"How to Train Your Dragon" Extension Activities

I love the series “How to Train Your Dragon” by Cressida Cowell. This series is wonderful for upper elementary school students. The story is about a boy who was raised to fight dragons but ends up befriending an injured dragon. “How to Train Your Dragon” has wonderful imagery and vocabulary for students. It’s also easy to work on speech sounds while reading aloud.

There are many lessons that can be built off of this book. Below are some ideas:

1. Practice speech sounds during reading aloud - Model these sounds for your child, and then have the child say the words back
   

2. Make a dragon craft - Focus on following 1-2 step directions, describing the dragon, and prepositions while crafting
   

3. Learn about Vikings - The novel's main character, Hiccup, is a Viking. Learn about Viking culture and Norse mythology. Find similarities and differences between Hiccup and the real Vikings. This is also a great opportunity to build vocabulary, make inferences, and answer comprehension questions.
   

4. Practice sequencing and story retell - Use a graphic organizer and/or picture cards to help your child sequence and retell the story’s events.
   

5. Themes - Discuss themes in the book, such as acceptance, and look for supporting evidence from the text.
   

Readers: Have you tried any storybook extension activities at home?

About the Author: Melissa Goff, M.S, CCC-SLP, is the owner of Sunflower Speech & Myo Therapy, PLLC, in Charlotte, NC.