Exploring and engaging with themes in 'How to Train Your Dragon’
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify and reflect on the key themes in 'How to Train Your Dragon'.
Key learning points
- Hiccup’s character goes on a transformation throughout the text; he begins the text as an unlikely hero
- Hiccup’s characterisation does not remain fixed; by the end of the text he demonstrates many heroic qualities
- A theme is a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story
- Themes can leave us with ideas and questions that we reflect on after reading the text
Keywords
Theme - A theme is a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story.
Convey - To convey means to communicate a message to the reader directly or indirectly.
Hero - A hero is a protagonist with noble qualities, often saving or helping others.
Common misconception
Pupils may find it challenging to think of two distinct similarities and differences.
Pupils could mind map character traits of Toothless and compare these to character studies of Hiccup.
Teacher tip
Following the lesson, you may wish to read the remainder of the text. 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.Which spelling is correct for the main protagonist of 'How to Train Your Dragon'?
Q2.What strategy does Hiccup try that motivates Toothless the best in the text?
Q3.True or False? Toothless is a selfish dragon.
Q4.Which of the following are dragon breeds mentioned in the text so far?
Q5.What is a suitable definition of a theme?
Q6.What is a suitable definition of loyalty?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their definition.
a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story
to communicate a message to the reader directly or indirectly
a protagonist with noble qualities, often saving or helping others
Q2.What language does Hiccup use to speak with The Green Death?
Q3.Which of the following characters stand up for Hiccup when Snotlout is picking on him?
Q4.Which of the following are reasons why the larger dragon is nicknamed 'The Purple Death'?
Q5.Match the following dragons to their masters.
Fishlegs
Snotlout
Hiccup
Q6.Sequence the following events in the order that they happen in the Chapter.
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Exploring and engaging with themes in '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: Exploring and engaging with themes in '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.