Free teaching resource for The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson. Suitable for KS1–KS2 (Years 1–5). Printable using Ctrl+P.
Before reading: ask pupils to call out words for what the dark means to them. Display them. After reading: ask again. Compare. How has the class's word map changed? Use this to introduce the idea that perspective changes meaning.
Assign each of the six human characters to a group of pupils. Each group re-reads their character's chapter and prepares to explain (in character) what the dark means to them and why. Then 'Plop' (another pupil) interviews each character. What is the most convincing answer?
Plop meets a seventh person. Who is it? What do they do at night? What word do they use to describe the dark? Pupils write the new chapter in Tomlinson's style — including Plop's arrival, the conversation and his reflection afterwards.
Pupils research one nocturnal British animal (barn owl, badger, fox, hedgehog, moth). They find: what it looks like, what it eats, when it is active, and one interesting fact. Present as a nocturnal animals display.
Pupils write a short persuasive paragraph arguing that the dark is [their chosen word]. They must give at least two reasons and a specific example. Model using one of the book's characters as an example before pupils write independently.
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