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'Mudpuddle Farm: Mossop’s Last Chance' First Impressions

Read this extract from the second chapter of ‘Mossop’s Last Chance’ (p.25).

Here, the old and rather lazy Mudpuddle Farm cat is getting a telling off from Farmer Rafferty for not doing his farm jobs properly.

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Quick Warm-Up Activity

If this is the answer, what is the question? Question:

Answer: in the barley sacks and the corn bin

Question: Answer: because he was feeling very worried

Discussion Activity Mossop is feeling so upset at the thought of losing his job on the farm that he decides to write a letter to say sorry to Farmer Rafferty.

Useful Words and Phrases sorry

corn bin

mice

rats

tasks

farmyard

apologise

disappointed

promise

concerned

effort

excuse

reliable

barley sacks

future

reason

hard-working

roof

Farmer Rafferty

explanation

loyal

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What could the letter say? What excuses could Mossop give for not being a good ratcatcher? What promises could he make about the future?

from your faithful old friend, Mossop.

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Dear Farmer Rafferty,

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‘Mudpuddle Farm: Mossop's Last Chance’ Adult Guidance

This ‘Mossop’s Last Chance’ activity pack contains an adult guidance sheet which includes an overview of the story and key skill questions that can be used to target pupils’ understanding as you are reading the book. The answer sheet contains example answers for the questions but pupils may have varied responses for some of the questions. Additionally, there is an activity sheet for children who may have not read the whole text before. This contains an extract from the text, a warm-up task and a writing activity.

Overview

Poor old Mossop - the Mudpuddle Farm cat. In his old age, all he wants to do is curl up and sleep but, when Farmer Rafferty finds mice in the corn bin, it looks as though Mossop will be thrown off the farm. He has just one chance - he must catch 26 mice by sunset. Luckily, Albertine the goose has a plan of how Mossop’s farmyard friends can help him meet the farmer’s challenge.

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‘Mudpuddle Farm: Mossop's Last Chance’ Adult Guidance

Explain Vocabulary

p.10: Why are the words ‘Wakey! Wakey! Wakey!’ written in such large bold letters?

p.18:

‘And Mossop was supposed to catch mice and rats.’

Infer

What do you think the author means by ‘supposed to’ in this sentence?

p.20: What did Farmer Rafferty find in the corn bin?

Predict

Retrieve

pp.22-23: What is the name of the goat on Mudpuddle Farm?

Why does Mossop take a big gulp? What do you think he is feeling?

p.27: Where did Mossop search for mice and rats first? Then, where did he look? Where did go next?

pp.27-31: List three excuses that Mossop gives for not being a good hunter anymore.

p.39: When he’s not wearing them, in which room does Farmer Rafferty usually keep his false teeth?

Infer

Sequence

Retrieve

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p.25:

‘Mudpuddle Farm: Mossop's Last Chance’ Adult Guidance

Explain Vocabulary

p.45: What words and phrases does the author use to show that Albertine the goose is excited to share her idea with the other animals?

pp.47-48: Why do you think that all the mice and rats on the farm decide to come to the emergency meeting?

p.50: What do you predict might happen if Peggoty didn’t sit on Jigger the Dog’s tail?

Infer

Predict

Explain Vocabulary

p.53: At the beginning of Chapter 3, how do you think Mossop is feeling and why?

pp.57-58: What route does Mossop take from the farmyard gate to go to see Farmer Rafferty?

pp.62-64: At this point in the story, Mossop must be feeling lots of different things. Can you think of two things Mossop may be feeling and explain why?

Infer

Sequence

Infer

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p.51: Why do you think the author has called the piglet ‘Pintsize’?

‘Mudpuddle Farm: Mossop's Last Chance’ Adult Guidance

Explain Vocabulary p.67: What do you think a ‘peace treaty’ might be?

Sequence

p.70: What happened at the end of the story? Was it a happy ending? Why or why not?

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Quick Warm-Up Activity Answers Example Answers Question: Where did Farmer Rafferty find mice on the farm? Answer: in the barley sacks and the corn bin

Question: Why does Mossop take a big gulp?

Answer: because he was feeling very worried

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