Exploring Fantastic Mr Fox

Lesson Overview

This 60-minute English lesson focuses on a narrative activity inspired by Roald Dahl's "Fantastic Mr Fox", aligned with the NSW Stage 2 English Syllabus (Year 3). Students will explore character development, setting, and the structure of narratives, fostering creativity and critical thinking. The session will culminate in creating their own mini-narrative based on the world of Mr Fox, showcasing their understanding of literary elements.

Syllabus Links

This lesson aligns with the following NSW Stage 2 English Syllabus outcomes:

• EN2-1A: Communicates in a range of informal and formal contexts by adopting a range of roles in group, classroom, school, and community contexts.
• EN2-2A: Plans, composes, and reviews a range of texts, focusing on improving clarity and accuracy.
• EN2-7B: Identifies and discusses how language forms and features in imaginative texts develop characterisation, setting, and plot.

---

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

1. Identify key narrative elements (character, setting, problem, resolution) in Fantastic Mr Fox.
2. Analyse the traits of a central character (e.g., Mr Fox).
3. Apply their understanding by crafting a short, imaginative story inspired by the world of Mr Fox.
4. Develop confidence in sharing and discussing their written work.

---

Materials Needed

• A copy of Fantastic Mr Fox (teacher’s copy or excerpts).
• Whiteboard and markers.
• A3 paper and coloured pencils for brainstorming.
• Writing paper or exercise books.
• Visuals of Mr Fox, his burrow, and key scenes (printed or hand-drawn illustrations).

---

Lesson Structure

1. Warm-Up Activity (10 minutes): The Master Planner

1. Begin by showing a picture of Mr Fox on the board. Prompt students with a quick brainstorm:
   • "What words would you use to describe him?" (e.g., clever, brave, sneaky).
   • Write students’ responses around the image on the board.
2. Follow by asking:
   • "Why do you think he’s so good at outwitting the farmers?"
     Discuss Mr Fox’s skills as a master planner while highlighting adjectives that relate to his character.

---

2. Narrative Deconstruction (15 minutes): Character, Setting, and Plot

3. Read or recount a short excerpt from the book (e.g., the scene where Mr Fox creates his escape tunnel).
4. Facilitate a group discussion, focusing on three main narrative elements:
   • Character: What makes Mr Fox a great protagonist?
   • Setting: What is the setting like? How does it influence the story?
   • Problem and Resolution: What is Mr Fox’s main problem? How does he solve it?
     Write students' answers clearly on the board in columns: Character, Setting, Problem and Resolution.
5. Challenge students with a thought-provoking question:
   • "What would YOU do if you were Mr Fox and had to save your family from the farmers?"

---

3. Creative Writing Activity (30 minutes): A Day in Mr Fox’s World

6. Transition: "Now, you’ll get the chance to step into Mr Fox’s world. Imagine you are another animal who lives in the underground burrow. Write a short story about your adventure working with Mr Fox!"
   Instructions:
   • Choose your animal character (e.g., a rabbit, a badger, a mole).
   • Setting: Where does your story take place? Think about what your part of the burrow looks like.
   • Problem and Resolution: What problem do you face, and how do you solve it with the help of Mr Fox?
     Encourage students to use descriptive language, strong verbs, and dialogue where possible.
7. While students write, circulate to provide feedback and support ideas. Encourage students to include a title for their mini-narrative.

---

4. Sharing & Reflection (5 minutes): Story Swap

8. Wrap up the session by selecting a few volunteers to share their mini-stories with the class.
9. Celebrate students' efforts and ask the class:
   • "Whose story inspired you the most?"
   • "Can you imagine what happens next in their story?"
10. As a reflective question, encourage students to think about:
    • "If you could choose a different problem for Mr Fox to solve, what would it be?"

---

Differentiation

• For advanced students: Challenge them to incorporate dialogue and think about how their animal character’s personality impacts the plot.
• For students needing extra support: Provide a story scaffold (e.g., setting, problem, resolution template) or visual prompts of possible animal characters.

---

Assessment

Formative assessment will be ongoing throughout the lesson:

• Contributions to discussions (analysing character, setting, and plot).
• Creativity and coherence in mini-narratives.
• Participation in peer-sharing to demonstrate engagement and comprehension.

---

Homework/Extension Activity

Ask students to illustrate their animal character and write a caption about how they contributed to helping Mr Fox. Display their work on a classroom bulletin titled “Adventures in Mr Fox’s Burrow”.

---

This lesson will ignite imagination, sharpen narrative skills, and deepen students’ appreciation for Roald Dahl’s timeless tale while closely adhering to the NSW Stage 2 English Syllabus outcomes.