Darwin's Dragons - Session 2 - Chapters 4 - 6 - Worksheet

During Session 2, which encompasses Chapters 4 to 6 of "Darwin's Dragons," students delve into a series of discussion questions that probe the nuances of the text. They explore the meaning of colloquial terms such as 'bricky', the motivations behind 'the beast's' actions in taking Covington from the island, and the reasons for Covington's reflective thoughts about his father. These inquiries are designed to deepen comprehension and encourage critical thinking about character motivations and language use.

Reading activities for these chapters are varied and engaging, encouraging students to continue developing a timeline of key events and to list flora and fauna mentioned in the narrative. They are also invited to make predictions about upcoming plot developments and to express their interpretations through art by sketching 'the beast'. Grammar and punctuation exercises focus on modal verbs, conjunctions, the use of ellipsis, and rhetorical questions. Additionally, a 'Words to Workshop' section enhances vocabulary with terms such as 'maudlin', 'predator', and 'camouflage'. Writing opportunities are equally creative, ranging from crafting survival instructions to creating a comic strip depicting the beast's attack on Covington, while cross-curricular links weave in elements of science, computing, history, geography, art, music, PE, RE, and PSHE, providing a comprehensive educational experience.