Ready Steady Read Together
Darwin's Dragons: Fiction Lesson 1
What do you think you know?
What?
Who?
Why?
Where?
How?
When?
Book Talk: Let's explore this illustration.
Explore
What do you know and think?
Could the shell design force this behaviour, or could it be the other way around?
How might this extract link to the illustration?
Explore
From: Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Today's Question(s)
A) What impressions do you get of the character of Darwin from the text?
B) How can you tell Covington seeks approval of those he respects?
Explore
Let me read today's text
Explore
September 1835 Albermarle Island, Galapagos
Mr Darwin crouched in front of a giant tortoise, notebook in hand. His home-made magnifying eyeglass, which the sailors of the Beagle all made fun of, gave him the look of a studious buccaneer. “See how the shell is completely domed, Covington,” he said. “It means they can’t raise their necks at all.”
“Reckon they don’t need to, sir,” I said, watching the tortoises chewing. “There’s a lot of grass growing here, so they’re always looking down at the ground anyhow.”
Mr Darwin’s eyebrows shot up and he grinned. “An interesting observation. Could the shell design force this behaviour, or could it be the other way around?”
I didn't know the answer to that but felt my cheeks warm in the glow of his approval. When our voyage began four years ago, I was Ship’s Fiddler and Cabin Boy, but for the last two years I’d been assisting Mr Darwin, making use of my letters, like my da would have wanted. I like to think I’d picked up some of his way of thinking too.
From: Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
“I wonder if it would be difficult to ride on such a shell,” I said idly, then kicked myself. That wasn’t the kind of thing Mr Darwin wanted to hear from his assistant. “Well ready yourself then,” said Mr Darwin, and to my surprise he clambered onboard one of the giant tortoises, perching on top of its shell. “What are you waiting for?”
The ancient animal stretched out its long crusty neck and hissed at the unexpected weight, then took a ponderous step. Mr Darwin just managed to catch his balance. His laugh rang out, much clearer and louder than his voice, and he slapped his thigh.
This was more like it. The master might be awful clever and mostly serious but he was only a young man himself, and I loved those rare moments he was game for a lark. We’d been measuring tortoise shells all day and a break was more than welcome.
I eyed up the tortoises and chose a smaller one that seemed to be fast asleep, its head tucked into its wrinkled neck like an acorn in its cap. I scrambled onto its back. It wasn’t as easy as Mr Darwin made it look. My master was tall and sometimes stooped. He had a way of swinging his arms when he walked, but wasn’t nearly as clumsy as he looked. My knees slipped on the mottled shell, but I finally managed to settle behind in the centre. When the tortoise started to move, I felt as though I was back on the Beagle sailing around the stormy waters of the Cape Horn.
From: Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Vocabulary
Explore
Hover for definitions!
studious buccaneer
glow of approval
domed
clambered onboard
ponderous
mottled shell
Explore
From: Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
I will model the first.
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
studious buccaneer
Explore
Find Read Talk
Mr Darwin crouched in front of a giant tortoise, notebook in hand. His home-made magnifying eyeglass, which the sailors of the Beagle all made fun of, gave him the look of a studious buccaneer.
Reveal Vocabulary
From: Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Your turn
studious bucaneer
domed
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
glow of approval
clambered onboard
ponderous
mottled shell
Use your text
Explore
Vocabulary Check & Re-read
Explore
Reveal Vocabulary
Teacher Note: Re-read if time allows.
September 1835 Albermarle Island, Galapagos
Mr Darwin crouched in front of a giant tortoise, notebook in hand. His home-made magnifying eyeglass, which the sailors of the Beagle all made fun of, gave him the look of a studious buccaneer. “See how the shell is completely domed, Covington,” he said. “It means they can’t raise their necks at all.”
“Reckon they don’t need to, sir,” I said, watching the tortoises chewing. “There’s a lot of grass growing here, so they’re always looking down at the ground anyhow.”
Mr Darwin’s eyebrows shot up and he grinned. “An interesting observation. Could the shell design force this behaviour, or could it be the other way around?”
I didn't know the answer to that but felt my cheeks warm in the glow of his approval. When our voyage began four years ago, I was Ship’s Fiddler and Cabin Boy, but for the last two years I’d been assisting Mr Darwin, making use of my letters, like my da would have wanted. I like to think I’d picked up some of his way of thinking too.
From: Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Reveal Vocabulary
Teacher Note: Re-read if time allows.
