Exploring themes in 'The Iron Man' | English | Quizalize & Oak National Academy

Starter quiz

Who is the author of 'The Iron Man'?
- Tom Hughes
- Ted Hughes ✓
- Hugh Thomas
Who is the protagonist in 'The Iron Man'?
- the space-bat-angel-dragon
- Hogarth
- the Iron Man ✓
Put the summaries of each chapter of the story in the correct order to show their chronology.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  The Iron Man fell off a cliff, broke into pieces and put himself back together.
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  The Iron Man ate the farmers' machinery. They responded angrily by burying him.
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  The Iron Man resurfaced. Hogarth found a solution & took him to a scrapyard.
- 4
  
  ⇔
  
  The space-bat-angel-dragon threatened the Earth.
- 5
  
  ⇔
  
  The Iron Man battled and defeated the dragon, protecting the Earth.
True or false? Humanity views the Iron Man the same way throughout the story.
- True
- False ✓
Put the following perceptions of the Iron Man in order to show how the he is viewed over the course of the story.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  mysterious/different
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  feared/hated
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  understood/accepted
- 4
  
  ⇔
  
  respected/needed
- 5
  
  ⇔
  
  admired/celebrated
What skill do we use to uncover the deeper meaning behind a story?
- retrieving key words
- inference ✓
- sequencing events

Exit quiz

What is a theme?
- a summary of what happens in a story
- a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story ✓
- a character's journey within a story
True or false? Themes within a text are explicitly stated by the author.
- True
- False ✓
Which of the following are key themes in 'The Iron Man'?
- difference ✓
- family
- perception ✓
- understanding ✓
- nature
Match each theme to the correct definition.
- difference
  
  ⇔
  
  a way in which people or things are dissimilar ✓
- perception
  
  ⇔
  
  the way in which something or someone is viewed or interpreted ✓
- understanding
  
  ⇔
  
  showing that you realise someone’s true feelings and intentions ✓
Match each theme to how it is explored in the story.
- difference
  
  ⇔
  
  The protagonist is a robot in a human world. ✓
- perception
  
  ⇔
  
  Humanity's view of the Iron Man changes. ✓
- understanding
  
  ⇔
  
  Hogarth empathises with the Iron Man and sees his true intentions. ✓
Which of the following are lessons that could be learnt from the story?
- If somebody is different, you should fear them.
- You should not judge or treat somebody based on their differences. ✓
- It is important to show understanding and acceptance towards others. ✓
- The way you see something is always accurate and true.

Worksheet

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Presentation

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

The Iron Man goes from being feared due to his difference, to being understood, accepted and ultimately admired.
A theme is a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story and authors use these to convey deeper meaning.
Considering the deeper meaning behind the Iron Man’s story can help us identify themes.
Key themes such as difference, perception and understanding are explored through the Iron Man’s character arc.
The themes within ‘The Iron Man’ help us learn important lessons about issues and topics in our own lives.

Common misconception

Children may have misconceptions around the Iron Man's character arc and think that this focuses on how he changes as a character.

Explain that the main focus of the Iron Man's character arc is not how he changes, but how the way in which he is perceived by others changes. You can also explore the concept that acceptance allows people to show the best of themselves.

Keywords

Theme - a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story
Difference - a way in which people or things are dissimilar
Perception - the way in which something or someone is viewed or interpreted
Understanding - showing that you realise someone’s true feelings and intentions