Roald Dahl is best known as one of the world’s best-loved storytellers. In books like “Matilda”, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, and “James and the Giant Peach”, Dahl brought readers into his wildly original imagination with richly detailed worlds, zany characters, and touching storylines. His children’s books feature villainous adults, heroic child protagonists, and fanciful worlds, and have been adapted into dozens of plays and films.
Though best known for his children’s fantasy novels, Dahl also wrote adult fiction, short stories, and screenplays for hit films like “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.”
5 Interesting Facts About Roald Dahl
- He invented more than 500 new words and namesCalling his invented language Gobblefunk, Dahl created hundreds of new words (“frobscottle”) and names (Oompa Loompas) to embellish his vividly original worlds.
- The Chocolate Factory is inspired by Cadbury’sWhen he was a child, Cadbury’s chocolate company would taste-test their treats at Dahl’s school. The young Dahl dreamed of creating his own chocolate recipe that would impress Mr. Cadbury himself.
- He worked alongside James Bond’s creatorDuring his time as a British intelligence officer in WWII, Dahl worked with another spy named Ian Fleming. Fleming later wrote the James Bond books as well as “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”, which Dahl adapted for the big screen.
- Dahl wrote for PlayboyThough best known as a children’s author, Dahl wrote many short stories for adults. His R-rated work was published in a variety of magazines including Playboy.
- Dahl contributed to neurosurgery researchAfter his four-month-old son was struck by a cab and left suffering from hydrocephalus, Dahl poured his time and energy into helping to develop a device to treat the condition.
Lesson Plan on Ronald Dahl Day
September 13 is Roald Dahl Day, a perfect opportunity to dive into the whimsical world of the children’s author and check out his books. Whether you’re homeschooling or just looking to celebrate creatively, here are some engaging lesson ideas and activities:
Roald Dahl Day Homeschool Lesson Ideas
Creative Activities
- Character Costume Party: For a Fun Homeschool #FieldTrip Dress up as Matilda, The BFG, or even Willy Wonka and the Oompa Lumpa’s for a Costume visit a Costume Store or make your own Costume by visiting a Thrift Store or Resale Store for clothes you can use.
- BFG Dream Jars: Craft jars filled with glitter and “dreams” written on paper. Then fill the jar with your families hopes and dreams for the Future.
- Make Oompa Loompa Cake Pops: A sweet treat inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Literacy & Comprehension
- Compare Book vs. Movie: Read a Roald Dahl book and watch its film adaptation to discuss differences.
- Character Study: Use descriptive writing to build profiles of characters like Miss Trunchbull or Mr. Fox.
- Author Study: Explore Dahl’s biography and quirky facts—like how he invented over 500 words.
STEM & Math
- Math Worksheets with Dahl Themes: Practice math using characters and settings from his books.
- Science of Telekinesis: Inspired by Matilda, explore forces and motion in a fun experiment.
- Invent Like Mr. Wormwood: Design your own “future-proof” invention.
Games & Printables
- Roald Dahl Word Search & Memory Game: Great for quiet time or group play.
- Guess Who Game with Dahl Characters: Print and play for a fun twist on the classic game.
- Trivia Challenge: Test knowledge of Dahl’s books and characters.
You can find full lesson plans and printable resources on Roald Dahl’s official teaching site, or explore curated homeschool activities on Homeschool Super Freak and Homeschool of 1.
I would like to ask you a question. Would you like help building a full-day schedule or themed unit study around one of Roald Dahl books? I’d love to help you plan it! Just leave me a comment and let me know what you need.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
