Building comprehension of 'How To Train Your Dragon' through rich discussions
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can answer a range of comprehension questions on 'How to Train Your Dragon'.
Key learning points
- Skimming and scanning using your finger is a way to retrieve information accurately and quickly from a text
- Reading between the lines to search for clues can help to infer meaning
- Evidence from the text helps us to justify our inferences
- Different characters have different experiences and perspectives of each other
Keywords
Inference - Inference means to use clues from within the text to draw conclusions.
Evidence - Evidence is the information from a text that can support or justify our reasoning.
Impression - An impression refers to initial feelings about a person, place or thing, gained from reading a text.
Common misconception
If asked for more than one impression of a character, these may be similar or repetitive.
Encourage pupils to think of two distinct characteristics or feelings. This could be explored by creating a mind map about the character in question.
Teacher tip
Pupils could use 'Conscience Alley' to explore the decision that Hiccup makes in Task A in greater detail. Before the following lesson, read Chapters 8-9. Children can read independently or have this read to them.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2017 Hodder Children’s Books edition of ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ written and illustrated by Cressida Cowell, for this lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What mythology is 'How to Train Your Dragon' based on?
Q2.Which tribe does Hiccup belong to?
Q3.What is a suitable definition of the word obedient?
Q4.True or False? Fishlegs is without a dragon.
Q5.What heroic character traits has Hiccup demonstrated so far in the story?
Q6.What is an impression?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What language does Hiccup communicate with Toothless in?
Q2.Match the following keywords to their definitions.
to use clues from within the text to draw conclusions.
the information from a text that can support or justify our reasoning
initial feelings about a person, place or thing, gained from reading
Q3.What technique does Toothless use to make him appear bigger?
Q4.True or False? Toothless is a very obedient dragon.
Q5.What are the names of Stoick's dragons?
Q6.Who convinces Stoick that Toothless is in fact a rare and special dragon?
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Building comprehension of 'How To Train Your Dragon' through rich discussions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Building comprehension of 'How To Train Your Dragon' through rich discussions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the 'How To Train Your Dragon': reading unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.