Basil Dreams Big

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Basil the bat doesn’t believe he can fly. No matter how hard he tries, he just can’t do it. But when a thundering storm threatens the safety of his beloved friend, Moth, will Basil find his wings and believe in the bat he CAN be?

English:

Look at the front cover of the story. What do you think Basil is dreaming of?
Make a list of the rhyming words used in the story. Can you think of other words that rhyme with these?
Collect all of the verbs that describe how Basil moves.
Add speech / thought bubbles to show how Basil feels at different points in the story.
Write a description of the setting where Basil lives.
Write a description of a nighttime scene in your local area.
Retell the story from Basil’s point of view.
Write Moth’s diary entry for the day Basil saved her.
Can you find any examples of onomatopoeia in the story?
Write your own story about a character who has big dreams but doesn’t believe in themselves.
Write a new story about a bat. What adventures might it have?
Write an acrostic poem about dreams, goals or believing in yourself.

Maths:

Choose one of the illustrations and count the number of bats.
Research (or estimate) how far bats can fly without stopping.
Measure the wingspan of different bat species and compare the lengths.
Make a symmetrical picture based on bat wings.

Science:

Research the topic of bats. Use this information to write a report that teaches others about them (including their habitats, diet and adaptations).
Investigate how bats use echolocation.
Research nocturnal and diurnal animals and their adaptations.
Learn about the life cycle of bats.
Make a food chain / web that includes bats.
Make a list of similarities / differences between bats and other flying creatures.
Discuss conservation and why bats are a protected species.

Computing:

Design a game in which a bat has to fly around a location to collect different objects.
Make a multimedia presentation about bats.
Create an animation of a bat flying at night.
Record a ‘read aloud’ version of this story. Here is an example:

Design Technology:

Can you make a model of a bat using recycled materials?
Make a model of a bat with moving wings.
Investigate materials that could be used to make a ‘bat box’.
Make puppets of Basil and Moth, and use them to retell the story.

Art:

Create your own illustrations of a bat. Use photos of bats as reference images.
Make some silhouette pictures of bats flying against a night sky.
Create a comic strip that retells the main events of the story.

Music:

Compose a melody to accompany an animated version of this story.
Listen to music that evokes bravery and encourages you to believe in yourself.

Geography:

Find out where fruit bats live around the world. Use maps and other tools to plan a journey there.
Investigate how human activity affects bat populations.
Create a map showing the main locations in the story. Add labels to indicate the events that occurred in each one.

Physical Education:

Play some ‘echolocation’ games, where a blindfolded person has to move around an area using sound clues only.

PSHE:

Make a list of your own dreams and goals. What can you do today to work towards achieving them?
What is resilience? What does this story teach us about resilience? Have you ever had to be resilient to achieve something?
“A little belief in yourself quickly grows…” What does having ‘belief in yourself’ mean?
Make a class display to show your big dreams.