We have started the new term by reading The Odyssey by Gillian Cross and by the third chapter, Odysseus (who is travelling home with his soldiers from the Trojan War) has already been attacked by the Cicones, had to rescue his men from the effects of the lotus fruit and managed to escape from being trapped in a cave with a man-eating, one-eyed Cyclops. The children have placed themselves into the shoes of one of Odysseus’s soldiers because next week they’ll be writing a letter home from the soldier’s perspective telling their loved ones all about the treacherous journey. This week, working in pairs, the children have interviewed each other about the treacherous journey so far thinking about how their perspectives might differ according to who their character is. Is their character a fierce, brave warrior excited about the battles ahead or are they afraid for their lives?
