Thursday
Thursday 10th September
10.09.26
LC: To round numbers in different ways
The Door in the Tree
Ella had always loved exploring the woods behind her grandmother’s cottage. One afternoon, while searching for a place to sit and read, she noticed something unusual. Hidden beneath a curtain of ivy was a tiny wooden door set into the trunk of an enormous oak tree.
Curious, Ella brushed away the leaves and discovered a golden key lying on the ground. She carefully placed it into the lock and turned it.
Click.
The door slowly swung open.
Beyond it was a narrow staircase glowing with a soft, blue light. Strange silver flowers grew between the steps, and tiny golden sparks floated through the air like stars.
Ella took a deep breath. She knew she should probably turn back, but her curiosity was stronger than her fear. Carefully, she stepped through the doorway and began to climb.
At the top of the staircase, a warm golden light spilled across the floor. Ella smiled. Whatever waited beyond the next door, she knew she had discovered something extraordinary.
Questions
1. Retrieval
Where was the tiny wooden door hidden?
2. Inference
How do you think Ella felt when she discovered the staircase? Give evidence from the text to support your answer.
3. Choice
Why do you think the author describes the golden sparks as “like stars”? What effect does this have on the reader?
