Introduction
The BFG ESL Lesson Plan is designed to engage students in English language learning through the beloved children’s book “The BFG” by Roald Dahl. This lesson plan aims to cultivate language skills, including vocabulary expansion, reading comprehension, and creative writing, while immersing students in an imaginative and captivating story. By exploring themes and characters from “The BFG,” students can enhance their language proficiency in a fun and dynamic way, making the learning process both engaging and effective.
Vocabulary Building
Vocab
Vocab |
Definition |
|---|---|
Giant |
A mythical being of human appearance, but of enormous size and strength. |
Dream-catching |
The act of collecting dreams in a magical jar, as depicted in the story. |
Whizzpopper |
An onomatopoeic term used to describe the act of flatulence by the Big Friendly Giant. |
Snozzcumber |
A foul-tasting vegetable that features prominently in ‘The BFG.’ |
Frobscottle |
A green fizzy drink with bubbles that move downwards and causes ‘whizzpopping’ (flatulence) to be pleasant rather than unpleasant because it is lighter than air. |
Contextual Usage
1. The BFG, short for The Big Friendly Giant, is the main character in Roald Dahl’s book.
2. In one scene, the BFG uses his dream-catching skills to capture good dreams for children around the world.
3. The BFG introduces Sophie to a rather unappealing vegetable called snozzcumber.
4. The book humorously describes the effects of drinking frobscottle and experiencing whizzpopping – an entertaining concept for students to explore creatively through language activities.
ESL Warm-up Activity
To set the tone for the lesson, begin by asking students to close their eyes and imagine they are in a world where dreams are collected in jars. Encourage them to describe what they see, hear, and feel using descriptive language. This activity not only immerses students in the fantastical elements of ‘The BFG,’ but also sets the stage for exploring vocabulary related to dreams and imagination.
Main ESL Lesson Activities
Vocabulary Activity: Dream Jar Creations
Divide the class into groups and provide each group with art supplies. Instruct them to create their own dream jars, incorporating descriptive vocabulary from the story to label or describe the dreams inside. Encourage students to discuss and share their creations with the class, explaining their choices of dreams and related vocabulary.
Listening Activity: Giant Sound Effects
Play audio clips of various sounds (e.g., footsteps, giggles, whizzpopping), and ask students to identify which sound belongs to a giant or another character from “The BFG.” This activity allows for lively discussions about how sound effects contribute to characterization in storytelling.
Roleplay Activity: Character Conversations
Assign students different characters from “The BFG” and have them create dialogues based on interactions between these characters. Encourage them to use expressive language and gestures during their roleplay performances.
Reading & Writing Activity: Dream Narratives
Ask students to write a short narrative about a dream they would want the BFG to capture for them, using vivid vocabulary inspired by the book. After writing, students can take turns reading their narratives aloud or sharing with a partner for feedback.
ESL Homework Assignment
For homework, students are encouraged to write a short story or descriptive paragraph about their own dream-catching adventure, inspired by the themes and characters from “The BFG.” They should incorporate newly acquired vocabulary and descriptive language learned in class. Additionally, students can practice dialogue writing by creating conversations between themselves and a fictional giant character. This assignment reinforces the lesson content while promoting creativity and language development outside the classroom.
Conclusion
Key Points Summary
Throughout this lesson, students delved into the captivating world of “The BFG” by Roald Dahl, expanding their vocabulary with terms such as “giant,” “dream-catching,” “whizzpopper,” “snozzcumber,” and “frobscottle.” They also engaged in various language activities, including creating dream jars, identifying giant sound effects, roleplaying character dialogues, and writing dream narratives.
Reflection and Application
As students reflect on this lesson’s activities and discussions about “The BFG,” they can recognize how exploring literature enhances their language skills. The imaginative themes in the story allowed them to apply descriptive vocabulary creatively. This experience serves as a reminder that language development goes beyond textbooks; it thrives through storytelling and creative expression. Students can apply this newfound vocabulary enriching their future writing assignments and oral communication skills.
Why this topic is great for ESL learning
Engaging and Immersive Literature
“The BFG” provides students with a captivating and immersive story world that sparks their imagination. This makes it an excellent topic for ESL learning as students are drawn into the narrative, making language acquisition more enjoyable and memorable.
Vocabulary Expansion
The story’s rich vocabulary, such as terms like “giant,” “dream-catching,” and unique words like “whizzpopper” and “snozzcumber,” allows ESL learners to broaden their vocabulary range in a fun context. Students can actively engage with these words through activities and discussions, deepening their understanding of the English language.
Cultural Understanding
“The BFG” showcases British author Roald Dahl’s writing style while highlighting different cultural aspects. Exploring this book provides opportunities for ESL learners to learn about British culture, customs, humor, and storytelling traditions.
Language Skills Integration
This lesson plan incorporates various language skills such as reading comprehension, listening exercises using audio clips from the audiobook version of “The BFG,” speaking activities through role-playing dialogues, creative writing prompts based on the story’s themes, and vocabulary building exercises. This integration helps develop well-rounded language proficiency in ESL learners.
By utilizing “The BFG” as a focal point for ESL learning, educators provide students with an engaging literary experience that fosters both linguistic growth and cultural awareness.
