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KS1 / KS2 English: The Kick Off by Dan Freedman

Video summary

Former Team GB and England Women's Football team player Eniola Aluko explains why she loves the book 'Jamie Johnson: The Kick Off'.

Extracts from the book are read by former England and Manchester City player Gareth Barry, with Dan Edwards demonstrating some football skills.

Join Eniola, Gareth and Dan as they introduce a book that captures the football fever of a young boy desperate to become the star of the school football team.

This clip is from the series Bringing Books to Life 2.

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The Kick Off Teacher Notes

KS1 and KS2 English Discussion Questions

Before watching the video:

  • Do you enjoy sports-themed books? How does reading about sports inspire or motivate you to be active?
  • What makes a great team player in football? List three qualities and explain their importance.
  • What do you enjoy most about playing football with friends? How does it make you feel on the field?

While watching the video:

  • Pause at 01:14 - Besides playing football, what other things is Jamie busy with in his life?
  • Pause at 03:14 - Which person in Jamie's family used to be a professional football player?
  • Pause at 04:29 - What is the name of the school that Jamie scores the winning goal against?

After watching the video:

  • If you could meet Jamie Johnson, what three questions would you ask him about his football journey?
  • How did Jamie show determination and perseverance in the extract that Gareth read out in the video?
  • What did you learn from Jamie's story? How can you use it in your life or when playing football with friends?

KS1 and KS2 English Activity Suggestions

  1. Sports Scoop: Picture yourself as a sports journalist covering a game for the local newspaper. Write about the events of the match, share the thrilling highlights and make the crowd feel the excitement!
  2. Dedication Journal: In the story, Jamie showed immense dedication to playing football. So, start a dedication journal. Each day, note down what you're dedicated to achieving and the steps you took to get closer to your goal.
  3. Football Fitness: Pretend you are Jamie's coach. What kind of training exercises and drills would you plan to help Jamie improve his skills further? Include warm-ups and cool-down exercises in your plan and try it out with friends.

Take a look at our 500 Words resources for further inspiration around story writing.

These videos contribute to the current national curriculum requirements in:

  • England - KS1/KS2 English: Develop positive attitudes to reading and understanding of what they read.
  • Northern, Ireland - KS1/KS2 Language and Literacy: Extend the range of their reading and develop their own preferences.
  • Scotland - 1st and 2nd Level Literacy and English: Reading - Enjoyment and choice.
  • Wales - Progression Step 2/3 Languages, Literacy and Communication: Literature fires imagination and inspires creativity.

These discussion questions and activity suggestions provide opportunities to develop english and physical education (PE) knowledge and skills in meaningful contexts across all UK curricula.

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