“I wonder if it would be difficult to ride on such a shell,” I said idly, then kicked myself. That wasn’t the kind of thing Mr Darwin wanted to hear from his assistant. “Well ready yourself then,” said Mr Darwin, and to my surprise he clambered onboard one of the giant tortoises, perching on top of its shell. “What are you waiting for?”
The ancient animal stretched out its long crusty neck and hissed at the unexpected weight, then took a ponderous step. Mr Darwin just managed to catch his balance. His laugh rang out, much clearer and louder than his voice, and he slapped his thigh.
This was more like it. The master might be awful clever and mostly serious but he was only a young man himself, and I loved those rare moments he was game for a lark. We’d been measuring tortoise shells all day and a break was more than welcome.
I eyed up the tortoises and chose a smaller one that seemed to be fast asleep, its head tucked into its wrinkled neck like an acorn in its cap. I scrambled onto its back. It wasn’t as easy as Mr Darwin made it look. My master was tall and sometimes stooped. He had a way of swinging his arms when he walked, but wasn’t nearly as clumsy as he looked. My knees slipped on the mottled shell, but I finally managed to settle behind in the centre. When the tortoise started to move, I felt as though I was back on the Beagle sailing around the stormy waters of the Cape Horn.
From: Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Fluency
Explore
Let me use my reader's voice...
“I wonder if it would be difficult to ride on such a shell,” I said idly, then kicked myself. That wasn’t the kind of thing Mr Darwin wanted to hear from his assistant. “Well ready yourself then,” said Mr Darwin, and to my surprise he clambered onboard one of the giant tortoises, perching on top of its shell. “What are you waiting for?”
What did you notice?
Explore
From: Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
My Turn
Your Turn
Echo Read
“I wonder if it would be difficult to ride on such a shell,” I said idly, then kicked myself.
That wasn’t the kind of thing Mr Darwin wanted to hear from his assistant.
“Well ready yourself then,” said Mr Darwin, and to my surprise he clambered onboard one of the giant tortoises,
perching on top of its shell. “What are you waiting for?”
Explore
From: Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Sound like a reader!
Stand up!
Choral Read
“I wonder if it would be difficult to ride on such a shell,” I said idly, then kicked myself. That wasn’t the kind of thing Mr Darwin wanted to hear from his assistant. “Well ready yourself then,” said Mr Darwin, and to my surprise he clambered onboard one of the giant tortoises, perching on top of its shell. “What are you waiting for?”
Explore
From: Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Strategy Focus
Explore
Strategy: Read Between the Lines
A) What impressions do you get of the character of Darwin from the text?
Be a detective and look for clues!
Teach
Let me show you
Reveal Text Marks
Mr Darwin crouched in front of a giant tortoise, notebook in hand. His home-made magnifying eyeglass, which the sailors of the Beagle all made fun of, gave him the look of a studious buccaneer.
A) What impressions do you get of the character of Darwin from the text?
Reveal Explainer
Mr Darwin is crouched in front of a giant tortoise with a notebook and a home-made magnifying glass. This shows that he is fearless, focused and dedicated to his scientific work. Even though the sailors make fun of him and he looks like a ‘studious buccaneer’, he carries on anyway. This tells me that he is also not bothered by what others think.
Teach
From: Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Strategy Stop
What else could you use to answer today's question(s)?
Teach
Your Turn
A) What impressions do you get of the character of Darwin from the text?
B) How can you tell Covington seeks approval of those he respects?
Find the answers
Text mark
Explore
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence - see how the shell is completely domed… it means they can't raise their necks at all - the master might be awful clever and mostly serious
observant, intelligent and usually serious
Text Mark Evidence could the shell design force this behaviour, or could it be the other way around
curious, enjoys questioning ideas, leads by example
A) What impressions do you get of the character of Darwin from the text?
Text Mark Evidence Mr Darwin’s eyebrows shot up and he grinned
encourages and values others’ ideas
Text Mark Evidence - clambered onboard one of the giant tortoises - he was only a young man himself, and I loved those rare moments he was game for a lark
young, playful and adventurous / not always serious
Go to the next slide for more...
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Text Mark Evidence his laugh rang out, much clearer and louder than his voice, and he slapped his thigh
cheerful
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence we’d been measuring tortoise shells all day and a break was more than welcome
hardworking, devoted to work
A) What impressions do you get of the character of Darwin from the text?
