Born to Run by Michael Morpurgo - Activity Pack by Twinkl

‘Born to Run’ First Impressions

Born to Run: Text copyright © Michael Morpurgo 2007; Illustrations © Michael Foreman 2007

Read this extract from pp.51-52 where Patrick has taken his greyhound, Best Mate, to the park.

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Quick Warm-Up Activity Work with a partner. You have two minutes to find and copy a word from the extract that has a similar meaning to…

scurrying cheering endurance leap Challenge: Add another synonym that the author could have used.

Discussion Activity Point of View

Or: Create your own character (animal or person) that may be in the park. What is your point of view as you watch Best Mate run? Are you another dog that is seething with jealousy because you cannot reach the fast pace of Best Mate or are you a dog owner that watches in admiration and awe?

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Born to Run: Text copyright © Michael Morpurgo 2007; Illustrations © Michael Foreman 2007

Can you adopt the perspective of Best Mate and explain, in first person, what it’s like when you run? How do you feel? What do you like to do when you’re in the park?

‘Born to Run’ Adult Guidance

The ‘Born to Run’ activity pack contains an adult guidance sheet which includes an overview of the story and key skill questions that can be used to target pupils’ understanding as you are reading the book.

Additionally, there is an activity sheet for children who may have not read the whole text before. This contains an extract from the text, a warm-up synonym task and a discussion activity.

Overview

Born to Run: Text copyright © Michael Morpurgo 2007; Illustrations © Michael Foreman 2007

For Best Mate, being rescued is only the start of his adventures. From unwanted burden to favourite companion, and from pet to champion race dog, this remarkable greyhound proves that it’s not just cats who have more than one life.

Cast aside, kidnapped or living rough on the streets, Best Mate can always find a way to survive. But will he ever find a real home?

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‘Born to Run’

Key Skills Questions Before reading: Why do you think the title may be ‘Born to Run’? What themes do you think the book has?

Retrieve

p.10: Why did Patrick let in the goal?

p.27: Patrick stood there soaking in the applause…

Predict

Discuss Authorial Choices

Why do you think the author chose to use this phrase? What effect does it create?

Discuss Authorial Choices pp.40-41: His mum and dad were standing there grinning down at him like a couple of cats that had got the cream.

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What literary device has the author used here? What impression does it give the reader?

Compare and Contrast

p.51: What do you think the author means by the phrase ‘cheetah-dog’?

p.67: Why do you think Mr Boots has helped kidnap Best Mate?

p.76: Find a word or phrase which shows that Craig is treating the dog roughly.

pp.94-100: Why do you think Becky likes taking the dogs into the house?

Infer

Predict

Explain Vocabulary

Infer

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Born to Run: Text copyright © Michael Morpurgo 2007; Illustrations © Michael Foreman 2007

p.45: Compare Patrick’s treatment in school at the start of the text and after he found the puppies.

‘The Nine Lives of Montezuma' Key Skills Questions

Infer p.112: Why do you think Becky has ‘a shiver of dread’?

Discuss Authorial Choices

pp.120-121: Why do you think the author chose to underline some of the words in Becky’s note to her mum?

Explain Vocabulary p.137: Find a synonym for hungry. What effect does it create?

p.144: Why do you think the lady behind the counter brings her extra tea, bread, butter and jam for free?

Infer

pp.159-164: How does Brighteyes show his loyalty to Becky?

p.178: Why do you think it was important that Joe still protested even though Marion wasn’t at Fairlawns anymore?

Infer

Explain Vocabulary

pp.204- 212: Summarise in three words how you would describe the community’s support for Fairlawns.

Summarise

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Born to Run: Text copyright © Michael Morpurgo 2007; Illustrations © Michael Foreman 2007

Infer

p.178: Why did Joe’s laughter suddenly turn to tears?

p.195: Find a phrase that shows that Paddywack had a positive effect on Fairlawns.

Infer

‘The Nine Lives of Montezuma' Key Skills Questions

pp.229-230: Why do you think Paddywack was desperate to get off the boat?

pp.239-240: How would you describe Paddywack’s meeting with Patrick?

Infer

Summarise

Compare and Contrast

After reading: Why do you think the author chose to include accounts from the point of view of the greyhound compared to the rest of the book, which was written in the third person?

Compare and Contrast

Born to Run: Text copyright © Michael Morpurgo 2007; Illustrations © Michael Foreman 2007

After reading: What do you think each of the greyhound’s owners had in common with each other? How were they different?

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Quick Warm-Up Activity Answers Work with a partner. You have two minutes to find and copy a word from the extract that has a similar meaning to…

Example Answers

scurrying

scampering

scuttling

cheering

whooping

shrieking

endurance

stamina

energy

leap

bound

jump

Discussion Activity Point of View

As I run through the park, I feel completely free. The highlight of my day is going to the park. The park is full of excitement: chasing birds, searching for squirrels and playing with other dogs. I love to run laps as Patrick watches on. When I see him smile, it makes me want to burst with happiness; I can feel how proud he is of me.

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Born to Run: Text copyright © Michael Morpurgo 2007; Illustrations © Michael Foreman 2007

Best Mate: