The Umbrella – Retrieval Skills Video Comprehension Lesson (KS2)

Build your students’ reading comprehension skills with this powerful, emotionally rich retrieval lesson based on the award-winning short film Umbrella. This ready-to-teach pack includes scaffolded guidance and engaging questions that support learners in identifying and retrieving key details from a visual narrative.

About the Lesson:
This thought-provoking lesson follows a young girl who visits an orphanage and meets a boy longing for a yellow umbrella – triggering an emotional connection and a flashback to his past. Using this touching animated story, pupils will practise identifying and retrieving key facts, interpreting emotional responses, and backing up their answers using P.E.E (Point, Evidence, Explain).

What’s Included:

• Editable ActivInspire flipchart with learning objective and structured tasks (PDF included).
• Retrieval skill tips
• Guided video viewing
• 10 retrieval comprehension questions with answers
• Discussion-based plenary on the story’s theme
• Video Link: Umbrella – YouTube Short Film
• Answer Slide Set – great for peer/self-marking or teacher modelling

Key Features:

• Focus on retrieval skills with visual storytelling – ideal for developing inference and emotional literacy
• Linked to the National Curriculum (UK): supports reading comprehension, identifying key information, and explaining understanding using evidence
• Fully editable and adaptable for your classroom needs
• Ready to use for cover lessons, guided reading, enrichments or whole-class comprehension
• No printing required

Perfect For:

• KS2 / Grades 4–6 (US)
• English / Literacy / Guided Reading lessons
• Whole-class teaching or small group work
• Emotional literacy & PSHE crossover
• Homework, enrichments or independent tasks