Activity 1
Read Chapter 1 of ‘Coraline.’
Consider the text and answer the following questions:
What is your first impression of Coraline?
Sum up her character in 3 sentences.
Extension: find a quotation from the text to support your impression of her.
Activity 2
In chapters 4 and 5 we see how Coraline faces danger and being alone.
Make a Fear Factor graph which shows how Coraline feels about her experiences during these two chapters.
Use the following events in the story to plot on your graph:
Coraline is invited to stay with her Other Parents forever – Page 29
She is offered button eyes – Page 29
Her Other Mother strokes her hair – Page 28
Coraline’s real parents have vanished – Page 31/32
Coraline is alone at night and cries – Page 33
Coraline sees her parents trapped in a mirror – Page 33
The policeman does not take Coraline seriously – Page 35
The Other Mother’s teeth are too long – Page 39
Coraline is told her real parents don’t want her – Page 40
There is only one key to the door – and the Other Mother has it – Page 41
The Other Mother has rats as pets – Page 41
Coraline is trapped in the Other House – Page 41
Sum up her character in 3 sentences.
Extension: find a quotation from the text to support your impression of her.
Activity 3
Chapter 7 – In Chapter 7 we meet the three other victims of the Other Mother.
- Who were they?
- What do we learn about each one?
- How did each one become trapped?
Remember to use quotations to support your points.
Activity 4
Chapter 8 – Put the following events in order that they happen in Chapter 8:
- She goes outside where she finds another soul – a bright marble
- Coraline gets scared and starts running
- The other mother accepts the challenge
- Coraline goes exploring to find her parents and the other children’s souls.
- The other mother makes Coraline her favourite breakfast
- The other mother comes and gets Coraline out from behind the mirror
- Coraline finds the soul of one of the other children – a red marble
- Coraline challenges her other mother to a “finding-things” game
- She changes back into her own pyjamas
Activity 5
Reflection – What makes Coraline an effective heroine?
Heroine Definition: a woman who is looked up to for her good character or fine actions.
Try to answer the question above. Use the sentence stems and key words below to help.
Brave Curious Determined Strong Helpful Protective Unselfish Kind Honest
In my opinion
I think that
It is clear that
It is exciting when
It creates suspense when
We feel …. when
This shows
This suggests
This implies
This demonstrates