My classroom copy has been loved and shared many times.
I was a brand new teacher and I finally had my own classroom, but one thing I'll never forget was when my mentor at the school recommended that I choose The BFG as my first read-aloud. I fell in love with the novel on the first page. Roald Dahl's words drew me in and enthralled the kids.
Every year that I taught 3rd and 4th grade, The BFG made an appearance as a read-aloud. It was a must in my classroom. It's not only a book that I thoroughly enjoy (every time I pick it up), but it's mesmerizing for the kids. As a result, I've made multiple lesson plans over the years to go with the novel. But here are my top 4 recommendations for bringing a Big Friendly Giant into your classroom.
1. Play with Rich, Unusual Vocabulary
Roald Dahl's words are simply scrumdiddlyumptious! First, each scene is wonderfully descriptive. There are words like: moonlit, craggy, snaking, and desolate. But what makes it even more fun and unique is that Roald Dahl creates new, fantastic words for the giants - words like: cannybull, gobblefunk, moocheling, and puddlenuts! But these words aren't just gibberish. Roald Dahl artfully crafted these words and gave them context, which makes uncovering the meaning part of the fun.
Here are a few games to pair with the novel:
Individual Learning Games
- Word Search: This relaxing classic is guaranteed to give your students great dictionary practice and have fun while searching for key words.
- Comic Strip: Grab those colored pencils or markers and let the creativity flow. Students create a comic strip that summarizes the chapter and incorporates important vocabulary.
- Roll a Word: Shake! Shake! Shake! The dice will determine if your students focus on guide words, pronunciation or parts of speech.
Partner Activities and Games
- Dominoes: Vocabulary Dominoes is simply the classic game of Dominoes, but with BFG vocabulary words on the dominoes instead of dots. Students make a domino train by matching the terms with definitions.
- Guess my Word: Spin the spinner and see where it lands. Practice vocabulary by rhyming words, acting or drawing a sketch.
- Cootie Catcher: Everyone loves Cootie Catchers! Cootie Catchers are a fun origami craft that can also serve to teach your children vocabulary in a creative, hands-on way.
- Vocabulary Checkers: Sentences are important in this game. In order for a player to move a checker, the BFG word has to be used correctly in a sentence.
- Vocabulary Puzzles: Puzzles provide a quick and fun way for students to learn new words by matching definitions and synonyms.
Whole Class Vocabulary Games
- Vocab on the Move: It’s time to get up and move! Word work is much more exciting when the vocabulary word is placed on your forehead.
- I Have, Who Has?: The BFG speaks in an unusual way and often gets words confused. This game encourages students to use context clues to figure out what the BFG is saying.
- Heads Down, Vocab Up: Does your class love to play Heads Up, Seven Up? If so, then this game is perfect for your classroom. Heads Down, Vocab Up is a similar game, only using vocabulary cards.
- The BFG Bingo: Who doesn't like the excitement of finding the last item on your Bingo card, jumping out of your seat, and shouting you won? Bingo is a tremendously fun game to play as a whole class and it helps practice vocabulary.
2. Use the Fantasy to Inspire Art Projects
Such a wonderfully fantastic story really gets the imagination going. This dodecahedron puzzle brings together twelve different activities that get the kids thinking, drawing, and writing. When it's all finished they match up the tabs and assemble the 3-D puzzle. Not only is it fun to do, but it looks great when it's all together.
Here are the 12 activities on the Dodecahedron Puzzle:
- Cause and Effect
- Fact and Opinion
- Draw the Vocabulary Word
- Novel Award – Writing Prompt
- Visualizing
- Giant Country – Five Senses
- Character Birthday Present – Writing Prompt
- Biopoem - Sophie
- Character Traits – BFG and Fleshlumpeater
- A Character Like Me
- Life Lesson – Story Message
- Book Sequel – Writing Prompt
3. Do Math with Giants
The BFG is a magical novel that creates a love for reading in all children. So why can’t this beloved novel, also inspire a love of math? That was my ultimate goal when creating this lesson.
The math companion comes with 27 lessons that cover:
- Operations and Algebraic Thinking
- Numbers and Operations in Base Ten
- Numbers and Operations in Fractions
- Measurement and Data
- Geometry
4. Compare and Contrast Steven Spielberg's Movie
Who could have imagined that Steven Spielberg would bring the Big Friendly Giant to the silver screen? I created this packet as a creative way for students to celebrate the much anticipated release.
The movie companion comes with 5 activities:
Activity #1: Whoopsy-Whiffling Motion Picture – Trifold Brochure
Does your class enjoy sharing their thoughts and expressing their opinions? If so, then this brochure is perfect for your classroom. In this trifold, students have the opportunity to write a letter to the director, list five reasons why the movie is Whoopsy-Whiffling, analyze aspects of the movie and illustrate the most memorial scene from the motion picture.
Activity #2: Dillions of Gobblefunk – Candy Box Movie Comparison
Grasp those crayons, colored pencils or markers and let the imagination flow. Students create an interactive one of a kind candy bar that they would enjoy eating while watching the movie. Inside of the candy bar, students list five ways that the film is different from the novel.
Activity #3: My Jumbly Thoughts – Pop up Activity
A pop-up activity is a engaging craft that can serve as a platform for students to express their thoughts about the film in a creative, hands-on way. Students will choose a boy or girl pop up character and then answer writing prompts such as: An interesting thought I have is….
Activity #4: Crodscollop Flick and Novel Rating - Mini Book
The Crodscollop Flick and Novel Rating mini book provides a quick and fun way for students to evaluate the movie by rating the novel and flick. What is more, learners justify their rating by supporting their answer.
Activity #5: Scrumdiddlyumptious Flick – 3D Popcorn Box
Yum! Yum! Yum! The highlight of The BFG movie packet is creating a 3D popcorn box filled with buttery popcorn words to describe the movie. This activity is guaranteed to be a hit with your students. In this project, students create a new title for the motion picture, illustrate the scariest giant and write about events in the movie that can and can not occur in real life.
I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE RESOURCES.
Happy Learning! - RS
