literacy

Characters
 * Activities - explore the main characters and build a character wheel using template from Sheena Cameron's book (or create own) "The Reading Activity Book" - see image.
 * Create a googledoc for the class to add to - make a list of the places in the story and draw a character map showing where each character is from. This can be developed in conjunction with 'setting' activities and even plot.
 * Use dragon template in Sheena Cameron book and write key adjectives from the text to describe Toothless.
 * Display of adjectives on the wall - brainstorm from stories
 * Write a letter to Hiccup comparing his life to yours
 * Write a description of the world's best pet as if it is Toothless - make it as humourous as you can!
 * Make a complaint - write a letter to Stoick the Vast complaining about life on Berk
 * Create a wanted poster for a pet - use the iPad app "wanted poster"
 * Magic bag game - copy and laminate images of the characters, place in the bag, take turns drawing one out and the child has to describe this character so others can guess. To make it harder, the class get to ask 20 closed questions (yes/no answers only)
 * my life/your life - compare and contrast your life with one of the characters
 * use playdough or clay to create a 3D model of dragons

Plot
 * Check the plot from the storybook against the movie (original first book) - venn diagram
 * chart the plot as a story mountain - because these stories have MANY climaxes, you may need several mountains! The peak of the mountain is the peak of the story!
 * Conflict/resolution - Hiccup tends to have a lot of conflicts in the story - brainstorm some solutions with a partner and compare
 * relationships - create a family tree for Hiccup
 * character creator - can you create a younger sibling for Hiccup, Fishlegs or Camicazi?
 * fact and fantasy- create a list of things in the story that could be factual and those which are definitely fantasy

Setting
 * create a map of the Archipelago - plot each place with a mark to indicate where Hiccup travels
 * find a place in an atlas that may be similar to where the Archipelago is - justify your opinion
 * create a 3D model of the village or Hiccup's home, the Doubtful Puffin or the island (use clay)