Moon Dragons
Why the book was selected
The Moon Dragons has a straightforward narrative following whether Alina will tell the greedy king about the whereabouts of the moon dragons. However, the themes of truth and value make it a book with potential for rich and deep discussion. The illustrations portray characters in detail which make it accessible for all readers to develop their inference making skills.
Links to National Curriculum in England
This sequence focuses on reading comprehension, and does not explicitly teach phonics, although children may well be using phonological knowledge, decoding skills and recognising common exception words during the reading sessions. Children will be encouraged to read with fluency, especially as the text becomes familiar through rereading. At KS1, Take One Book will complement the approach you use for teaching phonics, ensuring your pupils are developing greater depth and understanding of the books they are reading
Pupils will be taught to:
- develop pleasure in reading, motivation to read, vocabulary and understanding
- listen to, discuss and express views about a wide range of contemporary and classic poetry, stories and non-fiction at a level beyond that at which they can read independently
- discuss the sequence of events in books and how items of information are related
- become increasingly familiar with and retelling a wider range of stories, fairy stories and traditional tales
- be introduced to non-fiction books that are structured in different ways
- recognise simple recurring literary language in stories and poetry
- discuss and clarify the meanings of words, linking new meanings to known vocabulary
- discuss their favourite words and phrases
- read with appropriate intonation and fluency to make the meaning clear
- understand both the books that they can already read accurately and fluently and those that they listen to
- draw on what they already know or on background information and vocabulary provided by the teacher
- check that the text makes sense to them as they read, with the teacher correcting inaccurate reading
- make inferences on the basis of what is being said and done
- answer and ask questions
- predict what might happen on the basis of what has been read so far
- participate in discussion about books, poems and other works that are read to them and those that they can read for themselves
- take turns and listen to what others say
- explain and discuss their understanding
Curriculum connections
- Art
- techniques
- PSHE
- values
About the author
Dyan Sheldon was born in Brooklyn, America. When she was six her family moved to Long Island to give their children more opportunities for outdoor fun and adventures. Unfortunately Dyan struggled to learn to swim and preferred going to the beach when it was empty. After leaving home Dyan moved around America a lot before ending up in London. She compares being a writer to being a spy because you’re always watching and listening and taking notes. As well as picturebooks she also writes for teenagers.
About the illustrator
Gary Blythe is an illustrator and artist. The Moon Dragons is his third collaboration with Dyan Sheldon. The Whales’ Song won the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal in 1990.
A note about lessons
Our lessons are organised as meaningful chunks of learning. Most of them will fit a standard 45 minute to 60 minute session. However, some of them are shorter and others will run for a series of linked sessions. It is anticipated that you will not teach all the lessons. Select those that suit the needs of your class and add them to your personalised plans.
Text potential
Theme
- Honesty and deception
Lessons for this book
Before Reading
Orientation
Truth and Lies
Exploring the theme of honesty and deception.
Rare Dragon Spotted
Exploring key vocabulary from the story.
Dragon Qualities
Making predictions based on the naming of characters and their associated qualities.
During Reading
First Encounters
Let’s Think About it
Using Book Talk to reveal personal responses to the story.
Required reading: Whole book
Digging Deeper
In the manner of…
Exploring the character of the king focusing on the speech verbs used by the author.
Pages 1-10
Role on the Wall: The King
Using role on the wall to develop an understanding of the king’s character and motivation.
Pages 1-14
Overheard Conversations
Using illustrations to infer what characters might be saying at different points.
Required reading: 13, 14, 21, 22
Exploring Mood: Sighting the Dragons
Using sound to explore mood and atmosphere.
Required reading: Whole book
Visual Language: Colour
Exploring the use of colour in the illustrations.
Required reading: 9-10, 19, 20
After Reading
Review and Reflect
Did You Find the Dragons?
Using Conscience Alley, to explore Alina’s decision to tell a lie.
Pages 21-22
Exploring Themes: Truth
Using hotseating to explore a central theme of the story.
Required reading: Whole book
‘A flight of dragons was worth far more than a room full of gold.’
Exploring the theme worth and value.
What’s the Big Idea?
Exploring the themes of The Moon Dragons using statements to initiate discussion.
Required reading: Whole book
Writing Opportunities
Writing in Role: diary or letter writing
Writing a diary or letter in role as Alina.
Required reading: Whole book
A Letter to the King
Writing a letter to persuade the king not to capture the moon dragons.
Required reading: Whole book
Wider Learning Opportunities
Making a Moon Dragon
Using a range of materials to create a moon dragon.
Resources
Tell Me a Dragon
From a dragon as big as a village to a tiny dragon with whisper-thin wings, from a snaggle-toothed dragon to a sea-dragon which races dolphins on the waves, this enchanting book is FULL of dragons! Find out just exactly why their owners find them so entrancing in this must-have book for any young dragon fans!
The Whales’s Song
Lily’s grandmother tells her all about the mysterious whales out in the bay, and Lily longs to hear their magical song. Gary Blythe’s richly evocative artwork creates an incredibly atmospheric world for a timeless tale of wildlife and wonder. This stunning, award-winning picture book has been refreshed and redesigned in a new edition, making it perfect for a new generation to share and fall in love with.
The Giving Tree
Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk … and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave.
This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another’s capacity to love in return.
How to Catch a Star
An inspirational story of a boy who loved the stars so much, he decided to catch one of his very own. The beautifully illustrated, original debut picture book from shining talent Oliver Jeffers. There once was a boy who loved stars so much that he wished he had one of his very own.
Every night he watched the stars in the sky from his bedroom window and dreamed of how he could be their friend and how they could play hide-and-go-seek together. So, one day, he decided to set about catching a star of his very own…
Quest
Aaron Becker, creator of the stunning Journey, presents the next chapter in his luminous wordless fantasy. A follow-up to Aaron Becker’s Caldecott Honor picture book debut, Journey, this is another visually stunning, wordless adventure story featuring two friends and their magical markers. In the city park, the pair are startled by the sudden appearance of a king, who thrusts into their hands a map and some strange objects.
But before he can explain, the king is captured by enemy forces and whisked back into his enchanted world. Just like that, the girl and boy are caught up in a wild dash to rescue the mysterious monarch. They embark on a quest to unlock the puzzle of the map and, they hope, save the king and his people from darkness…
Taking readers further into the realms of the imagination and beyond, Journey lovers and new fans alike will be thrilled to be swept into this captivating, luminous story.
Tell Me A Dragon
A beautiful and poetic collection of dragons. Which one will be your favourite?
The Great Dragon Rescue
George, the hero from M. P. Robertson’s The Egg, has returned in this brand new dragon adventure.
George is bored. When it comes to fighting, chickens aren’t nearly as much fun as dragons. But when George’s dragon returns, he whisks him off to a fairytale land on a rescue mission.
A wicked witch has captured a baby dragon and George realises that he must outwit the witch in order to free the dragon and prevent himself from being turned into a toad for the witch’s barbecue.