Overview and Outcomes:

This three-week Writing Root begins by introducing the concept of dreams and how important they are in our lives. It continues by exploring the text through a range of activities that include explicit grammar teaching, opportunities for shorter written outcomes and book talk. Children create a story-map of the key events from the book to write a sequel and create a set of instruction to describe how their own flying machine works. Children finish by writing a longer story about an adventure in a sequel to the text.

Synopsis of Text:

A young boy, bewitched by his fathers unrelenting passion to fly; a desperate craving that absorbs his every waking minute, finds himself entranced by the dream. When his father goes to war and does not return it seems the spell is broken. . Much later, the boy, now a young man finds himself drawn once more to his fathers drawings and failed experiments. Finally able to make his fathers dream a reality he flies. Will his own son be visited by this unrelenting passion?

Text Rationale:

This stunning picture book by significant author Grahame Baker-Smith won the Kate Greenaway medal in 2011 and explores the relationship between a father a son.  Close inspection of the text and illustrations provides subtle links to World War One and ancient Greece, in particular the story of Icarus, as well as strong links to the DT curriculum.  There are many opportunities to discuss family relationships, memories and following your dreams.  

Links and themes:

Ancient Greece, Icarus, Greek myths, Da Vinci, flight, World War 1, World War One, The Great War, dreams, aspirations, invention, family

Date written: September 2013            Updated: September 2022