Monty the Hero

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Monty the mole’s favourite bedtime story is about a hero, a monster and a magic wand. Monty wants to be a hero, too, so he sneaks out at night in search of adventure.

English:

• Monty Mole and Herbert Hedgehog both have alliteration in their names. Can you think of other characters with alliterative names (or make up some of your own)?
• At the start of the story, Monty is reading his favourite book, Alien Adventure. Could you write this story?
• Retell the story from Herbert’s point of view.
• Create your own story about a new character who wants to be a hero.
• At the end of the story, Monty tells his mum about his adventure. Can you write what he says (using the first person)?
• Watch this video in which the author reads one of his other books. Think of some questions you would like to ask him. Could you write a letter to him?

• Rewrite some of the direct speech as reported speech.
• Write an acrostic poem based on the words ‘MONTY THE HERO’.
• Could you write a new adventure story that includes Monty and Herbert?
• Record a ‘read along’ video to retell the story. Here is one example:

Science:

• Find out about moles (or hedgehogs) and write a report about them? Where do they live? What do they eat?
• When Monty and Herbert found a dandelion, why did the ‘magic’ fly away? What might happen to the fluffy seeds?

Computing:

• Design a game in which Monty the Hero has to catch the dandelion seeds as they float away.

Design Technology:

• Could you create a model of a mole?
• Could you design a new home for Monty?

Art:

• Create your own pictures or paintings of moles or hedgehogs.
• Make some pictures of the magical land in Monty’s adventure.
• Could you design a new book cover for this story?
• Create a comic strip that retells Monty’s version of his adventure.

Music:

• Create a theme tune for a song about Monty the Hero.

History:

• Think of people from the past who could be thought of as a hero. Why might this be?

PSHE:

• Monty is too excited to sleep. Can you explain why sleep is important and how it helps us to stay healthy?
• What does it mean to be a hero? Can you think of somebody who is a hero to you? Who inspires you?
• Have you ever done something heroic? What was it?
• At one point in the story, Herbert teases Monty. How did this make Monty feel? Can you tell by looking at the illustrations?
• Monty and Herbert find a ‘magic wand’ near the end of the story. If you had a magic wand, how would you use it?