Unit of work – The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis

Guided Reading lessons last 30 minutes – aim to read the chapter and answer the questions in
that time.

Lesson 1: Front Cover

Look at the front covers below:

BASIC:
Order the covers in terms of your personal preference.

ADVANCING:
List things that you can infer from looking at the cover- what does the title tell us? Who will be
the character(s)? Where is it set? When is it set? Etc.

DEEP: Choose a cover that you don’t particularly like. Write a letter from the author to the
illustrator explaining what is wrong with the cover and what improvements need to be made.
Lesson 2: Blurb

Read the blurb and then create a

response to the tasks below:

BASIC:
Tell me 5 things you have learn from
the blurb.

ADVANCING:
Jot down five questions you would like
to know the answer to based on the
blurb

DEEP:
A good blurb should entice the reader
in without giving too much of the story
away. Is this an effective blurb?
Please justify your thought using
quotes.

Lesson 3: Chapter 1-

BASIC: Create a glossary of the vocabulary used in Chapter 1 (at least 5 words) and create
definitions for each

ADVANCING: Using the words from the glossary you have created, generate sentences using
the words in a different context.

DEEP: The author uses words such as ‘chador’, ‘peddler’, ‘Taliban’ etc. All of these words are
specific to the setting of the story, do you think it is important to include specific vocabulary?
How does it affect the reader? Justify your thoughts.
Lesson 4: Chapter 2-

BASIC: DRAW the room Parvana and her family live in. LABEL it with quotes from the text

ADVANCING: COMPARE life in Afghanistan underneath Taliban rule and before.

Before Taliban rule After Taliban rule

Deep: On page 32, the author writes, “They were kept hidden because the Taliban burned books
they didn’t like,” why would the Taliban want to do this?

Lesson 5: Chapter 3

BASIC:

1. Why did Parvana want a light on in the night?

2. Why were all the windows painted black?
3. Why did mother decide to go to jail to try to help Father? What was the walk to jail
like?

ADVANCING:

1. ‘Tonight, there was no snoring.’ Why does the author decide to have this as a separate
paragraph?
2. ‘The nan fell from Parvana's lips onto the plastic cloth. She didn't argue, though.’ How
has Parvana attitude changed from the previous paragraph?
3. What did Nooria do that surprised Parvana? What does this tell us about the
relationship between the characters?

DEEP:

1. Imagine one of the guards agree to pass a note to her father. If you were only allowed
to write three sentences, what would you write?
 Lesson 6: Chapter 4

BASIC: Complete the table below:

Point (a statement) Evidence (directly from the Explain (an explanation that link the tow together)
text that supports the
statement)
Nooria and Maryam were ‘Nooria and Maryam's eyes When you see something that shocks you, you either
shocked by Parvana’s widened when they saw the look away if you are scared or stare if you cannot
feet. mess of Parvana's feet’ believe your eyes. Maryam and Nooria’s eyes widen as
they are in complete disbelief of what they have seen.
‘Nooria tried to help, but
Mother just waved her
away.’
Parvana is stubborn

‘The third day barely

creeped along.’

Living conditions in the

house were getting
worse

‘Now I've got her, Parvana

thought. I can make her as
miserable as she makes me.
But she was surprised to
find that this thought gave
her no pleasure.’

ADVANCING: Generate three of your own P.E.E sentences.

DEEP: Carry out a word level analysis on the chapter- select three examples of strong
vocabulary choices and one that could be improved and explain your thoughts.

For example: Ellis uses the adjective ‘hollow’ superbly in Chapter 4 in the sentence, ‘She
looked at Maryam, whose cheeks were already beginning to look hollow.’ The word hollow
has the connotations of emptiness. This emptiness links to upset and sadness. The reader
can also relate the word hollow to the emptiness of their stomachs or maybe even the
emptiness of their hearts now their father has gone. If the author had used a weaker
choice such as ‘thin’ these subtle hints would have been lost.
Lesson 7: Chapter 5

In Chapter 5, we are introduced to Mrs Weera. Consider why the author chooses to
introduce this character at this part of the story? What characteristics/ impression is
the author trying to impose on the character.

