Lesson Plan - The Myths & Legends of Dartmoor
Elective Home Education (EHE) offers the flexibility to tailor lessons to your child’s interests, pace, and learning style. Our lesson plans are designed to support this approach, providing structured yet adaptable resources you can use at home. Each plan includes a mix of reading, discussion, creative tasks, and extension ideas, giving you the freedom to explore topics in depth or keep things light, depending on your child’s needs on the day.
These lesson plans should be used as a guide to get things started, not a strict curriculum. One of the great things about home education is that parents and carers can follow their child’s interests and adapt learning to suit their style. If a particular topic sparks curiosity—follow it! Use these plans to inspire, not constrain, and feel free to skip, expand, or replace sections based on what works best for your learner.
This topic is part of our Info Zone collection. You can read the full topic, once logged in, here: The Myths & Legends of Dartmoor.
You’ll also find a full Lesson Plan and a handy Parent Q & A sheet, for this topic, ready to use..
| The Myths & Legends of Dartmoor | |
|---|---|
| Overview | This lesson introduces learners to the fascinating myths and legends of Dartmoor, including ghostly hounds, mysterious pixies, ancient stone circles, and haunted villages. |
| Learning Objectives |
- Recognise the main myths and legends linked to Dartmoor - Understand how these stories are connected to Dartmoor’s landscape and history - Reflect on the meanings behind these legends and their impact on local culture |
| Estimated Time | 60–90 minutes |
| Starter Activity |
Discuss: "Why do you think people tell scary or magical stories about places?" Look up pictures of Dartmoor and its tors (large stone hills). What do you notice about the landscape? Could you imagine stories taking place there? |
| Read and Learn |
Read the article The Myths & Legends of Dartmoor together or independently. Then discuss:
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| Activities |
Comprehension Questions:
Creative Writing: Write your own legend about Dartmoor. Imagine you meet a strange creature, hear a spooky sound, or find a mysterious stone circle. What happens next? Describe the setting using your senses. Art Activity: Draw a scene from one of Dartmoor’s legends, such as the Whisht Hounds running across the moor or Bowerman turned to stone. |
| Deeper Thinking |
Big Question: "Why do you think people still tell these stories today, even though they may not be true?" Discuss with your parent or carer. Can you think of reasons why legends are passed down through generations? |
| Creative Projects |
- Make a mini guidebook for visitors to Dartmoor including at least three of its legends - Create a 3D model or diorama (small model scene) of Dartmoor showing a location from a legend - Write a poem about the mysterious fog or the ghostly hounds |
| Review & Reflect |
Ask the learner:
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| Extensions & Homework |
- Research another British legend (e.g., King Arthur, the Loch Ness Monster) and compare it to a Dartmoor legend - Write a short story set on Dartmoor using what you learned - Watch a documentary or video about Dartmoor’s landscapes and wildlife |