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/ The Life of
Dick King-Smith /

1922

Week 1

/ Character descriptions of Max
taken from The Hodgeheg
by Dick King-Smith

… The fourth youngster was therefore called Victor Maximilian St George. Almost from the moment his eyes had opened, while his prickles were soft and rubbery, Max had shown promise of being a bright boy; and by now his eyes, his ears and his wits were all as sharp as his spines.

… Max listened carefully. Then he said, “Do humans cross the road?” “You tell me son you tell me,” said Pa. “I will,” said Max. “I will.”

… A part of him, for he was very young, said that he would find out about that another time and that it would be nice to creep back under the gate to his family. But then another part of him determined to set off to see if he could find the human crossing place.

… Max could hardly wait for the next dawn. Something inside him said that today he would at last be successful in his quest, and outside him every one of his five thousand spines tingled with excitement.

Week 1

Creating Characters

We can find out about characters in many ways

· From what they look like…

Laura’s baby brother was four weeks old when it happened… Everyone made such a fuss over him, and all said how beautiful he was… How could anyone with a round red face and a squashy nose and tiny little eyes all sunken in fat be called beautiful?

· What they say …

“Oh yes please!” said Babe excitedly.

· From what they do …

I’ll look after you if you like. Then she licked his little snout with a warm rough tongue, her plumbed tail wagging. “There is that nice?” she said.

He moved very slowly, keeping close to the outer walls of the front gardens where there was still some shadow.

Week 1

Adding ‘ir’ and ‘im’

The prefix ‘ir’ or ‘im’ can be added to all of these words.

Which is added to each and what is the effect on the meaning of the word?

possible
relevant
mature
rational
perfect
mobile
personal / proper
mortal
regular
responsible
balance
redeemable
reparable

Week 1

/ Extract of Dialogue
taken from The Sheep Pig
by Dick King-Smith

“Hullo,” she said. “Who are you?”

“I’m a large White,” said the piglet.

“Blimey!” said one of the puppies. “If that’s a large white, what’s a small one like?” And they all sniggered.

“Be quiet!” snapped Fly. “Just remember that five minutes ago you didn’t even know what a pig was.” And to the piglet she said kindly, “I expect that’s your breed, dear. I meant what’s your name?”

“I don’t know,” said the piglet.

“Well, what did your mother call you, to tell you apart from your brothers and sisters?” said Fly and she wished she hadn’t…

“She called us all the same… Babe,” said the piglet.

Week 2

/ Extract of Dialogue
taken from The Hodgeheg
by Dick King-Smith

Use this extract to create a play script for the same scene…

The family all crowded around him on his return, all talking at once. “Where have you been all this time?” asked Ma.

“Are you alright, son?” asked Pa.

“Do you cross the road?” they both said and Peony, Pansy and Petunia echoed, “Did you? Did you? Did you?”

For a while Max did not reply. His thoughts were muddled, and when he did speak, his words were muddled too. “I got a head on the bump,” he said slowly.

The family looked at one another. “Something bot me on the hittom,” said Max, “and then I headed my bang. My ache bads headly.”

“But did you cross the road?” cried his sisters.

“Yes,” said Max wearily. “I hound where the fumans cross over, but –-- “

“But the traffic only stops if you’re a human?” interrupted Pa.

“Yes,” said Max. “Not if you’re a hodgeheg.”

Week 2

Amazing Adverbs (Teachers’ Sheet)

“Poor old Auntie Betty,” said Ma again. “It’s a hard life and that’s flat.”

“It’s a hard death,” said Pa sourly. “And that’s flat too – talk about squashed, the old girl was …”

“What are you talking about, Ma?” he said.

“Nothing,” said Ma hastily.

“D’you suppose he’ll be all right?” said Ma anxiously.

“I feel quite wake awide. In fact, I feel like walking for a go.”

Pa took a moment to work this out. Then he said firmly, “You’re not going anywhere, son, d’you hear me? You stay home in the garden for a while. Get your strength back, understand?”

“Oh!” cried Ma. “Have you seen him?”

“Yes I have. At least I met a young chap in the Park who said he was lost and looking for his way back to 5A.”

“Did you notice anything … different about him?” asked Ma quickly.

Suddenly a dreadful racket burst upon their ears. “Sounds like something’s got run over,” said Pa heavily. “Brace yourself, old lady. It could be our Max.”

“Oh hello, Sir,” he said politely. “You’re the gentlehog I met in the Park. Thank you very much for your help.”

Week 2

Amazing Adverbs

“Poor old Auntie Betty,” said Ma again. “It’s a hard life and that’s flat.”

“It’s a hard death,” said Pa ______. “And that’s flat too – talk about squashed, the old girl was …”

“What are you talking about, Ma?” he said.

“Nothing,” said Ma ______.

“D’you suppose he’ll be all right?” said Ma ______.

“I feel quite wake awide. In fact, I feel like walking for a go.”

Pa took a moment to work this out. Then he said ______, “You’re not going anywhere, son, d’you hear me? You stay home in the garden for a while. Get your strength back, understand?”

“Oh!” cried Ma. “Have you seen him?”

“Yes I have. At least I met a young chap in the Park who said he was lost and looking for his way back to 5A.”

“Did you notice anything … different about him?” asked Ma ______.

Suddenly a dreadful racket burst upon their ears. “Sounds like something’s got run over,” said Pa ______. “Brace yourself, old lady. It could be our Max.”

“Oh hello, Sir,” he said ______. “You’re the gentlehog I met in the Park. Thank you very much for your help.”

Week 2

Story Board Planning Sheet

Book Review – Possible Layout

Book Title / Author
Why I like this author
Short summary (to help me remember the book!)
Things I liked
1.
2.
3.
4. / Things I didn’t like
1.
2.
3.
4.
Reasons why
Enjoyment Rating on a 1-10 scale
0 ______10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Week 3