Reasons for selection and synopsis:

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is perhaps Roald Dahl’s best-known story. The story of Charlie Bucket, the five Golden Tickets, the Oompa-Loompas and the amazing Mr Willy Wonka has become firmly embedded in our culture since it was first published in 1964. Conservative estimates suggest the original book has sold over 20 million copies worldwide; it is now available in 55 languages. 

Before reading…

Ask the children to look at the front cover.
– What do you think the book will be about?
– What things can you see on the front cover?
– What sort of story will it be?
– Who might enjoy it?

Here Comes Charlie AND Mr Willy Wonk’s Factory

Vocabulary
– What is a ‘chocolatier’?
– What is an ‘inventor’?
– Why is the soup described as ‘watery’?
– Think of a synonym for ‘gorgeous’.

Infer
– What food did the family eat? Why did they only eat these foods?
– Why did they only get ‘second helpings’ on Sundays?
– Why would Charlie slow down when he walked past the chocolate factory?
– Why is Willy Wonka such an amazing chocolatier?
– Why did the family love George?

Predict
– Will the family stay poor?
– What will happen on Charlie’s birthday this year?
– What did the Prince do?

Explain
– What emotions do you feel towards Charlie and his family?
– What is the effect of the line ‘And oh, how he wished he could go inside the factory and
see what it was like!’? How is it ironic?
– What impression do we get of the chocolate factory?
– Why did Charlie always go into the room of his four grand

Mr Wonka and the Indian Prince AND The Secret Workers

Vocabulary
– Define ‘stammered’.
– What is ‘leg-pulling’?
– Define ‘absurd’.
– What is a spy?

Infer
– Why did Mr Wonka tell the Prince to eat the house right away?
– Why does Charlie’s mum call him away?
– How do the chocolate and sweets leave the factory?
– Why would other people want the recipes?

Predict
– Why is the factory gate always closed?
– What kind of people work in the factory?
– How will the ‘lucky few’ be chosen?

Explain
– How does Dahl build suspense when Grandpa tells the story?
– How would Charlie feel as he listens to the story of the Indian Prince?
– Why would Charlie ask whether the story was true?

Retrieve
– What was the palace made out of?
– Why did the palace melt?
– How many rooms are in the palace?
– Why did the factory close down?
– What are the three other factory owners called?

Summarise
– Summarise how Grandpa feels when he tells his stories in one word.
– Summarise how Charlie would feel when he read the headline in one word.

The Golden Tickets AND The First Two Finders

Vocabulary
– Why is the ticket ‘golden’?
– What does ‘dotty’ mean?
– Define ‘confectionary’.
– What does ‘spoiled’ mean?

Infer
– Why will Mr Wonka sell more chocolate bars than ever?
– Why does Grandma Josephine feel ill when she thinks about the chocolate?
– Why are the richer kids more likely to get a ticket?
– How did Veruca’s father ‘not play fair’?

Predict
– Will Charlie find a ticket?
– How long will it take for the tickets to all be found?
– Will the prize be as good as it sounds?

Explain
– How would Charlie feel when he heard about the golden tickets?
– How does Dahl make the golden tickets sound appealing?
– How does Dahl make Augustus sound revolting?

Retrieve
– How many children will be chosen to visit the factory?
– What ‘special present’ will the children get at the end of the tour?
– When is Charlie’s birthday?
– When was the first golden ticket found?
– What is the name of the person who finds the first ticket?
– What is the name of the person who finds the second ticket?

Summarise
– Summarise Augustus in one word.
– Summarise Veruca in one word.
– Describe how Charlie would feel when he thought about the ticket in one word.

Charlie’s Birthday and Two More Golden Tickets Found

Vocabulary
– Define ‘ridiculous’.
– Why is the ticket described as ‘magic’?
– Define ‘despicable’.

Infer
– Why did Charlie ‘smile nervously’ on his bed?
– Why does Charlie share his chocolate bar?
– Why do the family not want to eat Charlie’s chocolate?
– Why do Charlie’s family think Violet is ‘beastly’?
– Why do Charlie’s family think Mike is a ‘brat’?

Predict
– Will Charlie find a ticket in his chocolate bar?
– Will the four winners get on with each other?
– Will the children like the factory?

Explain
– What is the effect of WONKA’S WHIPPLE-SCRUMPTIOUS FUDGEMALLOW DELIGHT
being in capital letters?
– How does Dahl build tension before Charlie opens his present?
– What is the effect of the use of ellipses (…) in these chapters?

Retrieve
– What is Charlie going to be late for?
– How many tickets are left to be found in ‘Charlie’s Birthday’?
– Who finds the third ticket?
– Who finds the fourth ticket?
– What’s the name of Violet’s best friend?
– What world record in Violet trying to get?
– How old is Mike?

