Literature with Doctor Who

I designed this literature study for my 6th and 8th grade boys who love Doctor Who.  Because my son wanted to do some kind of Doctor Who focused study, I looked around at what was available and considered our current needs.  There is a study that focuses on the historical figures in Doctor Who, but our documentary-focused history studies are working very well for us.  Since literature has been a bit hum-drum lately, I figured it could use a bit of Time Lordiness injected into it.

This study is focused on 6 different authors that are referenced or featured on Doctor Who episodes.  Not only will my kids watch the specified episodes about the authors, but they will also learn more about the author and read classic literature.

Since my kids read at two different levels and my older son has already read some of the chosen books, some of their book selections will differ.  I’m using this as a strictly literature-based study and not adding any writing assignments or schooly work to it.  I found discussion to be an excellent tool for not only determining comprehension of the topic, but also for helping expand a child’s knowledge.  Writing instruction is important, but we already have that covered elsewhere.

C. S. Lewis

Reading selections:

• 6th grader:  Finish The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe series (The Silver Chair and The Last Battle)
• 8th grader:  Read Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength

Watch biography of C. S. Lewis  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5zSaMAvBKE

Watch 2011 Christmas Special:  The Doctor, the Widow, and the Wardrobe

Discussion comparing and contrasting The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe with The Doctor, the Widow, and the Wardrobe.

 

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Reading selections:

• The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
• The Mysterious Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
• The Hound of the Baskervilles

Watch biography of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJbYkq767QA

Watch Doctor Who:  The Snowmen

Discuss allusions to Sherlock Holmes in Doctor Who: The Snowmen

Watch The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and discuss the stories and any movie/book differences.

Watch The Hound of the Baskervilles and discuss the storyline as well as any movie/book differences.

 

William Shakespeare

Reading selections:

• 6th grader:  Finish Shakespeare Stories by Garfield
• 8th grader:  Read As You Like It

Watch biography of Shakespeare  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFvKHX9jY9U

Watch Doctor Who The Chase Part 1-6 http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2bf0rj_the-chase-1-the-executioners_shortfilms

Discuss Shakespeare’s part in this show.

Watch Doctor Who The Shakespeare Code

Discuss the storyline and whether it is an accurate portrayal of Shakespeare.

Watch As You Like It – BBC Shakespeare production.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0fehH_LX_Q

 

Agatha Christie

Reading selections:

• And Then There Were None
• Murder on the Orient Express
• The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

Watch biography of Agatha Christie  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJp15YlYGHo

Watch And Then There Were None movie

Discussion of differences between the book and the movie.

Watch Murder on the Orient Express movie

Discussion of the book and the movie

Watch The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

Discussion of the book and movie.

Watch Doctor Who The Unicorn and the Wasp

Discuss the Doctor Who episode, Agatha Christie’s disappearance, and her appearance on the show.

Watch Doctor Who Mummy on the Orient Express

Discuss the parallels between this episode and Agatha Christie’s book.

H. G. Wells

Reading selections:

• 6th grader:  The Time Machine and The War of the Worlds
• 8th grader:  The Invisible Man and The Island of Doctor Moreau

Watch H. G. Wells biography https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BENaIigddFY

Listen to War of the Worlds radio broadcast by Orson Wells https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs0K4ApWl4g

Research public reaction to the radio broadcast and discuss findings

Watch The War of the Worlds 1953 version and discuss differences between the movie and the book.

Watch The Time Machine 1960 version and discuss.

Watch The Invisible Man and discuss.

Watch Island of Dr. Moreau 1977 version and discuss.

Watch Doctor Who Timelash episode (6th doctor) Part 1 http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xrq2yv_timelash-1-of-2_shortfilms and Part 2 http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xrx77t_timelash-2-of-2_shortfilms

Discuss H.G. Wells’ appearance on the episode and how it relates to his stories.

 

Charles Dickens

Reading selections:

• 6th grader:  A Christmas Carol and 3 different self-selected short stories from here:  http://www.dickens-online.info/short-stories.htm
• 8th grader:  Great Expectations

Watch Charles Dickens biography https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unKuZ2wlNdw (short) and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My-buSNJIYc

Watch Christmas Carol movie and discuss differences between the book and the movie.

Watch Doctor Who A Christmas Carol and discuss the connections between this story and Dickens’ story.

Watch Great Expectations.  BBC version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xJFrAA82mU

Discuss the story and differences between the book and the movie.

Watch Doctor Who (9th doctor) The Unquiet Dead and discuss Dickens in the show and whether or not he was portrayed accurately.

Watch Doctor Who (11th doctor) The Wedding of River Song and discuss Dickens’ involvement in the show.