Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will understand key concepts in time travel, the importance of storytelling, and the scientific principles behind some of the technology seen in Doctor Who. They will also create their own short story inspired by the series, integrating these concepts.

Materials and Prep

• Paper and pencils for writing
• A timer (can use a phone or clock)
• Access to the internet for research (if possible)
• A list of Doctor Who episodes to reference (can be printed or written down)

Before the lesson, prepare a brief list of interesting Doctor Who facts and themes to discuss, such as time travel, friendship, and adventure. Familiarize yourself with some iconic episodes and characters to make the discussion more engaging.

Activities

• Time Travel Discussion: Start with a discussion about time travel. Ask the student what they think time travel is and if they believe it could be possible. Discuss how Doctor Who uses time travel in the series.
• Create Your Own Time Machine: Have the student design their own time machine. They can draw it and write a description of how it works. Encourage them to think about what time period they would like to visit and why.
• Story Creation: Prompt the student to write a short story featuring their own Doctor Who-inspired character. They should include a time travel element and a moral lesson. Set a timer for 30 minutes to encourage creativity.
• Episode Exploration: Choose a Doctor Who episode to watch together (if possible). Discuss the themes, characters, and the science behind any technology presented in the episode.

Talking Points

• "What do you think time travel means? Can you imagine going back to see dinosaurs or forward to see flying cars?"
• "Doctor Who often teaches us about friendship and courage. Can you think of a moment in the show that shows these values?"
• "Every time machine in Doctor Who has its own special features. If you could invent a time machine, what would it look like?"
• "In your story, what adventure will your character go on? What challenges will they face?"
• "Why do you think the Doctor helps people? What does that teach us about being kind and brave in our own lives?"