Summarise
– Describe Violet in one word.
– Describe Mike in one word.
– How would Charlie feel? Summarise in one word.

Grandpa Joe Takes a Gamble AND The Family Begins to Starve

Vocabulary
– What is ‘peals of laughter’?
– Define ‘automatically’.
– What is ‘hardship?
– What is a synonym for ‘luscious’?

Infer
– Why do they open the bar together?
– Why would Charlie eat the chocolate bar in the shop?
– Why did Charlie check if someone had lost the money?
– Why does Charlie begin to look like a ‘skeleton’?

Predict
– Will the ticket be found in the bar?
– Will Charlie give the money to his mother?
– How will the family react when they hear he has found money?

Explain
– How does Dahl build suspense when they are opening the bar?
– Why is ‘WHOLE’ and ‘FOOD’ in capital letters?

Retrieve
– What does Grandpa Joe get Charlie?
– How much money falls out of Grandpa’s purse?
– How long was Charlie gone for?
– How many feet of snow is around the house?
– How much money does Charlie find?

Summarise
– Describe how Charlie’s family feels in one word.
– Summarise how Charlie would feel when he finds the money in

 The Miracle AND What It Said on the Golden Ticket

Vocabulary
– What adjectives are used to describe the shopkeeper?
– Define ‘peculiar’.
– What words might you shout if you are very excited?
– What does ‘tremendous’ mean?

Infer
– Why does Charlie choose a ‘Wonka’s Whipple-Scrumptious Fudgemallow Delight’ bar?
– Why does the girl say that Charlie ‘will need’ a lifetime supply of chocolate?
– Why would the way Charlie ate the chocolate give him ‘tummy ache’?
– Why does Grandpa want Charlie to clean himself up?
– Why are the children allowed to bring a family member to the factory?

Predict
– How will Grandpa react when he hears Charlie has a ticket?
– How will his mum react when she finds out he spent the money on chocolate?
– Who will Charlie want to bring with him to the factory?

Explain
– How does Dahl show the shop keeper’s excitement?
– What do exclamation marks (!) add to this chapter?
– Why does Dahl put IT’S THE FIFTH GOLDEN TICKET, MOTHER, AND I’VE FOUND IT in capital letters?

Retrieve
– How high does the shopkeeper leap into the air?
– How long does it take Charlie to eat the chocolate?
– How long does it take Charlie to run home?
– What does Grandpa shout when he finds out about the ticket?
– What day is it?
– What day and time do they need to be at the factory?

Summarise
– Describe how Charlie feels when he finds the ticket in one word.
– How would Grandpa feel when he finds out? Describe his emotions in one word.

The Big Day Arrives AND Mr Willy Wonka

Vocabulary
– What words are used to describe how slim Charlie is?
– What words are used to describe the sounds?
– Find some phrases that describe how alive Mr. Wonka looks.
– What is a ‘verruca’?

Infer
– Why are policemen outside the factory?
– Why are the children ‘famous’?
– What happens that makes people know it is ten o’clock?
– Why is it so warm in the factory?

Predict
– What will the factory be like inside?
– Will the children get on with Mr. Wonka?
– How will the children behave?

Explain
– How does Dahl build anticipation?
– What is the effect of ending the chapter with the line ‘THE CHOCOLATE ROOM’?
– How does Dahl make Mr. Wonka seem energetic?

Retrieve
– How many chocolate bars did Veruca’s dad buy?
– What kind of factory does Veruca’s dad own?
– What kind of coat is Veruca wearing?
– What is Mr. Wonka wearing?
– What smells does Grandpa smell?

Summarise
– Describe how you would feel standing outside the factory.
– Summarise how you would feel when you step into the factory.

The Chocolate Room and The Oompa-Loompas

Vocabulary
– Define ‘flabbergasted’.
– What does ‘mischievous’ mean?
– Think of a synonym for ‘bewildered’.

Infer
– Why is the chocolate room the most important room?
– Why are the children ‘bewildered’ by the factory?
– Why did the Oompa-Loompas come back with Mr. Wonka?
– What ingredients are added to cacao beans to make chocolate?

Predict
– Will the Oompa-Loompas be good workers?
– What will happen to Augustus?

Explain
– What is the effect of having lots of questions?
– How do you feel about the Oompa-Loompas being taken away from their home?
– How would the children be feeling?

Retrieve
– How big are the Oompa-Loompas?
– What food did the Oompa-Loompas long for?
– How did Mr. Wonka get the Oompa-Loompas to his factory?
– Where are the Oompa-Loompas from?
– What beasts are described? S
– What did Augustus sneak off to do?

Summarise
– Describe the Oompa-Loompas in one word.
– Summarise the chocolate room in one word.

