Autumn 1

Class 5

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Example timetable

English

Gillian Cross’s Odyssey is a bold, modern retelling of Homer’s ancient Greek epic — and it brings the adventure roaring to life for today’s readers. Packed with danger, mystery and unforgettable characters, it’s a brilliant way for KS2 pupils to explore one of the world’s most famous stories in a fresh, accessible way.

🌊 A journey filled with danger, courage and clever thinking

At the heart of the story is Odysseus, a brave but sometimes flawed hero trying to find his way home after the Trojan War. His journey is anything but simple. Storms, monsters, magical islands and powerful gods all stand in his ⚔️ Memorable encounters

Pupils will meet some of the most iconic figures in mythology, including:

The Cyclops — the one‑eyed giant who traps Odysseus and his men
Circe — the enchantress who turns warriors into animals
The Sirens — whose irresistible song lures sailors to danger
Scylla_and_Charybdis — two terrifying sea creatures guarding a narrow passage

Each episode offers rich opportunities for discussion, prediction, inference and vocabulary work — and every challenge tests his courage, quick thinking and determination.

🏠 Themes that matter

Although the story is full of monsters and magic, Odyssey also explores themes that resonate strongly with KS2 pupils:

Perseverance — Odysseus never gives up, even when the journey seems impossible
Teamwork — his crew must work together to survive
Consequences — every choice Odysseus makes leads to new challenges
Home_and_family — his determination to return to Ithaca drives the whole adventure

These themes make the book perfect for deeper reading‑comprehension tasks, character studies and creative writing.