The Boy Who Talked with Animals by Roald Dahl: A Short Story Unit Study

What if you could actually talk with your favourite pet? Or live in the wild with your favourite wild animals?

In this classic short story, Roald Dahl tells the compelling tale of a young boy who has a special ability to communicate with animals. In stark contrast to the greed of those around him, he sees an ancient sea turtle for the amazing, feeling creature that it is.

This unit study guides students to dive deep into the story and explore all sorts of topics related to human-animal communication, while relishing a unique piece of fiction. Assignments emphasise self-expression, reflection and good writing. They are suitable for students in grades 7 and up.

Please note: The Boy Who Talked with Animals is protected by copyright and must be procured separately. All other necessary resources are included in this unit study or available for free online (links provided).

Contents

*About this Unit Study & Before You Begin
Guide to all Assignments

Section Assignments
Section Questions to be completed in a notebook
Section Questions Worksheets

Written Exercises for the Full Story
Focus on an Excerpt
Reflection Questions

Creative Assignments
Make a Short Video
Write a Short Story – Properly

Exploring the Story’s Themes through Music and Art
Music: Flight of the Bumblebee (Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov)
Music: The Trout (Franz Schubert)
Art: Humans and Animals in Art (Three Paintings)

Exploring the Topic Further: An Ocean of Possibilities
Documentary: Understanding How Animals Think and Feel
Wildlife safety
Doctor Dolittle: Write a Compare and Contrast Essay