This reading comprehension unit invites Year 5 pupils to explore the rich mythology and global stories behind the legendary phoenix. This is done through a carefully crafted, original non-fiction text by children’s author James Nicol.
The text offers a detailed narrative split into three parts. These cover the myth’s origins, physical descriptions, and cultural impact across history and modern media.
You can teach this unit as a standalone comprehension resource or combine it with other reading units that share a similar theme. The resource forms part of our Real Comprehension whole-school programme. This provides engaging fiction, non-fiction, and poetry units to develop reading skills and deepen understanding from Years 1 to 6.
Supported reading sessions
The unit includes illustrated and plain versions of the original text, which you can use for classroom display or pupil reading. The text is also provided as a PowerPoint presentation. This comes with options to show or hide highlights to support guided reading sessions.
An annotated teacher version highlights where to pause for discussion, drama, or visualisation to boost pupil engagement and comprehension.
This pack offers a structured teaching sequence divided into three lessons, each focusing on vocabulary development around key words such as adopted and secure.
You can use the PowerPoints to guide vocabulary teaching, helping pupils to explore definitions, usage, synonyms and antonyms through interactive activities. Big Questions PowerPoints and worksheets encourage deeper thinking and discussion to connect the text to pupils’ own experiences and wider contexts.
Additional resources help pupils develop comprehension skills including retrieval, sequencing, prediction, inference and personal response. The resource also includes timeline cards to help pupils visualise the myth’s longevity and cultural significance.
What this Year 5 reading comprehension pack includes:
- Original text PDFs: plain (ink-saver), illustrated, and annotated teacher version
- PowerPoint presentations of the original text: with and without reading highlights
- Three-part resourced teaching sequence with linked vocabulary focus PowerPoints
- Big Questions PowerPoints and worksheets for each section of the text
- Supplementary worksheets including drawing activities, timeline cards and personal response sheets
- Full teacher notes with close reading guidance
You can use this unit to develop key comprehension skills while immersing pupils in a fascinating mythological story that spans ancient civilisations and contemporary culture.