The BFG Parent Guide

Irving Independent School District

2016 © AEP

by Roald Dahl

The Joy of Reading a GREAT Novel

Dear Parents/Guardians: The Irving Independent School District is proud to present this accompanying parent guide to use with your child as he or she reads The BFG, by Roald Dahl.

We are pleased to present some fun activities that highlight the terrific themes that will help your child to learn and grow in amazing ways. With fun, but relevant themes that will strengthen character education with a dose of magic and delight, we hope that you enjoy partnering with your child as they read and carry out these activities. As always, if you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher with anything that you might need.

Pre-Reading Quick Question Check:What does your child already believe?

1. Are giants real? If you met a giant, what would you do?

2. Do you have friends who look different than you?

3. Do you wish you looked different? What would you change? Why?

4. Is there someone you admire who helps others? Who is it? What do they do?

5. If giants ARE real, how big do you think a giant might be?Think of things or objects to compare the size of a giant.

Helping Others and Learning from The BFG

Have you ever seen someone getting teased or bullied because of how they look or because of something that they do? Sometimes, it is hard to stick up for others, but you can start by thinking of a way to help out someone else if they are in trouble.

Ways that I can help someone who is being treated poorly:1.

2.

3.

Reasons why kids are mean to other kids:1.

2.

3.

Save a Friend with a Word Activity

Using mean words or fighting bullies is not the way to solve a problem, but sometimes confusing them or making others laugh works wonders! Create a new word that you can use to make others smile by looking at the examples and using the space below.

STEP 1: Think of a funny or nice word

Example: “Wonder”

STEP 2: Add one of these endings to your word (called a suffix)

--wocky--rorky--dopple--crizzle--spuzzle

STEP 3: Give your word a meaning.

Example: “Wonderspuzzle = mean

STEP 4: Try it out!

Example: Johnny, you are not being really “wonderspuzzle” to Marcus!

Now, it’s your turn:

__________ + _____________ = _____________

means ___________________.

Characters Count! Activity

Remember Sophie, Matilda, Danny, The BFG, James, Charlie, Danny, and Mr. Hoppy? Which character is your favorite and what makes them so special? Characters are used by authors to send us a message or teach us a lesson, as well. Can you guess what that is too?

Draw your favorite BFG character here: What do you like about this character?

What do you think this character is supposed to teach you?

Chapter Emotion Cards

Taking pit-stops throughout a book is essential for building comprehension and helping students to relate to themes, ideas, or characters. For each “pit-stop” chapter card, have your child write down some emotions and questions that they might have about the book. These can be discussed with you and even referred to your child’s teacher for further analysis and understanding.

The Witching Hour

After reading this chapter, I feel . . .

My question is:

The Cave

After reading this chapter, I feel . . .

My question is:

The BFG

After reading this chapter, I feel . . .

My question is:

Journey to Dream Country

After reading this chapter, I feel . . .

My question is:

The Bloodbottler

After reading this chapter, I feel . . .

My question is:

The Marvelous Ears

After reading this chapter, I feel . . .

My question is:

The Great Plan

After reading this chapter, I feel . . .

My question is:

Mixing the Dream

After reading this chapter, I feel . . .

My question is:

Journey to London

After reading this chapter, I feel . . .

My question is:

The Queen

After reading this chapter, I feel . . .

My question is:

Capture!

After reading this chapter, I feel . . .

My question is:

My final thoughts about The BFG are:

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Shake-it-up and Make-it-Up Dream Word Game

Have you ever made a wish? Have you ever dreamed about something? The BFG loves dreams. Sometimes, our dreams and wishes are all about us. Sometimes, we wish or dream for others. Take an empty container, jar, or even a bag that you might have at your house. Cut up all of the words on the next page and create a wish or dream for you and for someone else using the words in a short phrase or sentence. If you can’t find a word that you would like to use, you can write your own words too! But, don’t forget to shake them in your container so they are all mixed up. Once you have a few ideas that describe your wish or dream, place them back into the jar and shake up your wish that just might come true someday!

I school ears the night play dream and of spend

school bullies glasses nose happy angry home a want

so then help went put he she trip good

happiness mean there to homework love like if

fight after on the an job human collected big

sunny over inside happy peaceful nice who looked

dreamer was were looked protect held vacation

money books underneath time clothes car to pet

hands warm gave eyes dance toys sports take

a their sister the and who’s liked travel a don’t

blue red green bag work weren’t sparkle up

magic is believed grades healthy ran trusted weather

parade played grown scared of then eating it

was wished how if old sunlight helped store

hand helped show enter frown food poor hoped

wonder question sparkly shining laughing was wish

forgotten wherever they grandparent play his was

the and interesting defend mom ran funny dad

What Can I Find Out about Roald Dahl?

Surf the Internet or look for information from the book about Roald Dahl. Write down some quick facts and even consider reading some of his other books!

Cool Fact #1:

Cool Fact #2:

Cool Fact #3: