Exploring character, setting and plot in 'How To Train Your Dragon'
I can show an understanding of the characters, plot and setting of ‘How to Train Your Dragon’.
Exploring character, setting and plot in 'How To Train Your Dragon'
I can show an understanding of the characters, plot and setting of ‘How to Train Your Dragon’.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Hiccup is not a typical hero character
- Stories may portray heroes in various ways
- There are some common character traits heroes have, such as courage and determination
- Authors can appeal to the senses when describing settings
- Role on the wall is a reading activity that helps readers develop their understanding of a character
Keywords
Hero - A hero is a protagonist with noble qualities, often saving or helping others.
Character traits - Character traits are the special qualities that make a character in a story unique and interesting.
Role on the wall - Role on the wall is a character analysis activity which encourages readers to infer.
Common misconception
Pupils may find role play as Hiccup challenging.
Note down initial impressions and character traits of Hiccup from reading Chapters 1 and 2. Discuss how pupils might 'show not tell' these before Task A.
To help you plan your year 5 english lesson on: Exploring character, setting and plot in 'How To Train Your Dragon', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 5 english lesson on: Exploring character, setting and plot 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 secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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
Starter quiz
6 Questions
loud, tall, strong
boastful, mean
apprehensive, unsure
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a character with noble qualities, often saving or helping others
the qualities that make a character in a story unique and interesting
a character analysis activity which encourages readers to infer