1. Sparks
Reading a short story

2. Nicknames What is the difference between a nickname and a pet name?
What is “sweetheart”?
What is “giraffe”?
What is “my flower”?
What is “shrimp”?
What is “pumpkin”?
What kind of character would you expect someone with the nickname “Sparks” to have?

3. New Vocabulary
How many of these words or phrases do you know the meaning of?
influence
bound to
allergic
break out in
frosty
icicle
blizzard

4. New Vocabulary blades of Boudicea´s chariot hailstone bandage spat
magnifying glass
naked
sprint
revealing
body stocking
melt

5. Definition of a rebel A rebel is someone who rebels.
We rebel when we go against the norms of society.
We rebel when we don´t listen to authority.
Think of all the ways we rebel.
What do you do if your mother says she doesn´t like your clothes?
What do you do if your mother tells you she doesn´t like the music you listen to?
What do you do if your teachers tell you to be quiet?
What do you do if your father says he doesn´t like your friend?
Are you a rebel? Do you know any rebels? Why do we become rebels?

6. David Bowie sang a famous song called Rebel Rebel in 1974
David Bowie sang a famous song called Rebel Rebel in Why would some people think he was a rebel?

7. Comprehension Questions.
What class did the writer meet Claire Parks in?
What kind of character did Claire Parks display?
What excuses did Claire Parks make for not wearing a tie?
How did Mrs Bates feel about Claire´s excuses for not wearing a tie?
What kind of relationship did Mrs Bates and Claire have in school?
How did Claire Parks shock everyone during sports day?
Where did the writer see Claire most recently and what was she doing?

8. Answers The writer met Claire Parks in her tutor class.
Claire Parks displayed a confident, fun character who could look after herself easily.
Claire said she was allergic to ties and found different ways of getting out of wearing ties.
Mrs Bates was very frustrated and angry about the excuses that Claire made for not wearing a tie.
Mrs Bates and Claire had a very strained relationship in school. They didn´t seem to like each other and annoyed each other all the time.
Claire shocked everyone by running on the track in a body stocking which made it look as if she were naked.
The writer most recently saw Claire Parks on a rock and pop award programme on television. She was being presented with a gold disc. She was singing a song called Breaking all the Rules.

9. School Rules Which of the following statements do you believe?
A rule is a rule. or
Rules are made to be broken.

10. School Rules Make your own fun rules for your own school.
Make an interesting name for your school also.
Use the following grammatical structures to make your rules.

11. have to, must or must not Example:
Teachers have to give chocolates to students every Friday. If they do not they will have detention.
Students must listen to music all day. If they do not they will have to wear ear plugs for a whole week.
Students must not do their homework. If they do they will have to come to school on Saturday.

12. can or cannot
Students cannot do homework on weekends. If they do they will have to stay at home for a whole week.
Teachers cannot tell students what to do. If they do they will have to stay at school until 8pm or be sent to prison for a night.
Students can eat during class time. If they do they will not be hungry when they
go home.

13. should or should not
Students should wear jeans and t-shirts to school. If they do not they will feel uncomfortable.
Students should not listen to the teacher during class time. If they do they will get bored.