How do you think the parrot in "The Ghost" chapter of Matilda feels in the chimney? Put a class member in the hot seat and have the class ask questions relating to how they might have felt if they were the parrot in the chimney. Then, have individuals write a small essay from the parrot's point of view.

Concepts

roald dahl, point of view, empathy, sensory details

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Additional Tags

english language arts

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Instructional Ideas

• Complete the blindfold activity in the cafeteria, gymnasium, or on the school playground, tailoring it to meet the needs of the class
• Come up with additional questions to ask the person in the hot seat before beginning the activity
• Change out the person in the hot seat every so often

Classroom Considerations

• Learners should know how to write from the point of view of another person—in this case a parrot
• Requires a class set of thesauri, assuming pupils have experience in finding words in reference books
• See the other chapter activities related to the series

Pros

• Helps develop descriptive sensory skills and establish empathy in writing
• Comes with additional extension activities

Cons

• Writing activity does not come with a rubric

Common Core

W.3.3.a W.3.3.b W.4.3.a W.4.3.b W.5.3.a W.5.3.b W.6.3.a W.6.3.b W.7.3.a W.7.3.b