Warhorse scaffold and reflection sheets
A complete War Horse study pack with reading, writing, assessment and character tasks.
War Horse – Complete Teaching & Assessment Pack (Summary)
Core Text Coverage
Overview of War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
Historical context: World War One and trench warfare
Focus on the experience of soldiers and animals during war
Emphasis on empathy, suffering, and moral responsibility
Key Knowledge Included
Plot overview and chapter-based understanding
Main characters: Joey, Albert, Topthorn, Emilie, Trooper Warren, Captain Stewart
Character traits, development, and symbolic meaning
Key themes: loyalty, friendship, innocence, survival, impact of war
Vocabulary linked to warfare and horse life
Reading & Comprehension Tasks
Structured summary tasks (100 words)
Clear focus on:
Key events
Emotional impact
Changes in character perspective
Guidance on using own words and avoiding retelling
Model success criteria and indicative content
Writing Tasks
Journal writing from Joey’s perspective
Focus on:
Emotion and reflection
Internal thoughts and reactions
Development across paragraphs
Clear prompts to guide student responses
Assessment Support
Cambridge-style reading and writing mark schemes
Band descriptors for:
Understanding
Inference
Organisation
Language use
Student-friendly self-assessment checklists
Reflection prompts for improvement
Skills Developed
Inference and interpretation
Emotional literacy and empathy
Analytical and reflective writing
Understanding character perspective
Use of evidence and explanation
Teacher-Friendly Features
Ready-to-use worksheets
Clear progression from comprehension to analysis
Suitable for mixed-ability classes
Supports independent and guided learning
Best Used For
KS3 English
War Horse units of work
Reading and writing assessment
Exam preparation and skill-building


