Matilda Lesson Plan

School Reports

Kind of Activity:

Creative Writing

Objective:

Students will use Dahl's exaggerated style to create their own school reports

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.1; CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.3; CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.4

Structure:

Read the beginning of Chapter 1 aloud to the class, particularly the part where the speaker imagines sending school reports home to overly doting parents. Have fun with these readings—make them exaggerated and dramatic, trying to capture Dahl's wry and sarcastic tone.

Ask students to write two of their own school reports—one by a teacher who thinks they're the most amazing person on earth, and one by a teacher who is as nasty...