Augustus Gloop Goes up the Pipe AND Down the Chocolate River

Vocabulary
– What is a ‘nincompoop’?
– Find a synonym for ‘Inconceivable’.
– What synonyms for ‘crazy’ are used?
– What is ‘hollowing’?

Infer
– How is Augustus ‘dirtying’ the chocolate?
– Why woud no one buy Augustus-flavoured chocolate-coated Gloop?
– What makes the chocolate so creamy?
– Why do they think Mr. Wonka is crazy?

Predict
– What will happen to Augustus?
– Where will the boat take them?
– Will anyone else get into trouble?

Explain
– How does Dahl make the boat ride exciting?
– How does Dahl emphasise the fear the parents feel?
– Why are the storeroom titles in capital letters?
– How do you feel towards Mr. Wonka?

Retrieve
– Which room does Augustus shoot off to?
– What do the Oompa-Loompas say will happen to Augustus in their song?
– What is in STOREROOM 54?
– What is in STOREROOM 71?
– What is in STOREROOM 77?

Summarise
– How would Augustus be feeling when he falls in?
– How would the parents feel?
– What emotions would you feel while on the boat?

The Inventing Room AND The Great Gum Machine

Vocabulary
– What does ‘everlasting’ mean?
– Find a simile used to describe how excited Mr. Wonka was.
– Find an example of onomatopoeia.
– Why is the word ‘cackling’ used instead of ‘laughing’?

Infer
– Why is the inventing room the most important room in the entire factory?
– How is the room like a ‘witch’s kitchen’?
– Why are the children confused about the hair toffee?
– Why is Veruca so excited about the gum?
– Why does Mike say ‘do you mean that is all’?

Predict
– Do you think the children will not touch anything?
– Who will be next to get into trouble?
– What is going to be so special about this gum?

Explain
– What is effect of Mr. Wonka repeating ‘do not touch’ anything?
– What is the impact of ending the chapter with ‘It’s a stick of gum! It’s a stick of the most
amazing and fabulous and sensational gum in the world!’?

Retrieve
– What happens if you eat hair toffee?
– What happened to the Oompa-Loompa who tried the hair toffee?
– What colour is the treacle?
– How many children are left?
– How long has the Oompa-Loompa been sucking on the gobstopper?

Summarise
– Summarise how the children would feel in the inventing room in one word.
– Summarise Mr. Wonka at this point in the book in one word.

Good-bye Violet AND Along the Corridor

Vocabulary
– Define ‘peculiar’.
– Think of a synonym for ‘nonsense’.
– Why are Violet’s jaws described as ‘well-trained’?
– Define ‘polite’.

Infer
– Why will this gum mean there will be ‘no more knives and plates’?
– Why doesn’t Mr. Wonka want to give Violet the gum?
– Why is it so funny that Violet goes purple?
– What annoys Mr. Wonka about the way Mike speaks?
– What seasons are ‘hot ice creams’ most useful? Why?

Predict
– Why will Mr. Wonka be proud of the square sweets that look round?
– Which child will be the next to go?

Explain
– How do the Oompa-Loompas songs contribute to the storytelling?
– What is the effect of Mr. Wonka continually telling Mike that he is annoying?
– Has your opinion of Mr. Wonka changed at all? Why?

Retrieve
– What is Mr. Wonka’s latest, greatest, most fascinating invention?
– What is the first course that Violet tastes?
– What is the main course that Violet tastes?
– What is the dessert that Violet tastes?
– What fruit is Violet compared to?
– How many Oompa-Loompas roll Violet?
– What room is Violet taken to? Why?
– What fruits are on the ‘lickable wallpaper?
– What flavour milk do the cows give?

Summarise
– Summarise the Oompa-Loompas song in one word.
– Describe Violet’s actions in one word.

 Square Sweets That Look Round AND Veruca in the Nut Room

Vocabulary
– Define ‘glorious’.
– What is a ‘culprit’?
– What is a ‘chute’?

Infer
– Why would BUTTERSCOTCH AND BUTTERGIN make the Oompa-Loompas ‘tiddly?
– Why were the women getting out of breath?
– Why are the Oompa-Loompas glad that Veruca’s parents fell down the shoot?
– Why is it funny that Mr. Wonka says Veruca’s ‘head must have sounded quite hollow?

Predict
– What will happen in the ‘nut room’?
– Which child will go next?
– Who will be the last child left?

Explain
– Why is Mr. Wonka becoming more rude?
– What is the effect of the argument between Mr. Wonka and the others?
– What is the effect of ending the chapter with: ‘Never you mind,’ said Mr Wonka. ‘You just wait and see’?
– What is the effect of the ellipses (…) in these chapters?

Retrieve
– How many children are left?
– What do the square sweets look like?
– Why do they need to use squirrels to crack the nuts?
– How many squirrels are in the room?
– What type of nuts are they shelling?
– What do they do with ‘bad nuts’?
– As well as nuts, what else goes down the chute?