Text Mark Evidence - it wasn’t as easy as Mr Darwin made it look - he…wasn’t nearly as clumsy as he looked
confident, capable and agile
Text Mark Evidence tall and sometimes stooped…having a way of swinging his arms…wasn’t nearly as clumsy as he looked
tall and awkward in appearance
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence felt my cheeks warm in the glow of his approval
blushes at a compliment from Darwin
Text Mark Evidence when our voyage began four years ago, I was Ship’s Fiddler and Cabin Boy, but for the last two years I’d been assisting Darwin
worked hard to advance to work with Darwin
B) How can you tell Covington seeks approval of those he respects?
Text Mark Evidence making use of my letters like my da would have wanted
wants to make his father proud
Text Mark Evidence I...kicked myself...that wasn’t the kind of thing Mr Darwin wanted to hear from his assistant
wants to impress Darwin or avoid embarrassing himself
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Text Mark Evidence I like to think I’d picked up some of his (Darwin’s) way of thinking too
hopes to learn from Darwin
Practise & Apply
Quiz Time
Start
Picture Me
Which image is the best match for ‘domed’?
Which One's Right?
Which word is closest in meaning to ‘ponderous’?
B) noisy
A) excited
D) angry
C) slow
True or False?
This part of the story takes place in Narborough Island, Galapagos.
True
False
Fill the Gaps
necks
bucaneer
domed
Mr Darwin crouched in front of a giant tortoise, notebook in hand. His home-made magnifying eyeglass, which the sailors of the Beagle all made fun of, gave him the look of a studious . “See how the shell is completely , Covington,” he said. “It means they can’t raise their at all.”
Click if correct
Discuss then check
Feedback: Who did what well?
FindRead Talk
EchoRead
ChoralRead
ReadingStrategy
Answers & Text Marks
Other...
To be a book lover, you could...
celebrate your reading.
Reveal
Make a list of the books you've read and celebrate milestones.
Copyright Notice
This document has been supplied under a CLA Licence with specific terms of use. It is protected by copyright and, save as may be permitted by law, it may not be further copied, stored, re-copied electronically or otherwise shared, even for internal purposes, without the prior further permission of the Rightsholder. Extracts sourced from: Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin © 2021 Schools must purchase the original text for full content.
bucaneer
domed
necks
RSRT Y6 L1 Darwin's Dragons
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Transcript
Ready Steady Read Together
Darwin's Dragons: Fiction Lesson 1
What do you think you know?
What?
Who?
Why?
Where?
How?
When?
Book Talk: Let's explore this illustration.
Explore
What do you know and think?
Could the shell design force this behaviour, or could it be the other way around?
How might this extract link to the illustration?
Explore
From: Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Today's Question(s)
A) What impressions do you get of the character of Darwin from the text?
B) How can you tell Covington seeks approval of those he respects?
Explore
Let me read today's text
Explore
September 1835 Albermarle Island, Galapagos
Mr Darwin crouched in front of a giant tortoise, notebook in hand. His home-made magnifying eyeglass, which the sailors of the Beagle all made fun of, gave him the look of a studious buccaneer. “See how the shell is completely domed, Covington,” he said. “It means they can’t raise their necks at all.” “Reckon they don’t need to, sir,” I said, watching the tortoises chewing. “There’s a lot of grass growing here, so they’re always looking down at the ground anyhow.” Mr Darwin’s eyebrows shot up and he grinned. “An interesting observation. Could the shell design force this behaviour, or could it be the other way around?” I didn't know the answer to that but felt my cheeks warm in the glow of his approval. When our voyage began four years ago, I was Ship’s Fiddler and Cabin Boy, but for the last two years I’d been assisting Mr Darwin, making use of my letters, like my da would have wanted. I like to think I’d picked up some of his way of thinking too.
From: Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
“I wonder if it would be difficult to ride on such a shell,” I said idly, then kicked myself. That wasn’t the kind of thing Mr Darwin wanted to hear from his assistant. “Well ready yourself then,” said Mr Darwin, and to my surprise he clambered onboard one of the giant tortoises, perching on top of its shell. “What are you waiting for?” The ancient animal stretched out its long crusty neck and hissed at the unexpected weight, then took a ponderous step. Mr Darwin just managed to catch his balance. His laugh rang out, much clearer and louder than his voice, and he slapped his thigh. This was more like it. The master might be awful clever and mostly serious but he was only a young man himself, and I loved those rare moments he was game for a lark. We’d been measuring tortoise shells all day and a break was more than welcome. I eyed up the tortoises and chose a smaller one that seemed to be fast asleep, its head tucked into its wrinkled neck like an acorn in its cap. I scrambled onto its back. It wasn’t as easy as Mr Darwin made it look. My master was tall and sometimes stooped. He had a way of swinging his arms when he walked, but wasn’t nearly as clumsy as he looked. My knees slipped on the mottled shell, but I finally managed to settle behind in the centre. When the tortoise started to move, I felt as though I was back on the Beagle sailing around the stormy waters of the Cape Horn.
