After being dropped off with his boring old Grandpa, one boy’s dismay is transformed into a thrilling adventure through the power of shared imagination, a Radio Flyer and a storytelling Grandpa. When Dad returns, will the fun be over?
Teaching ideas:
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Plot how Tony is feeling at key points in the film.
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Rewrite the narrative as a first-person recount from Tony’s point of view.
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Create Tony’s internal monologue, taking place in the car on the way to Grandpa’s house, while Dad is talking to Grandpa, and then as the mood changes.
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Describe one of the adventures in detail. Start with the line: “I was travelling in the Radio Flyer when...”
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Retell the narrative in the third person, changing the adventures, renaming the characters, and even altering the method of transport.
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In the film, we do not see the alien; in your narrative, Tony could meet one. Describe the alien and create dialogue between the alien, Tony, and Grandpa.
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Retell the story from Dad’s point of view. How does he feel when he sees the two of them so dirty? What goes through his mind to change his mood?
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Continue the narrative and add in your own adventure.
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Imagine Dad’s old diary is found in the garage – write about one of his adventures with his own father when he was young, in journal style.
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Use DADWAVERS to write a scene from the film.
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Adventure Story Comprehensions for ages 7-9
#Adventure
#Narrative
#Adventure narrative