Darwin's Dragons - Session 18 - Reading Comprehension

In Session 18 of 'Darwin's Dragons', a reading comprehension activity designed for KS2 students, the session delves into the motivations and emotions of the character Covington. Questions are posed to the students to engage with the text on a deeper level, such as exploring Covington's reasons for crawling into an access pipe and his personal conflict over the ethics of keeping dragons in captivity. Students are also asked to infer why Covington feels unworthy of Farthing's care and affection, and to identify the signs that indicate Farthing is maturing into an adult dragon.

The session further prompts students to consider Darwin's actions that surprise Covington and to discuss Covington’s desired living location. A question on the meaning of the phrase 'in the same boat' challenges students to interpret figurative language. To consolidate their understanding of the text, students are tasked with summarising the session in no more than 50 words, requiring them to distil the essence of the narrative and demonstrate comprehension. This exercise not only enhances their grasp of the story's plot but also sharpens their summarising skills.