This Year 1 reading comprehension unit is based on The Lion and the Mouse, an original fiction text by children’s author Lucy Strange. (You can also use the story as a WAGOLL to support KS1 writing development.)
Illustrated and plain versions of the story are provided for display and shared reading. There are also PowerPoint versions (with or without highlights). An annotated version of the text supports close reading and highlights where drama, discussion or visualisation may help deepen understanding.
The story tells the tale of a tiny mouse who crosses paths with a mighty lion. Though the lion laughs at the idea that the mouse could ever help him, the next day he finds himself trapped in a hunter’s net – and it’s the little mouse who sets him free. The story ends with a gentle moral: “SMALL can be strong... and BIG can be kind.”
Fully resourced lessons
The unit includes two fully resourced lessons with vocabulary focuses on the words scurry and gnaw. You'll explore these through context, discussion, synonyms and movement-based tasks such as mimicking animal actions.
You can use reading strategies such as model reading, choral reading and jump-in reading flexibly, depending on class needs. Pupils will also take part in paired talk, role play, drama and prediction activities to explore the events, language and emotional journey of the characters.
The pack supports key comprehension skills including retrieval, sequencing, prediction and inference, and encourages children to connect the text to familiar stories, reflect on character traits, and consider their own strengths and ways they help others.
This Year 1 reading comprehension resource pack includes:
- Original story PDFs – plain (ink-saver), illustrated, annotated
- PowerPoint versions of the story – with and without highlights
- Resourced teaching sequence – Part 1 and Part 2, each with a vocabulary PPT
- Big Questions PowerPoints and worksheets for Parts 1 and 2
- Vocabulary focus word cards
- “Picture This!” animal image cards
- Role on the Wall activity sheets
- Worksheets for 'Difficult Easy' questions; Linking to known stories; Story sequencing
- Full teaching notes
This unit can be taught on its own or as part of a thematic sequence alongside poetry and non-fiction texts for the same year group. It is part of the Real Comprehension whole-school programme, which uses thematic fiction, non-fiction and poetry units to teach reading comprehension and promote deeper understanding from Year 1 to Year 6.