James and the Giant Peach is a magical and whimsical story about lonely boy who lives with cruel aunts after his parents die from a rhinoceros. One day an Old Man appears in James’s backyard and gives him a bag of magical green crystals. He gives him instructions on how to use these crystals.
James falls and spills the magical green crystals on the ground. He is upset that he ‘wasted’ such a valuable gift. Soon a giant peach grows where the crystals have fallen. James goes inside the peach and discovers it is full of seven friendly giant-sized insects. One day the peach rolls away with James inside. It lands in the ocean killing James’s mean aunts in the process.
The book is filled with vivid and imaginative descriptions, making it a thrilling and captivating read for all ages. The characters are quirky and lovable, and the story is full of twists and turns that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
In the end, James and his friends reach New York City and prepare to embark on their final challenge – to defeat the wicked spider, who has been pursuing them all along. The fate of James and his friends hangs in the balance, and readers will be left eagerly anticipating the outcome of this incredible tale.
Read James and the Giant Peach to learn more about James’s adventures.
James and the Giant Peach Teaching Activities
Book Unit Samples
This sample contains…
- Vocabulary Practice for Chapters 1-3
- Comprehension Questions for Chapters 1-3
- Constructed Response Question
Teaching Idea #1 ~ Classroom Display
Teacher’s Pet is a website based out of England. They have resources for the novel to sell, but their classroom display printables are free.
Teaching Idea #2 ~ Report Covers
SuperColoring.com has several pictures from the story that you can either color online or print. These would make great report covers.
Teaching Idea #3 ~ Roald Dahl
Have students compare James and the Giant Peach to other books they have read, looking at similarities and differences in plot, characters, and themes. Check out a short biography of Roald Dahl and a “Comparing Roald Dahl Characters” here.
Teaching Idea #4 ~ Movie Trailer
Have students watch the 1996 movie trailer.
Teaching Idea #5 ~ On the Web
This site includes an extensive list of ideas broken down by subject areas.
Activities include passages at different reading levels and a word search puzzle.
You’ll find a lesson plan featuring Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker.
Teaching Idea #6 ~ Peach Activities
Whip up some fun peach-themed snacks. This could be peach smoothies, peach cobbler, or peach popsicles. You could also have “bug-themed” snacks.
Play games such as “Pin the Worm on the Peach” or “Peachy Bingo.”
Teaching Idea #7 ~ Map out the Journey
Have students create a map of the journey that James and his friends take inside the giant. peach. You could Mark the locations of key events from the story.
See the product that inspired this post.
James and the Giant Peach Novel Study includes vocabulary practice, comprehension questions, constructed response writing, and skill practice.
