The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Analyze a Song and Rewrite the Lyrics”

Students will analyze and discuss the lyrics of a song relevant to the theme of Accomplishing Goals and Overcoming Obstacles, then rewrite them with Christopher’s goal of taking the A level as the specific focus.  

Christopher is at one of his lowest points when it seems that he has lost his chance to take the A level exam in mathematics. Even when he can take the exams, his troubles are not over because he is anxious and exhausted.

• Find a song that you believe provides advice applicable to Christopher’s concerns about taking his exams and write an analysis of the lyrics (approx. 300 words).
• Share your analyses in small groups and discuss the similarities and differences in the advice identified by members of the group.
• As a group, choose one of the songs and rewrite the lyrics to make them more specific to Christopher’s situation. Present your rewritten lyrics to the class in whatever format you agree on as a group. For example, you might sing them to the tune of the original song or use them as dialogue in an improvised sketch.

Teaching Suggestion: Students may benefit from a teacher model of the activity using an appropriate song.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who might benefit from an interpersonal learning activity might instead write an encouraging letter to Christopher from the perspective of one of the major characters in the book who intends for Christopher to read the letter right before taking the test. To expand on the activity, students could add a response written from Christopher’s point of view after taking the exam.