Roald Dahl homeschooling adventures: books, films, theatre, and more
Roald Dahl's world comes alive in our homeschool
I can still vividly recall the line from Roald Dahl's adaptation of Little Red Riding Hood: when cornered by the Wolf, Miss Riding Hood smiles, and one eyelid flickers. "She whips a pistol from her knickers." This clever rhyme and shocking rewrite were captivating to a strait-laced young student like me. Dahl's books were always crowd favourites at school. Then, as different Dahl novels were turned into films, the stories became even more beloved. I always dreamt of finding a golden ticket within a chocolate bar—what would that be like?
As a parent, I thoroughly enjoy revisiting those childhood stories with my own children. I think it's the nostalgia flamed by the iconic illustrations of Quentin Blake that immediately transports me back in time to my childhood days of reading and watching Dahl's stories.
This September, I was reminded of Roald Dahl Story Day, which falls on the 13th. Over the years in our family, we have done lots of units and activities centered on Dahl's books and movies. In the spirit of celebration, I thought I would share with you some of the ways we learn inside the Dahliverse.
Photo of a spread of Roald Dahl children’s novels
8 ways we explored the Dahliverse in our homeschool lessons
1. Roald Dahl's books as learning tools
We often start with Roald Dahl's books themselves. They're not just entertaining; they're also rich in vocabulary and imagination. We've used Dahl's stories as the foundation for language arts, reading comprehension, and character analysis lessons. It's amazing how much our kids have learned while immersed in the magical worlds Dahl created.
2. Movie adaptations for a cinematic twist
To add a different dimension to our learning, we occasionally read a Dahl book and then watched the movie adaptation. This activity not only makes reading more enjoyable but also sparks discussions about storytelling and character development. After the movie, our children often write book or film reviews or even opinion pieces comparing and contrasting the two mediums. These exercises cultivate critical thinking and communication skills.
This year is the 60th anniversary of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory novel. Last year was the release of the Wonka movie. Maybe pair these up for a fun-themed novel study with a family read aloud, ending with a popcorn movie night.
3. Roald Dahl's official website
The Roald Dahl official website was also a fantastic online resource for us. It offers a wealth of educational materials, including lesson plans for various Dahl books.
Here's a tip: these lessons extend beyond just English. They cover a wide range of subjects, from STEM and math to health, art, and even geography. So, you can explore multiple facets of education while delving into the Dahliverse.
4. Roald Dahl's Creative Writing series workbooks
We discovered the "Roald Dahl's Creative Writing" series, including titles like "Creative Writing with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." These short workbooks feature colourful layouts and structured lessons on character development, plot creation, and storytelling techniques. They're excellent for budding writers in our homeschool and can be purchased from major online booksellers.
5. Interactive apps for bonus fun
An utterly disgusting game inspired by The Twits. Swipe the foulsome food away from Mrs Twit before she whacks Mr Twit.
Another fun activity was the app "Roald Dahl's Twit or Miss." This entertaining game provided a different way for our kids to engage with Dahl's world while having a good time. Kids naturally enjoy a bit of technology, and this app became a cool addition to our Dahl-themed homeschool units. Watch the app trailer here.
6. Puffin's Roald Dahl free education resources
An excellent resource we've tapped into is the Puffin website, which dedicates a page to Roald Dahl free education resources. You can also download the latest Roald Dahl Story Day Activity Pack for 2023.
7. Quentin Blake's Illustration Illumination
In our exploration of Roald Dahl's world, we couldn't forget the brilliant illustrator, Quentin Blake. We watched the "Illustration Illumination with Quentin Blake" video resource to learn about Dahl's illustrator. We even followed along with Blake to create our own Willy Wonka illustration, for more art fun.
8. Theatre shows with Shake and Stir Theatre Co.
We also love to watch live theatre adaptations of Dahl’s stories. We love an Australian theatre company, Shake and Stir Theatre Co. Their live performances bring Dahl's whimsical tales to life in captivating ways. Shake and Stir currently have a touring production of James and the Giant Peach with last season shows in September on the Gold Coast.
There you have it…
Roald Dahl's stories have brought joy and education into our homeschooling routine. Whether through books, movies, creative writing workbooks, apps, theatre visits, online resources, or artistic endeavours, there are countless ways to make learning a delightful Dahl-inspired experience. We hope these ideas inspire you on your whimsical journey with Dahl in your homeschooling adventure.
“‘A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.’ ”
