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Norman is a slug who longs to be a snail – if only he could find a shell! Kids will laugh out loud at Norman’s crazy antics as he goes to hilarious lengths to find a shell of his own. But will he be satisfied once he finds one, or will his dreams get bigger and bigger and bigger?
Teaching Ideas and Resources:
English
- Norman thinks that the snails are ‘amazing’. Can you think of words that mean the same as this?
- Norman ‘skulked’ off when the snails shouted at him. Can you find other words that can be used to describe how a slug moves?
- Look at the use of punctuation within the story (e.g. exclamation marks, speech marks).
- Think of different words that can be used to describe slime.
- Norman frees himself with a ‘slither and a slother, a slip and a slide’. Can you make up your own sentences that use alliteration?
Maths
- Look at the patterns on the snails’ shells. Can you create a new pattern to decorate a shell with?
- The snails are forming a triangular pattern in one of the illustrations. Can you investigate triangular numbers?
- Look at the illustration of Norman looking at his reflection. Can you draw your own symmetrical picture like this?
- Find out about the Fibonacci sequence and how the pattern can be found in snail shells.
Science
- Norman’s shell has lots of shiny parts. Investigate different materials that are shiny and dull. What makes them shiny? What does reflection mean?
- Find out about slugs, snails and other minibeasts. Can you write a report about one of them?
- How are slugs and snails similar / different?
- Make a list of other objects / materials that would make a good shell for Norman. Think about the positive / negative aspects of having each one as a shell.
- Think about the forces that are taking place at different points in the story (e.g. when Norman knocks the snails’ tower over, when Norman falls out of the bird’s claws).
- Can you make your own slime? What materials might you have to use?
- Norman lands on a washing line. Why do people hang wet clothes on a washing line? What does evaporation mean?
Computing
- Use a paint program to design a new shell for Norman.
- Could you make a stop-motion animation that retells the story?
- Use animation software to make a dancing slug!
Design Technology
- Design a new flying machine to help Norman fly around the sky.
Art
- Design a new shell for Norman.
- Look at the different shades of each colour in the illustrations. Can you mix different Art materials to make new shades of the same colour?
Geography
- Plan a trip to the beach and find different types of shells. Can you find out what creatures they used to belong to?