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KS1 / KS2 English: Wolven by Di Toft

Video summary

Presenter and actor Ceallach Spellman reads extracts from 'Wolven' by Di Toft and illustrated by Martin Simpson.

He explains why he loves the book, how it captured his imagination, and why he loves to read.

Ceallach is lost in the woods and something is after him.

Will he escape, or will the werewolves track him down?

This clip is from the series Bringing Books to Life 2.

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Wolven Teacher Notes

KS1 and KS2 English Discussion Questions

Before watching the video:

  • What are werewolves? What do you know about them?
  • Are werewolves usually portrayed as friendly or scary creatures in stories? Why do you think that is?
  • If you were lost in the woods, what would you do to find your way back home?

While watching the video:

  • Pause at 01:21 - What’s different about Nat’s dog, Woody, from what you might expect?
  • Pause at 02:16 - Why did Nat's dog, Woody, run away? Who is trying to catch him?
  • Pause at 05:21 - Can you explain why Cel thinks books are good for starting conversations?

After watching the video:

  • How did the werewolves in 'Wolven' compare to the werewolves you imagined before watching the video?
  • What do you think happens next in the story after the part Cell read to us?
  • Did Cell's reading make you more curious to read Wolven? Why or why not?

KS1 and KS2 English Activity Suggestions

  1. Wolf Wonders: Research wolves to create a fact-based report on their appearance, habitat, diet and behaviour. Use this as a factual foundation to write a similar, fictional report about a werewolf, blending reality with imagination.
  2. Werewolf Transformation Story: Write a short story from the perspective of someone transforming into a werewolf for the first time. Describe the emotions, sensations and changes they experience.
  3. Lunar Legends: Discover the moon's changing shapes, known as moon phases, and why they were important to people in the past. Focus on the full moon and its key role in werewolf stories. As an extra fun task, children could keep a moon phase diary for a month to track the moon's journey in the night sky.

Take a look at our 500 Words resources for further inspiration around story writing.

These videos contribute to the current national curriculum requirements in:

  • England - KS1/KS2 English: Develop positive attitudes to reading and understanding of what they read.
  • Northern, Ireland - KS1/KS2 Language and Literacy: Extend the range of their reading and develop their own preferences.
  • Scotland - 1st and 2nd Level Literacy and English: Reading - Enjoyment and choice.
  • Wales - Progression Step 2/3 Languages, Literacy and Communication: Literature fires imagination and inspires creativity.

These discussion questions and activity suggestions provide opportunities to develop english and science knowledge and skills in meaningful contexts across all UK curricula.

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