Your task is to create an annotated sketch of what you believe Mrs Weera would’ve
looked like then explain what type of character the author is aiming for- what does she
want us to think she is like?

Justify your ideas with quotes from the text. Consider her appearance, the way she
moves, her previous employment, the way she speaks etc.

Lesson 8: Chapter 6

BASIC:

1. Why was Parvana scared to go shopping alone? How were women supposed to shop? Why
did the Talib hit Parvana with a stick?
2. Who did Parvana run into when she was running away? How did this person help the
family?
3. Why couldn’t Parvana have a drink of water before it was boiled?

ADVANCING:

4. How do Mother, Nooria and Mrs Weera help Parvana turn into a boy? How does Parvana
feel about this? Use quotes to support your answer.
5. Describe Mrs Weera in three words then justify your choices.

DEEP:

It was a struggle for Parvana at first to accept the idea of pretending to be a boy. Re-write the
section where Parvana is transformed into a boy from a first person point of view. Ensure you
make it clear how she felt through the use of emotive language.

Lesson 9: Chapter 7

In Chapter 7, we find Parvana selling her items of the street. She has
to sell the shalwar kameez (similar to the one pictured) that was so
dear to her. To get the highest price possible, she had to use all her
persuasive skills, talking through the detailed stitching and intricate
design.

Put yourself in Parvana’s shoes, and consider the importance of

personal possessions.

BASIC:

List three items that you treasure and explain why they are important
to you.
ADVANCING:

Explain how you would persuade someone to purchase one of your items. For example,
‘This X-box will bring your family hours of joy, imagine your children are constantly
arguing, this can help: an X-box brings families together…’

DEEP:

‘Possessions are not important’ Convince me whether or not this statement is true- use
your own experiences and the experiences of Parvana in your response.

Lesson 10: Chapter 8

The following questions are from chapter 7 and 8

BASIC:
1. What physical affect is the war having on Maryam?
2. Why does Mrs.Weera move in with Parvana and her family?
3. How many grandchildren was Mrs Weera washing?
4. What ‘gifts’ does she receive in chapter 8?

ADVANCING:

5. Parvana reads a letter for a Talib. What is surprising about his reaction to the letter?
Why?
6. What excellent idea does Parvana have now that she is dressed as a boy? How does it
help Mother and Nooria? Why does Noooria object?
7. What does Parvana discover about the blacked-out window? Make a prediction about
what might happen later in the novel in relation to the window.

DEEP:
Parvana accompanies mother and Nooria outside, so that they can be in the fresh air and feel
the sun on their skin. If you had to stay inside for a year and a half, what would be the things
you missed most? Why?

Lesson 11: Chapter 9

Below are a series of different events that have happened in chapters 4-8.

BASIC: sort them onto a line in order of the most positive event to the most negative event.

Mrs Weera moves in. Mother and Mrs Weera Mother hasn’t been out of
decide to start a magazine the house for over a year.
 Worry over Father Mother sleeps and won’t talk Parvana’s hair is cut short to
to anyone. make her look like a boy.

Parvana can go into shops to Parvana realises that the Parvana sells her Shalwar
buy goods. Taliban can feel sorrow and Kameez
pain too.

Parvana earns money for the Parvana takes Maryam to the The whole family is able to go
family tap to collect water. out with Parvana as escort.

Parvana gets used to her A piece of embroidery is Parvana meets an old school
father being gone. thrown onto Parvana’s mat friend.

ADVANCING:
Explain which card represents the most positive event, the most negative event and the one you
have put in the middle. Justify your reasoning.

DEEP:
Select one of the events and explain how if it had hadn’t of happened the story would have
changed. Consider the affect it had on the story plot, the character’s thoughts, the reader’s
journey etc.

Lesson 12: Chapter 10

The following questions are from chapter 9 and 10

BASIC:
1. Describe the friendship between Shauzia and Parvana.
2. What is the new job Parvana and Shauzia have decided to try?
3. Why did Parvana wash her clothes as best she could at the end of the day?
4. Why didn’t Parvana go home for lunch?

ADVANCING:

5. Why do they not tell their families about the new job they were doing?
6. Why were the girls possibly in danger just having to go to the bathroom?
7. What became the mascot of the girls as they pulled bones out of the earth? What did
the girls think about the bones and their job?

DEEP:

Imagine Parvana is given a chance to write a letter to her father in prison describing how the
family are doing. Think about how Parvana will want her father to think how she is coping.
Consider how she will express how she misses her father
Lesson 13: Chapter 11

Chapter 11 sees Parvana and Shauzia begin a new ‘career’. In terms of events, it is quite
troubling as what they are doing for money is very dark. However, within the chapter Ellis tries
to make parts quite light and even humorous.

BASIC:
Find examples of humour within the chapter, quote them and explain why they are funny.

ADVANCING:
Which word best describes this chapter from the reader’s point of view: humorous or worrying?
Use quotations in your reasoning.

DEEP:
Explain why Ellis includes humour here? Consider audience, characters, effect of reader and
tension build up in your answer.

Lesson 14: Chapter 12

During this chapter, Shauzia talks to Parvana about her future plans.

BASIC: List the reasons for and against Shauzia travelling to France.

ADVACNING: Explain what would you do if you were Shauzia. Include details about:
 The potential dangers
 Access to education
 Her future hopes
 People she would leave behind
 The potential dangers

DEEP: Find someone to talk to regarding Shauzia’s situation- explain what she has had to do so
far in the book, the dangers she has faced and her current situation. Explain what will happen to
her when she becomes a woman and discuss how this means a decision needs to be made soon.
Once you have explained the situation ask the person you are talking to what they would do in
the situation.

Lesson 15: Chapter 13

In Chapter 13, Parana says goodbye to her sister. There is clearly a change in Parvana’s attitude
to her sister throughout the book.

BASIC:
Explain, with quotes how Parvana’s attitude to Nooria changes from the start if the book to how
she is with her in Chapter 13.

ADVANCING:
The last words Parvana said to her sister were, "As soon as your new husband realizes how bossy
you are, he'll send you back to Kabul as fast as he can." Tell us what this says about Parvana, her
relationship with her sister and how she feels about the situation.
DEEP:
Parvana didn’t really say a tearful goodbye to her sister. She shows she cares by purchasing a
gif for her but for some reason cannot verbalise it. Often people can find it easier to write
things down than say face to face. Write a letter to Nooria from Parvana explaining how she
felt about her leaving, regrets she had, hopes for the future etc.

Lesson 16: Chapter 14

The following questions are from chapter 14:

BASIC:
1. Why could the woman get in trouble for being out?
2. How long had Kabul been under curfew?
3. Name three things Mrs Weera did to make the woman feel better.

ADVANCING:
4. The woman is described as ‘huddled’- what connotations does it have?
5. How do we know Parvana instantly trusts the woman? Please explain.
6. Who is Malali? Why did Parvana pretend to be her?

DEEP:
7. Do you feel the opening line of Chapter 14 is effective? Why?
8. Why does the author choose to not have the woman speak back to Parvana?
9. At the end of the chapter, Parvana sees her father being helped up the steps to her
home. Is this the best way he could’ve returned? Consider three different ways her
father could’ve been saved/ returned to the family home. Judge which could’ve made the
best story.

Lesson 17: Chapter 15

After reading the final chapter, please take the time to do the AR quiz- I am sure after all the
work you have put into the book, you will get a great score.

If you have enjoyed this book and want to know if Parvana

finds her family, I am pleased to inform you that The
Breadwinner is part of a series: Parvana’s Journey, Mud City
and My Name is Parvana are all waiting for you to read
them. Breadwinner was also made into an animated film that
is a great watch.
Whole Book Activities 1

Whole Book Activities 2

The Breadwinner is a fast-paced, dramatic novel. The plot is driven by key events which
change life for Parvana.
Whole book activities 2

Here are some of the key events in the story, but they have been muddled up. Decide what
order they should be in and write the number in the middle column.

Order
Key event Include?
number

Finding Homa

Father’s arrest

Recognizing Shauzia

Mrs Weera moves in

Disguise as a boy

Helping father to and from the marketplace 1

Selling snacks, gum and cigarettes from a tray

Father’s return

Leaving Kabul to find the rest of the family

Nooria’s engagement

Digging up bones to sell