Building comprehension of 'The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark'

English

In The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark’, pupils read a linear narrative with an animal as the protagonist. In ’The Sheep Pig’, pupils will read another narrative where animals are the protagonists and will discuss the features of narrative writing in more detail.’

In The Wolf, The Duck and The Mouse’, pupils read and discussed a narrative story. In ’The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark’, children will read and listen to a more challenging narrative. They will infer meaning to build understanding.’

In this unit, pupils read and explore the text, 'The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark'. They use a range of strategies to build their understanding of the plot and the characters. Finally, they explore the key themes in the text and give a personal response.

'The Owl who was Afraid of the Dark': reading

to draw conclusions from clues within the text

Match the keyword to the correct definition.

What was Plop trying to do at the beginning of Chapter Three?

Match the character Plop has met so far, to the word they used to describe the dark.

Mr and Mrs Barn Owl went out hunting but Plop decided not to go with them.

Plop heard noises from down below so he decided to be brave and go down.

Plop met a Scout who was guarding a fire and told Plop why the dark was ‘fun’.

Plop joined the Scouts for singing round the fire & then went back to his tree.

Order the following events from Chapter Three.

It helps us clarify and understand things.

It offers opportunities for hearing different perspectives.

True or false? Plop enjoyed his time in the dark when he was with the Scouts round their fire.

a text that contains facts and true information

Plop and his mother are discussing the dark and how it makes Plop scared.

Plop’s mother tries to encourage Plop to stay positive about the dark. 

Plop meets a young boy who teaches him all about fireworks.

Plop and his parents watch the fireworks that night from their tree branch.

Order the following events from Chapter One.

Mr Barn Owl asked Plop if he wanted to go ‘hunting’ with him but Plop said no.

Plop’s mother encouraged him to go down from their tree to learn about the dark.

Plop met an old woman who told Plop that night time is ‘kind’.

Plop had a conversation with the old woman and then returned to his branch.

Order the following events from Chapter Two.

True or false? Plop says that he loves the dark after meeting the old woman.

The old woman in Chapter Two liked the dark because…

Starter Quiz