How to Train Your Dragon Preview:

About Cressida Cowell

(written by the author)
this information can be found on Cressida Cowell’s website as well

A recent photo of Cressida at left and above right is Cressida, aged 9, writing on the island

I grew up in London and on a small, uninhabited island off the west coast of Scotland. The island had no
roads, houses or electricity.

The name of the island is a secret, but it was such a small island it wasn’t really big enough to have a
name at all. There were no roads or shops, just a storm-blown, windy wilderness of sea-birds and heather.

When I was four, my family would be dropped off like castaways on the island by a

Reading Comprehension Short Answer & Essay Questions: (8 points = 1 point each blank)

Assigned on:_______________________________ Due Date_________________________

1. Long ago on what Isle, did a smallish Viking with a longish name, live? ________________________

Essay Question (2 points)

5-6. What is the main idea of this chapter?_________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

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Unit 2 - Chapters 2, 3 & 4

Assigned on:____________________________________ Due Date:_________________________
Vocabulary/Spelling (40 points): Look up and define each word (you may copy the definition) AND
then write one ORIGINAL (your own!) sentence that has the word in it. Study the words for the week’s
spelling test. (2 points each definition, sentence IF correct usage and sensible!)

bedraggled
Definition:____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

Sentence:____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

Essay (3 points)
11-13. Compare Snotlout with Hiccup. Tell two ways they are alike, and 2 ways they differ. First, fill in
the Venn Diagram below, then use the information to form sentences.

Final Novel Unit Activities 100 points (50 POINTS each--CHOOSE 2)

You may do additional activities for bonus points, with a limit of 200 total points/4
projects. These activities should be HIGH QUALITY and showcase your best work to
reflect weeks of effort.

1. Design 2 Posters: Poster 1: Find out the first part of the D.I.T/Dragon Initiation Test, and design an
aged paper poster (min. size 18”x24”) explaining it. For the 2 nd, advertise some type of Viking gear made
in the village. Think blacksmithing products, clothing, ship-making.

2. Create your own Dragon. Draw detailed, full color picture (18” x 24”), make a 3D model from clay,
paper/wheat paste, or wood (NO LEGOS) that is at least 8” tall. Include a “museum tag” giving the
dimensions of the animal, weight, color, and attributes. If you really feel up to it, add a Dragon basket!

3. Build a Viking ship. Be sure the sails and

14: Make a 3-D model of Burk. Construct a model of Burk using wood, small model trees, paint, etc. Try
to make it look realistic. Be sure to secure all items so it can be displayed flat or tipped up. Minimun
board size to be 18”x 24” and no larger than 25”x25”. (Partner option)

For help or ideas when drawing a dragon, try this website:

Common Core Standards Covered

in “How to Train Your Dragon” novel Unit
Reading Standards for Informational Text Gr.5
Key Ideas and details
1. Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing
inferences from the text.
2. Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key
details; summarize the text.
3. Explain the relationships or interactions between

Writing Standards
Text types and Purposes
2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information
clearly.
a. Introduce a topic clearly, provide a general observation and focus, and group related
information logically; include formatting (e.g., headings), illustrations, and