Summarise
– Summarise how Veruca would feel.
– Describe Veruca’s parents in one word.

The Great Glass Lift AND The Television-Chocolate Room

Vocabulary
– What is ‘astonishment’?
– Think of a synonym for ‘dangerous’.
– What does ‘luminous’ mean?
– What is a ‘miracle’?

Infer
– Why should they take the lift if they are feeling tired?
– What is so special about the lift?
– Why are Invisible Chocolate Bars good ‘for eating in class’?
– Why are Luminous Lollies good ‘for eating in bed at night’?
– Why does Mike pick the ‘TELEVISION CHOCOLATE’ button?
– Why do they have to wear dark glasses in the television room?
– Why does Grandpa Joe call the television chocolate ‘a miracle’?

Predict
– Where will the elevator take them?
– What will happen in the television-chocolate room?
– Who will get in trouble in the television room?
– Will the television chocolate ‘change the world’?

Explain
– Why are the labels all in capital letters?
– Which button would you press? Why?
– What is the effect of repeating the word ‘dazzling’?
– How does Dahl create excitement in these chapters?

Retrieve
– How many children are left?
– What does Mike want to do when his feet get tired?
– How many buttons are in the lfit?
– How deep in the rock-candy mine?
– What happens if you eat Mint Jujubes?
– How many different colours can you spit in if you suck Rainbow Drops?
– What could happen if you stand too close to the camera?
– What do they Oompa-Loompas wear to protect themselves?

Summarise
– Describe how MIke would feel in the television room in one word.
– How would you feel if you were Mr. Wonka showing the children round the factory?

Mike Teavee is Sent by Television AND Only Charlie Left

Vocabulary
– Define ‘repulsive’.
– Think of a synonym for ‘idiotic’.
– Why is Mike described as ‘crazy’?
– What is a ‘tantrum’?
– What does it mean if you ‘haven’t the foggiest idea’?

Infer
– What do the Oompa-Loompas suggest is the reason for children not reading anymore?
– Why would Mr Teavee hope it was ‘the top half’ of Mike that came back?
– Why would Mike’s voice be no louder than the squeaking of a mouse?
– Why was Charlie not frightened or nervous but ‘just terrifically excited?
– Why do the houses look so small from the elevator?
– Why does Charlie think ‘something crazy is going to happen’?

Predict
– What will Mike try to send through the TV?
– Will Mike survive?
– What will happen to Charlie in the final few chapters?

Explain
– How does Dahl build tension when Mike asks if people can be sent through TV?
– What else could you do with toes as long as fingers?
– Why are certain words in capital letters?

Retrieve
– What does Mr. Wonka say cereal is made out of?
– What does ‘vitamin Wonka’ do?
– How tall is Mike?
– What vitamins does the Supervitamin Chocolate have in it?
– Why doesn’t the Supervitamin Chocolate continue vitamin S?
– Why doesn’t the Supervitamin Chocolate continue vitamin H?
– How does the elevator stay up in the air?

Summarise
– How would Mike’s parents feel at the end of the chapter?
– How would Charlie feel when he is the last one left?
– How would you feel if you were going UP AND OUT?

The Other Children Go Home and Charlie’s Chocolate Factory

Vocabulary
– Think of a synonym for ‘dreadful’.
– What does it mean when someone says ‘goodness gracious’? Can you think of a similar
saying?
– Find an example of onomatopoeia.
– What words could you use instead of ‘shouted’?

Infer
– Why is Mike so tall and thin?
– Why would ‘every basketball team in the country’ be trying to get Mike?
– Why does Mr. Wonka give the factory to Charlie?
– Why would a child be better than an adult to take over the factory?
– Why is Mr. Bucket so distressed?
– Why does Grandma Josephine call Mr. Wonka a ‘crazy man’?
– Why does Charlie think the factory is ‘the most wonderful place in the world’?

Predict
– What will Charlie get in the final chapter.
– What will Charlie do with the factory?
– What might happen next?

Explain
– How does Dahl build suspense at the end of chapter 29?
– Why might the Grandparents want to stay at home?
– Is it right for them to take the Grandparent’s against their will?
– Do you feel sorry for the other children? Explain your answer.
– Why is the final line so funny?

Retrieve
– Which child is missing when Charlie first sees the other children?
– How many sweets does everyone get?
– How tall is Mike now?
– How has Augustus changed?
– What colour is Violet’s face?
– What present does Charlie get given at the end?
– Why is Charlie afraid his mother won’t come with him?
– What falls through the roof along with the elevator?

Summarise
– Describe how Charlie would feel at the end in one word.
– How would you feel if you were Charlie’s family?
– Sum up the story in 3 words.

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