Darwin's Dragons - Session 11 - Chapters 34 - 36 - Worksheet

In Session 11 of "Darwin's Dragons," students delve into Chapters 34 to 36 and explore a variety of discussion questions and reading activities. They are prompted to speculate on Covington's motives for capsizing the boat and discuss how Farthing manages to rescue him. Additionally, the students consider why Covington chooses to share the discovery of the dragon with Darwin. These discussion questions aim to deepen students' understanding of the characters' motivations and the impact of their actions within the narrative.

The session also offers a range of reading and writing activities. Students are encouraged to continue adding to a timeline that tracks the book's key events and to compile lists of the flora and fauna mentioned throughout the story. They compare the thoughts and feelings of Darwin and Covington during the rescue scene, using separate resources to support their analysis. Grammar and punctuation skills are honed through a 'Grammar Hunt,' focusing on areas such as the subjunctive mood, direct speech, conjunctions, and adjectives. Additionally, there's a 'Words to Workshop' section that helps expand vocabulary with words such as 'cowered,' 'mythical,' and 'torment.' Writing opportunities include creating diary entries from the perspectives of Darwin and Covington, as well as a narrative from a crewman's viewpoint.

The worksheet also outlines cross-curricular links, integrating the story with subjects like Science, Computing, History, Geography, Design and Technology (DT), Physical Education (PE), Religious Education (RE), and Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE). These links provide a comprehensive educational approach, allowing students to create databases, webpages, models of the Beagle, and to discuss broader themes such as evolution, Victorian England, and personal survival skills. The session is designed to not only enhance literary skills but also to foster a multidisciplinary understanding, encouraging students to connect literature with real-world knowledge and experiences.