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      Chapters 4 & 5 and the evolution of the Iron Man

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can discuss how the Iron Man's character evolves over the course of the story.

      Key learning points

      1. In Chapter 4 of ‘The Iron Man’, the world faces threat from a flying creature named the space-bat-angel-dragon.
      2. In Chapter 5 of ‘The Iron Man’, the Iron Man defeats the space-bat-angel-dragon and protects the Earth.
      3. A character arc is a character’s transformation or journey over the course of a story.
      4. We can examine the Iron Man’s character arc by considering how he is viewed by others over the course of the story.
      5. The Iron Man’s character evolves from one that is feared into one that is understood and viewed as a hero.

      Keywords

      • Character arc - a character's transformation or journey over the course of a story

      • Evolve - to develop gradually

      • View - a particular opinion or way of thinking about someone or something

      Common misconception

      Children may assume 'evolution' refers to an internal or physical change in the Iron Man.

      Ask the children to consider whether they think the Iron Man always had the positive qualities we witness at the end. This is a great opportunity to explore the concept of 'perception'.

      Teacher tip

      Children need to have read Chapter 4 of 'The Iron Man' prior to this lesson. Cycle one of this lesson recaps Chapter 4 by summarising the key events. Children will read or listen to Chapter 5 in cycle two.

      Equipment

      You need a copy of the 2005 Faber and Faber edition of ‘The Iron Man’ by Ted Hughes for this lesson.

      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 character introduced in Chapter 4 of 'The Iron Man?

      the Iron Man
      Hogarth
      Correct answer: the space-bat-angel-dragon

      Q2.
      Which country did the space-bat-angel-dragon land on?

      Correct answer: Australia
      Armenia
      Austria

      Q3.
      What did the space-bat-angel-dragon demand when he landed on Earth?

      fun and games
      sleep and rest
      Correct answer: to be fed

      Q4.
      True or false? Humanity decided to give the space-bat-angel-dragon what he wanted.

      Correct Answer: False, false

      Q5.
      True or false? Humanity was initially successful in waging a war against the space-bat-angel-dragon.

      Correct Answer: False, false

      Q6.
      What did Hogarth persuade the Iron Man to do at the end of Chapter 4?

      to stop eating metal
      Correct answer: to defeat the space-bat-angel-dragon
      to work for the farmers

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Put the following events in order, from 1 - 4, to show the correct chronology of events in Chapter 4 of ‘The Iron Man’.

      1 - A star moved towards Earth with a black flying creature on it.
      2 - The creature landed on Australia and demanded to be fed.
      3 - Humanity failed in destroying the creature and were given a deadline.
      4 - Hogarth sought the help of the Iron Man, who said he would defeat the dragon.

      Q2.
      What does it mean to 'evolve'?

      to stay the same
      to suddenly change
      Correct answer: to develop gradually

      Q3.
      What is a character arc?

      Correct answer: a character’s transformation or journey over the course of a story
      what a character is like at the beginning of a story
      the ultimate fate of a character

      Q4.
      True or false? The other characters viewed the Iron Man the same way throughout the story.

      Correct Answer: False, false

      Q5.
      True or false? The Iron Man defeats the space-bat-angel-dragon.

      Correct Answer: True, true

      Q6.
      How does the Iron Man punish the space-bat-angel-dragon?

      He makes him go to sleep.
      He makes him fly to another country.
      Correct answer: He makes him produce music for the Earth from space.

      To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Chapters 4 & 5 and the evolution of the Iron Man, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...