From: Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Vocabulary
Explore
Hover for definitions!
studious buccaneer
glow of approval
domed
clambered onboard
ponderous
mottled shell
Explore
From: Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
I will model the first.
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
studious buccaneer
Explore
Find Read Talk
Mr Darwin crouched in front of a giant tortoise, notebook in hand. His home-made magnifying eyeglass, which the sailors of the Beagle all made fun of, gave him the look of a studious buccaneer.
Reveal Vocabulary
From: Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Your turn
studious bucaneer
domed
Find the word or phrase Read the sentence Talk about it to a partner
glow of approval
clambered onboard
ponderous
mottled shell
Use your text
Explore
Vocabulary Check & Re-read
Explore
Reveal Vocabulary
Teacher Note: Re-read if time allows.
September 1835 Albermarle Island, Galapagos
Mr Darwin crouched in front of a giant tortoise, notebook in hand. His home-made magnifying eyeglass, which the sailors of the Beagle all made fun of, gave him the look of a studious buccaneer. “See how the shell is completely domed, Covington,” he said. “It means they can’t raise their necks at all.” “Reckon they don’t need to, sir,” I said, watching the tortoises chewing. “There’s a lot of grass growing here, so they’re always looking down at the ground anyhow.” Mr Darwin’s eyebrows shot up and he grinned. “An interesting observation. Could the shell design force this behaviour, or could it be the other way around?” I didn't know the answer to that but felt my cheeks warm in the glow of his approval. When our voyage began four years ago, I was Ship’s Fiddler and Cabin Boy, but for the last two years I’d been assisting Mr Darwin, making use of my letters, like my da would have wanted. I like to think I’d picked up some of his way of thinking too.
From: Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Reveal Vocabulary
Teacher Note: Re-read if time allows.
“I wonder if it would be difficult to ride on such a shell,” I said idly, then kicked myself. That wasn’t the kind of thing Mr Darwin wanted to hear from his assistant. “Well ready yourself then,” said Mr Darwin, and to my surprise he clambered onboard one of the giant tortoises, perching on top of its shell. “What are you waiting for?” The ancient animal stretched out its long crusty neck and hissed at the unexpected weight, then took a ponderous step. Mr Darwin just managed to catch his balance. His laugh rang out, much clearer and louder than his voice, and he slapped his thigh. This was more like it. The master might be awful clever and mostly serious but he was only a young man himself, and I loved those rare moments he was game for a lark. We’d been measuring tortoise shells all day and a break was more than welcome. I eyed up the tortoises and chose a smaller one that seemed to be fast asleep, its head tucked into its wrinkled neck like an acorn in its cap. I scrambled onto its back. It wasn’t as easy as Mr Darwin made it look. My master was tall and sometimes stooped. He had a way of swinging his arms when he walked, but wasn’t nearly as clumsy as he looked. My knees slipped on the mottled shell, but I finally managed to settle behind in the centre. When the tortoise started to move, I felt as though I was back on the Beagle sailing around the stormy waters of the Cape Horn.
From: Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Fluency
Explore
Let me use my reader's voice...
“I wonder if it would be difficult to ride on such a shell,” I said idly, then kicked myself. That wasn’t the kind of thing Mr Darwin wanted to hear from his assistant. “Well ready yourself then,” said Mr Darwin, and to my surprise he clambered onboard one of the giant tortoises, perching on top of its shell. “What are you waiting for?”
What did you notice?
Explore
From: Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
My Turn
Your Turn
Echo Read
“I wonder if it would be difficult to ride on such a shell,” I said idly, then kicked myself.
That wasn’t the kind of thing Mr Darwin wanted to hear from his assistant.
“Well ready yourself then,” said Mr Darwin, and to my surprise he clambered onboard one of the giant tortoises,
perching on top of its shell. “What are you waiting for?”
Explore
From: Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Sound like a reader!
Stand up!
Choral Read
“I wonder if it would be difficult to ride on such a shell,” I said idly, then kicked myself. That wasn’t the kind of thing Mr Darwin wanted to hear from his assistant. “Well ready yourself then,” said Mr Darwin, and to my surprise he clambered onboard one of the giant tortoises, perching on top of its shell. “What are you waiting for?”
