In Cressida Cowell’s novel How to Train Your Dragon, readers meet Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III as he strives to prove himself in a world of Vikings and dragons. This fantasy novel combines humor, action, and heartwarming moments, making it a perfect read for upper elementary students.
Hiccup, the son of a Viking chief, must capture and train a dragon to pass his initiation. Along the way, he befriends a small, toothless dragon he names Toothless. Through their unlikely friendship, Hiccup learns valuable lessons about bravery, leadership, and the true meaning of heroism.
Join Hiccup and Toothless in How to Train Your Dragon to discover what it truly means to be a hero.
How to Train Your Dragon Teaching Activities
Activity #2 Book Unit Samples
This sample includes
- Vocabulary Practice for Chapters 1-2
- Comprehension Questions for Chapter 1
- Constructed Response Question – Character Traits of the Novices of the Hairy Hooligan Tribe
Whether you’re looking to enhance your students’ comprehension with thought-provoking discussion questions, ignite their creativity with imaginative writing prompts, or bring excitement to your lessons with interactive activities like the Dragon Egg Hunt, this handout has it all. One great idea included is a fun prediction writing activity where students use clues from the movie trailer to guess what will happen next. Download our handout now to access these valuable resources and make your classroom an exciting place for learning and adventure!
Activity #2 Dragon Training Manual Project
One way to gain interest in dragon training while reading the novel is to have students create a “Dragon Training Manual.” This activity allows students to step into the shoes of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III by creating an original detailed training manual for a dragon. For this project, students illustrate their dragons, develop care tips, craft training commands, and outline safety rules. This project aligns with literature and art curriculum standards. Students will be proud of their completed manuals and wish to show them off to their classmates.
Teachers will find this activity easy to implement with these ready-to-use handouts.
Activity #3 Dragon Egg Hunt
Transform your classroom into an adventure with a How to Train Your Dragon themed Dragon Egg Hunt! This interactive activity is designed to deepen students’ understanding of the story. The Dragon Egg Hunt involves hiding plastic eggs around the classroom or playground, each containing a question or challenge related to the novel. Once the students have found all the eggs, have them work in small groups to follow the instructions written on cards inside the eggs. Instructions include Challenge cards that ask students to role-play, make-up tales, and sketch. Some eggs will contain Trivia Questions for students to answer.
This hands-on approach makes learning enjoyable. With minimal preparation required, this activity is perfect for teachers looking for an easy-to-implement classroom activity.
How to Train Your Dragon 2025 Movie
Exciting news for fans of How to Train Your Dragon! A live-action adaptation of the beloved animated film is set to arrive in theaters on June 13, 2025. Directed by Dean DeBlois, who was also behind the original film, this new version promises to vividly bring the magical world of dragons and Vikings to life.
The cast features Mason Thames as Hiccup, Nico Parker as Astrid, and Gerard Butler reprising his role as Stoick. With stunning visual effects and a captivating storyline, this live-action remake is sure to deliver a thrilling experience for both new audiences and longtime fans of the franchise.
Excite your students with our How to Train Your Dragon movie trailer activity handout! After watching the trailer, guide your students through discussion questions, creative writing prompts, and fun activities to deepen their connection to the story. For example, students create character sketches based on the characters shown in the trailer. They can draw the characters and write a brief description of their personality, role in the story, and relationships with other characters. Download the handout to see the list of suggested activities.
Download the handout to see the list of suggested activities.
These engaging activities will deepen your students’ understanding of How to Train Your Dragon. They will foster their creativity and critical thinking skills. From creating dragon training manuals and participating in the Dragon Egg Hunt to analyzing the upcoming live-action movie trailer, your students will enjoy exploring the novel from various angles.
To get started, download the comprehensive handout that includes all the printables for these projects. Dive into the adventures of Hiccup and Toothless, and let your classroom come alive with the wonders of How to Train Your Dragon.
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Discover the Ultimate Novel Study Unit!
Transform your classroom with our comprehensive novel study unit. Packed with engaging activities, vocabulary practice, comprehension questions, and much more, this resource is designed to enhance your students’ reading experience.
Plus, exclusive digital versions of the blog post activities are included in the paid unit for added convenience. Check out the full unit on TPT.
