The BFG – By Roald Dahl
Story Summary
A young orphan girl named Sophie lives in an orphanage run by the horrible Mrs. Clonkers. One night Sophie discovers a giant outside her bedroom window. He whisks her away to his homeland Giant Country. Sophie learns that the giant calls himself The Big Friendly Giant (BFG), who blows dreams into children’s bedrooms at night. Sophie and The BFG quickly become friends and embark on a great adventure together.
Recommended Ages: Grades 3 – 5
Activity 1
As the students have just started reading The BFG, gather the class on the carpet to introduce a writing activity. Write this prompt on chart paper – “You have just been picked up by giant hands. What would happen next?” Have the students turn and talk to the person sitting next to them. Now have students share their ideas while the teacher writes them on the chart paper. Once students have shared ideas, send them back to their seat with lined paper to start writing. When students have finished their writing, gather the class back on the carpet to share what they wrote.
Materials
Activity 2
There are so many made-up interesting words that Roald Dahl has created in The BFG.
Give each student a Blank Book. In this book students can keep a list of new words made up in the BFG. They can create their own BFG dictionary. Encourage students to decorate the cover of their books and also draw pictures to match the made up words.
Materials
Activity 3
The BFG talks about dreams and uses great descriptive words to describe his dreams. Gather the class together and have some students share a favorite dream they have. Let the class know they are going to make their own Dream Jars. The teacher can model a Dream Jar he/she already made as an example. Students will get to decorate their Dream Jars and then place descriptive words about their dreams in the jars. Provide the students with a variety of craft materials to decorate their jars.
Materials
- Mason Jars
- Color Splash Glitter Glue Pens
- 3D Foam Stickers
- Foam Shapes with Adhesive
- Spectra Art Tissue Paper
- Elmer’s Glue Sticks
(This is a sample of craft materials. Teachers can choose other materials as well)
Activity 4
The BFG catches dreams and then gives good dreams to children all over the world. Have the students draw a picture of what might be in The BFG’s suitcase after he has been dream-catching. Once the students are done, they can share their drawings with the rest of the class.
Materials
Guest Blogger: Melinda Brown, Reading Recovery Teacher at East Lyme Public
Have you read the BFG and come up with some fun classroom activities? Comment below with your ideas!
Also great news, they are making this book into a movie! The BFG movie comes to theaters on July 1st 2016.
