Martina Gersbach, Christina Gugger

First readers: Matilda (Penguin Readers)

Level 3: Pre-Intermediate (1200 headwords)

Time frame: 9 lessons

Lesson 1 (chapter 1)

  1. Pre-reading & Introduction: Looking at picture of Matilda on p. 3 and
    T introduces Matilda to the class. Ss discuss in pairs the questions 3a,b,c on p. 39.
  2. While-reading: Ss read first chapter, after reading the chapter T could show Great Expectations to Ss.
  3. Post-reading: T projects sentences(ex. 4) which are right or wrong and Ss discuss them in pairs. Then Ss look at picture on p. 1 and describe the people on it to their partner. Ss have to write individually 5 sentences about chapter 1.
  4. Homework: Ss translate wordlist in the back of the book and read chapter 2.

Lesson 2 (chapter 2)

  1. Post-reading: Ss have to read sentences in ex. 8 p. 40. Ss have to answer them, after they have seen the film excerpt.
  2. Post-reading: Ss write and practise a dialogue between a customer and Mr. Woodhouse. Then 3 groups act out their dialogue in front of the class.
  3. Homework: Ss have to write a short summary about the text.

Lesson 3 (chapter 3)

  1. Pre-reading: Ss predict what is going to happen by reading the title of chapter 3 (pair work). Whole class feedback on ideas.
  2. While-reading: Ss read chapter 3 and see whether they were right.
  3. Post-reading: Ss write a short text on: Which plan worked best – the glue or the ghost? Why? Ss read their text to each other: pairwork.
  4. Homework: Ss write 5 sentences about this chapter.

Lesson 4 (chapter 4 + 5)

  1. Pre-reading: Ss look at pictures of Miss Honey and Miss Trunchbull. Ss describe them and think about whether they are nice or bad (Predicting).
  2. While-reading: Ss read chapter 4 + 5 in groups of four.
  3. Post-reading: Ss are given statements ex. 15 from different people from chapter 4 + 5. Ss have to find out in groups who said what. Whole class feedback.
  4. Ss write a short summary in class about chapter 4 + 5.

Lesson 5 (chapter 6)

  1. Pre-reading: Ss are shown film excerpt when Miss Trunchbull accuses Bruce Bogtrotter of having stolen some of her special chocolate cake. Ss have to guess with partner what happens next.
  2. While-reading: Ss read chapter 6 in pairs.
  3. Post-reading: T gives three words and Ss in pairs have to say what they are and what happens in the story (a chocolate cake, a glass of water and a newt). Whole class feedback.
  4. Ss have to write short summary using the above 3 things.
  5. Homework: Ss have to read chapter 7.

Lesson 6 (chapter 7)

  1. Post-reading: Ss write down 3 sentences about chapter 7 and write 3 questions about last chapter. Ss work in pairs and read sentences to each other and ask questions.
  2. Post-reading: Ss work in pairs and are given a list of events and have to order them. Ss have to compare their results with another group.
  3. Post-reading: Ss have to correct mistakes in ex. 21. Pair feedback.
  4. Ss write in pairs a short summary and read it to class. Summaries are discussed in class.

Lesson 7 (chapter 8)

  1. Pre-reading: Whole class experiment. One S writes five words in English on OHT. Other Ss try to think about which words S uses. Whole class comparison. Who could read the mind of the others?
  2. While-reading: Ss read chapter 8 and find 10 facts about Miss Honey. Whole class feedback.
  3. Post-reading: Ss have to write a small text and answer the following questions: Did Miss Honey’s father really kill himself? What do you think happened?
  4. Homework: Ss have to write a small summary about chapter 8 by using the 10 facts about Miss Honey.

Lesson 8 (chapter 9)

  1. Pre-reading: Ss have to work in pairs and think about what Matilda is going to do next. What’s her plan? (Predicting). How would they (Ss) solve the problem?
  2. While-reading: Ss read chapter 9 and do ex. 27 where they have to underline the correct word.
  3. Post-reading: Whole class watches the end of the film and have to think about whether they like the story or not. Whole class discussion.

Lesson 9 Writing

Ss have to write a short text and they have to choose and answer one of the following 3 questions:

  1. Look at the picture of Miss Honey’s house on page 29. Write a description of it.
  2. Compare the two teachers Miss Honey and Miss Trunchbull.
  3. Write a conversation between Matilda and Lavender at school the next day.