Explore
From: Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Strategy Focus
Explore
Strategy: Read Between the Lines
A) What impressions do you get of the character of Darwin from the text?
Be a detective and look for clues!
Teach
Let me show you
Reveal Text Marks
Mr Darwin crouched in front of a giant tortoise, notebook in hand. His home-made magnifying eyeglass, which the sailors of the Beagle all made fun of, gave him the look of a studious buccaneer.
A) What impressions do you get of the character of Darwin from the text?
Reveal Explainer
Mr Darwin is crouched in front of a giant tortoise with a notebook and a home-made magnifying glass. This shows that he is fearless, focused and dedicated to his scientific work. Even though the sailors make fun of him and he looks like a ‘studious buccaneer’, he carries on anyway. This tells me that he is also not bothered by what others think.
Teach
From: Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin © 2021. Licensed under CLA. Do not copy or share.
Strategy Stop
What else could you use to answer today's question(s)?
Teach
Your Turn
A) What impressions do you get of the character of Darwin from the text?
B) How can you tell Covington seeks approval of those he respects?
Find the answers
Text mark
Explore
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence - see how the shell is completely domed… it means they can't raise their necks at all - the master might be awful clever and mostly serious
observant, intelligent and usually serious
Text Mark Evidence could the shell design force this behaviour, or could it be the other way around
curious, enjoys questioning ideas, leads by example
A) What impressions do you get of the character of Darwin from the text?
Text Mark Evidence Mr Darwin’s eyebrows shot up and he grinned
encourages and values others’ ideas
Text Mark Evidence - clambered onboard one of the giant tortoises - he was only a young man himself, and I loved those rare moments he was game for a lark
young, playful and adventurous / not always serious
Go to the next slide for more...
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Text Mark Evidence his laugh rang out, much clearer and louder than his voice, and he slapped his thigh
cheerful
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence we’d been measuring tortoise shells all day and a break was more than welcome
hardworking, devoted to work
A) What impressions do you get of the character of Darwin from the text?
Text Mark Evidence - it wasn’t as easy as Mr Darwin made it look - he…wasn’t nearly as clumsy as he looked
confident, capable and agile
Text Mark Evidence tall and sometimes stooped…having a way of swinging his arms…wasn’t nearly as clumsy as he looked
tall and awkward in appearance
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Practise & Apply
Acceptable Answers
Text Mark Evidence felt my cheeks warm in the glow of his approval
blushes at a compliment from Darwin
Text Mark Evidence when our voyage began four years ago, I was Ship’s Fiddler and Cabin Boy, but for the last two years I’d been assisting Darwin
worked hard to advance to work with Darwin
B) How can you tell Covington seeks approval of those he respects?
Text Mark Evidence making use of my letters like my da would have wanted
wants to make his father proud
Text Mark Evidence I...kicked myself...that wasn’t the kind of thing Mr Darwin wanted to hear from his assistant
wants to impress Darwin or avoid embarrassing himself
Click on the evidence to reveal acceptable answers
Text Mark Evidence I like to think I’d picked up some of his (Darwin’s) way of thinking too
hopes to learn from Darwin
Practise & Apply
Quiz Time
Start
Picture Me
Which image is the best match for ‘domed’?
Which One's Right?
Which word is closest in meaning to ‘ponderous’?
B) noisy
A) excited
D) angry
C) slow
True or False?
This part of the story takes place in Narborough Island, Galapagos.
True
False
Fill the Gaps
necks
bucaneer
domed
Mr Darwin crouched in front of a giant tortoise, notebook in hand. His home-made magnifying eyeglass, which the sailors of the Beagle all made fun of, gave him the look of a studious . “See how the shell is completely , Covington,” he said. “It means they can’t raise their at all.”
Click if correct
Discuss then check
Feedback: Who did what well?
FindRead Talk
EchoRead
ChoralRead
ReadingStrategy
Answers & Text Marks
Other...
To be a book lover, you could...
celebrate your reading.
Reveal
Make a list of the books you've read and celebrate milestones.
Copyright Notice
This document has been supplied under a CLA Licence with specific terms of use. It is protected by copyright and, save as may be permitted by law, it may not be further copied, stored, re-copied electronically or otherwise shared, even for internal purposes, without the prior further permission of the Rightsholder. Extracts sourced from: Darwin’s Dragons by Lindsay Galvin © 2021 Schools must purchase the original text for full content.
bucaneer
domed
necks