English Language
OP10 P6 Reading Circles – Number the Stars
Date: 1 April 2026
Time: 1400-1600
Venue: Alexandra Primary School
Teacher: Ms Priscilla Chiang Shiau Chuen (Alexandra Primary School)
This open classroom will feature a live Reading Circles session with Primary 6 students based on Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. Set against the backdrop of World War II in Denmark, the lesson invites students to explore how the author uses craft, characterisation, setting and tension to surface ideas of courage and moral choice.
While the facilitator holds a broad thesis in mind, the direction of the discussion is intentionally shaped by students’ observations, interpretations and questions. Through dialogue, collaboration and purposeful prompts, students will interact with selected passages to consider how historical fiction brings lived experiences during times of conflict to life. Literary elements such as perspective, contrast, symbolism and moments of tension will emerge through the discussion.
Each lesson is designed to be dynamic and responsive. Outcomes may differ from one session to another, as students push boundaries, surface unexpected insights and make personal or contemporary connections.
Observers are invited to witness — and be surprised by — how student voice, curiosity and critical thinking shape meaning-making in real time.
This session illustrates how Reading Circles keeps reading authentic, student-centred and exploratory within a broader talent development approach.
Priscilla Chiang is the Head of Department for English Language at Alexandra Primary School. She is deeply involved in curriculum design, teacher professional learning and the development of learning experiences for both High Ability and mainstream learners in the area of literacy. In 2021, she piloted Number the Stars in Reading Circles, with specialists from the Gifted Education Branch sitting in on lessons to observe, provide feedback and co-construct improvements. Since then, she has refined and iterated the lesson more than five times, based on classroom observations, student responses and professional dialogue.
She has shared her experiences at Reading Circles workshops and also shared the school’s journey in High Ability Learner (HAL) provision at the GEB Key Personnel Seminars in 2022, 2023 and 2025.