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Characters, setting and plot in 'Paddington'

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can explore the characters, setting and plot in the story 'Paddington'.

Key learning points

  1. Stories have a beginning, middle and end.
  2. The Paddington book series is now also told through film and television programmes.
  3. Paddington is a a fictional story set in London.
  4. People may have different responses to a story, such as their favourite part and favourite character.

Keywords

  • Character - a person or animal in a story

  • Setting - where the story happens

  • Plot - what happens in a story

  • Prediction - making a guess using what we already know

  • Fiction - stories that have made-up characters, places, and adventures that did not happen in real life

Common misconception

Pupils may be familiar with Paddington already, making predicting difficult.

As shown in the slides, model the language of 'I predict ...' or 'I know that ...' and celebrate their existing knowledge. At the end of the lesson, ask the children what new information about the Paddington series they learnt in the lesson.

Teacher tip

Use the slides mainly as a basis for your discussion. The purpose of this lesson is to engage in the story, its characters, settings and plot. Printing them to see the key questions will help the lesson to flow.

Equipment

You will need a copy of the 2014 Harper Collins Children's Books edition of 'Paddington' by Michael Bond, illustrated by R. W. Alley for this lesson.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
What is the name of the person who writes a story?

the illustrator
Correct answer: the author
the illustration
the reader

Q2.
What is the name of the person who draws the pictures for a story?

the illustration
the reader
Correct answer: the illustrator
the author

Q3.
Match these key parts of a front cover to their definitions.

Correct Answer:illustration,a drawing

a drawing

Correct Answer:title,the name of a story

the name of a story

Correct Answer:author,the name of the writer of the story

the name of the writer of the story

Q4.
Which of these is the definition of a character?

where the story takes place
what happens in the story
Correct answer: a person or animal in the story

Q5.
Which of these is the definition of a setting?

Correct answer: where the story takes place
what happens in the story
a person or animal in the story

Q6.
Which of these is the definition of a plot?

where the story takes place
Correct answer: what happens in the story
a person or animal in the story

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these formats have been used to tell the story of Paddington?

Correct answer: books
newspapers
Correct answer: television series
Correct answer: films

Q2.
Match each key term to its example.

Correct Answer:title,Paddington

Paddington

Correct Answer:author,Michael Bond

Michael Bond

Correct Answer:illustrator,R. W. Alley

R. W. Alley

Q3.
The main character in the story is ...

the pigeon.
the taxi driver.
Jonathan.
Correct answer: Paddington.

Q4.
Which of these are settings in the story?

Correct answer: Paddington Station
the airport
Peru
Correct answer: the Browns' house

Q5.
Where does the story start?

the Browns' house
the bathtub
Correct answer: Paddington Station
the cafe

Q6.
Put the main events of the story in the correct order.

1 - Paddington and the family meet at the station.
2 - They travel to the Browns' house.
3 - The family offer him a bath and a marmalade sandwich.

To help you plan your 1 English lesson on: Characters, setting and plot in 'Paddington', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...