Engaging with the opening chapter of 'The BFG'
I can read aloud and discuss the opening chapter of 'The BFG’.
Engaging with the opening chapter of 'The BFG'
I can read aloud and discuss the opening chapter of 'The BFG’.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Reading aloud involves using an expressive voice, varying volume, emphasising keywords and using facial expressions.
- Roald Dahl uses repetition, ambiguity and a cliffhanger to create a scary atmosphere in the opening chapter.
- Inferring is about drawing conclusions or making educated guesses based on information and clues provided in a text.
- Evidence from the text is used to support inferences we make about a character or an event in a text.
- Precise vocabulary choices, setting descriptions and purposeful sentence structures are used to build suspense.
Keywords
Evidence - the information from a text that can support or justify our reasoning
Inference - a conclusion drawn from information and evidence in a text
Atmosphere - the feeling a writer wants their readers to experience, like suspense or fear or joy
Common misconception
Pupils may find it difficult to understand elements from the opening due to unfamiliar vocabulary.
Pre-teach unfamiliar vocabulary from the opening, using visual images to support student understanding.
To help you plan your year 3 english lesson on: Engaging with the opening chapter of 'The BFG', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 3 english lesson on: Engaging with the opening chapter of 'The BFG', 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 'The BFG': reading and narrative writing unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the Puffin Books 2001 edition of 'The BFG' by Roald Dahl for this lesson.
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a large room with many beds
ray of light from the moon
bent and twisted