 5 and 6, Writing – composition (statutory))
- “in non-narrative material, using simple organisational devices [for example, headings and sub-headings]” (Years 3 and 4, Writing – composition (statutory))
- “using further organisational and presentational devices to structure text and to guide the reader [for example, headings, bullet points, underlining]” (Years 5 and 6, Writing – composition (statutory))
Sample opening (written for litsee.com, to read aloud)
From the hot chocolate stall at the top of Bonfire Night Hill, Kofi could see the whole field: the long white rope, the marshals in yellow jackets and, far beyond them, the fireworks waiting in their frames.
“Sparklers in five minutes,” called Mrs Adeyemi from the next stall. “Gloves on, one each, and the buckets are by the gate.”
Kofi was stirring a fresh pan when he noticed a small boy in a red bobble hat. He had slipped away from his family and was wandering along the rope, much closer to the fireworks than anyone was meant to be. In his gloved hand, a sparkler fizzed and spat.
Then it slipped from his fingers and landed, hissing, on the grass.
Kofi didn’t shout and he didn’t run. He put down the spoon, turned to the nearest marshal and pointed. “Excuse me,” he said, as calmly as he could. “That little boy needs a grown-up.”
Notes
