What’s Happening This Week
There is much more to explore in our calendar. Find other important events in literary history, authors' birthdays, and a variety of holidays, each with related lessons and resources.
Looking for age-appropriate book recommendations, author interviews, and fun activity ideas? Check out our podcasts.
Roald Dahl was born on this day in 1916.
|Grades||3 – 6|
|Calendar Activity Type||Author & Text|
Roald Dahl was born in Wales on September 13th, 1916. His first book for children, The Gremlins, was written in 1943. Following this, Dahl went on to write several of the most popular children's stories of the 20th century, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, and James and the Giant Peach. Several of Dahl's stories, including these, have been made into motion pictures. He died in 1990.
Have students adapt a Roald Dahl story to picture book format. Read a Roald Dahl story that has been adapted to film (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda) Then show students the film. Have students use the Interactive Venn Diagram to compare and contrast the two versions, focusing on the images in the movie:
- How were the two experiences different? Similar?
- How did the images in the movie affect the story? Your enjoyment of the story?
- What are the benefits of reading a story? Of watching a film?
- How is the story in the movie different? Why do you think this is so?
Then have students create original picture book versions of the story. Afterwards, have students share their books and then add them to the classroom library.
- The Official Roald Dahl Website
Roald Dahl's official site features a biography, photo gallery, author interview, online activities, and more.
- 2010 Roald Dahl Month Celebration Calendar
This site offers activites, suggestions, and ideas for celebrating Roald Dahl Month all September long!
- Roald Dahl Day
This site offers news, contests, quizzes, activity ideas, and more to help readers around the world celebrate Roald Dahl Day on his birthday.
- Roald Dahl
The BBC Wales provides this audio interview with Roald Dahl’s relatives and related biographical information.
Activities & Projects
Grades 6 – 8 | Activity & Project
Before seeing a film based on a book, classic or contemporary, children can learn about filmmaking and create their own scenes based on their favorite moments from the book.
Grades 2 – 4 | Activity & Project
Get children excited about writing and descriptive language by creating yummy descriptions of their favorite candy.
Grades K – 5 | Podcast Episode
Emily chats about books that will have you craving sweets! She also shares her interview with author Michael O. Tunnell.