Exploring themes in 'The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark' | English

Starter quiz

What type of text is 'The Owl Who was Afraid of the Dark'?
- newspaper
- fiction ✓
- non-fiction
True or false? The author of 'The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark' is Jill Tomlinson.
- True ✓
- False
True or false? Plop is just the same as every other barn owl.
- True
- False ✓
Match the character from the story to the word they used to describe the dark.
- young boy
  
  ⇔
  
  exciting ✓
- old woman
  
  ⇔
  
  kind ✓
- Scout
  
  ⇔
  
  fun ✓
Which of the following describe Plop's appearance?
- curious
- kind
- round, fluffy body ✓
- soft feathers ✓
Which of the following describe Plop's personality?
- curious ✓
- brave ✓
- clumsy
- round eyes

True or false? Your personal response to a story should be the same as your partner's.
- True
- False ✓
Match the character from the story to the word they used to describe the dark.
- young girl
  
  ⇔
  
  necessary ✓
- man with telescope
  
  ⇔
  
  wonderful ✓
- Orion the cat
  
  ⇔
  
  beautiful ✓
True or false? Plop changes his mind about the dark by the end of the story.
- True ✓
- False
Match the keywords to their correct definitions.
- theme
  
  ⇔
  
  the big idea or lesson that the author wants you to explore ✓
- courage
  
  ⇔
  
  the ability to do something that frightens you ✓
- curiosity
  
  ⇔
  
  a strong desire to know or learn something ✓
Select the themes that could be found in 'The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark'.
- courage ✓
- learning ✓
- cruelty
- selfishness
- beauty of the natural world ✓
Select the themes that could be found in 'The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark'.
- family ✓
- overcoming fear ✓
- growth ✓
- climate change
- disobedience

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Plop is a young barn owl who is initially scared of the dark but gradually learns to appreciate the night time.
Plop meets lots of characters who all help him in overcoming his fear of the dark.
A personal response is what you think and how you feel about the story, including whether you liked it or not.
The theme in a story is the big idea or lesson that the author wants you to explore and understand through reading.
Key themes in ‘The Owl who was Afraid of the Dark’ are curiosity and courage.

Pupils may think that Plop was not brave because he was scared of the dark.

Explain to the children that bravery/ courage is all about facing your fears and doing something even though it might frighten you.

Personal response - what you think and how you feel about the story and whether you liked it or not
Theme - the big idea or lesson that the author wants you to explore and understand through reading
Curiosity - a strong desire to know or learn something
Courage - the ability to do something that frightens you