Engaging with the context of 'How To Train Your Dragon'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can understand the context of ‘How to Train Your Dragon'.
Key learning points
- ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ is an illustrated chapter book.
- The text draws influences from Viking history, Norse mythology and folklore.
- The text references the notion of being a hero.
- Understanding the context of the story can help readers build connections and deepen understanding.
Keywords
Context - The context is the surrounding details that help you understand what you're reading.
Norse mythology - Norse mythology is a set of ancient tales of Scandinavian gods, beliefs, and the worlds they inhabit.
Folklore - Folklore is a genre in which oral stories are shared and passed down over time.
Impression - An impression refers to initial feelings about a person, place or thing, gained from reading a text.
Common misconception
Pupils may not be familiar with some of the Norse mythology references.
Pupils could explore texts that develop their understanding of Norse myths, such as 'Norse Myths: Tales of Odin, Thor and Loki', written by Kevin Crossley-Holland and illustrated by Jeffrey Alan Love.
Teacher tip
'A Note from Hiccup' could be given to pupils to read prior to starting the unit. This will introduce them to the central protagonist and some of the key themes explored in the text.
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.Which of the following describes a riddle?
Q2.True or False? Non-fiction texts are books or articles that provide factual information about real people, events or topics.
Q3.Match the non-fiction text feature to what it helps you do.
find the right page quickly
find out what a word means
understand a picture
Q4.Match the following terms to their definitions.
a person or an animal in a story
where the story takes place
what happens in the story
Q5.A myth is...?
Q6.Which of the following are examples of mythical creatures?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the following keywords to their definitions.
the surrounding details that help understand what you're reading
a set of ancient tales of Scandinavian gods, beliefs and worlds
a genre in which oral stories are shared and passed down over time
Q2.An impression refers to...
Q3.True or False? 'How to Train Your Dragon' is set in a fictional world.
Q4.Which of the following describes Valhalla?
Q5.Which of the following are features of a traditional myth?
Q6.True or False? Based on the text, the Vikings were very democratic people.
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Engaging with the context of 'How To Train Your Dragon', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Engaging with the context of 'How To Train Your Dragon', 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.