Free teaching resource for Kensuke's Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo. Printable.
Pupils plan how they would survive on the island using only the resources Morpurgo describes. What would they eat? How would they find fresh water? How would they build shelter? Then compare their plan with what Michael actually does.
Ask pupils to write the same scene — Michael's first sight of Kensuke — from both Michael's and Kensuke's perspectives. What does each of them feel? What do they each misunderstand about the other?
Pupils research what happened at Nagasaki in August 1945. Why does Kensuke believe his family are dead? What does this add to your understanding of his character? This connects the novel to real historical events. Handle sensitively.
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