Darwin's Dragons - Session 18 - Chapters 58 - 59 - Worksheet

In the eighteenth session of "Darwin's Dragons," students delve into Chapters 58 and 59, engaging with a range of discussion questions that probe the motivations and emotions of characters such as Farthing, Covington, and Darwin. The questions stimulate reflection on Farthing's hesitation to leave Covington, Covington's feelings upon releasing the dragons, and Darwin's decision to assist Covington after the dragons' release. These discussions are aimed at developing students' reading and comprehension skills, specifically focusing on inference and understanding characters' perspectives.

The session also includes a variety of reading activities, where students are encouraged to continue a timeline that tracks the key events of the story. They explore Covington's thoughts and feelings in depth, complemented by separate resources designed to enhance their comprehension. Grammar and punctuation are also a focus, with exercises on expanded noun phrases, modal verbs, hyphens, and the use of semi-colons. A 'Grammar Hunt' activity is provided to reinforce these concepts. Additionally, students workshop words to expand their vocabulary, covering terms like 'recognition', 'noxious', and 'terrifying'. Writing opportunities are presented, where students can craft letters, diary entries, and news reports related to the story's events, fostering creativity and writing skills.

Cross-curricular links are abundant in this session, connecting the literature to a variety of subjects. In science, students can explore topics such as plants, animals, rocks, habitats, and evolution, while in computing, they can create databases and film news reports. Historical context is provided through a study of Victorian England, and geography lessons focus on identifying countries and understanding physical and human characteristics, climate zones, and natural phenomena. Physical education activities include swimming and life-saving, and religious education explores creation stories. Finally, PSHE discussions around courage, resilience, determination, honesty, and animal rights encourage students to consider their responsibilities towards the environment and the wider world.