The Time Machine by H.G. Wells is a fun story with plenty to explore within and beyond the text. There are at least two movie versions that can be compared for what historical events were included and the way they shape the future. The trope of a Time Machine is a common one in media today.
Here are some activities to use with teaching The Time Machine by H.G. Wells:
Movie vs. Book Comparison
Comparing a book with the movie adaptation is always a fun and challenging activity. The Time Machine has at least two movie versions (the 1960 and 2002 films being most well-known.) A good comparison activity may include several parts– observing differences and evaluating the differences.
Buy the Movie vs Book Comparison Activity with a Movie v. Book comparison table, a Best of Both Worlds worksheet, and two responses for evaluating the best version.
Movie Poster or Book Cover Projects
These are two great visual projects to work with the text. Students consider images or symbols from the text. The movie poster includes finding actors for the roles. The book cover includes a blurb to entice readers. Both look great on the wall or in a digital gallery.
Buy the Movie Poster or Book Cover Projects with instructions, teacher discussion guide information pages for movie poster and book covers, reflection worksheets.
Sequel Writing
The ending of The Time Machine leaves off with the Time Traveller having never returned from his second journey. Students can explore what happened to him and why he never returned. But also historical events or cultural changes that could be included.
Buy the Sequel Writing Activity with planning worksheets, student instructions, rubric, and options for either a Narrative or Graphic Novel/ Multimedia project.
Create a Literary Infographic
Infographic projects are fun visual projects that can still include many of the literary analysis concepts used in studying a story. Students retell and examine the text in the format of an infographic.
Buy the Create an Infographic Activity with Handouts on Infographics, plus an option for a literary infographic for the Time Machine as well as a character one focusing on the Time Traveller. Student instructions and rubrics included.
Alternate Ending Project
The ending of the Time Machine may feel a bit unresolved. Students might enjoy writing a different ending to the story. One that has the Time Traveller return, or even going further back, to save Weena. Students will choose a pivotal moment in the story and rewrite the ending from that point. An effective ending demonstrates their understanding of story structure. Consider if students should also match mood, tone, or diction of the original text, as appropriate.
Buy the Alternate Ending Project with student instructions, prewriting, and options for either a Narrative or a Graphic Novel project.
Alternate Point of View Writing
Taking an alternate point of view is a valuable activity for students. With reading the Time Machine, students can take Weena’s point of view. What’s her version of events when that strangely dressed Time Travellor shows up and changes her life? Students will consider what Weena will know and understand.
Buy the Alternate Point of View Project with student instructions, rubric, and prewriting worksheets.
Reading, Thinking, Quiz and Test Questions
Holding students accountable with reading can be a challenge. Reading questions can be completed during reading to assist in this process. As a bonus, the reading questions can serve as reference material for students working on projects. (This is Ms. Dickson’s favorite method of accountability).
Quiz questions can provide another type of accountability. These may be completed to ensure students are doing the reading as assigned. Tests might cover the entire book, providing a more objective grade point than projects. A combination of short answer and multiple choice questions can be used to assess student’s understanding and retention.
Buy the Reading, Thinking, Quiz and Test Questions. Questions are aligned with the two primary versions of the text. See image below for a brief overview of the differences. Also includes Critical Thinking questions with are short paragraph level concepts that can be built on with longer essays or projects, or stand alone as bite-sized responses to the text.
Actually, it was quite interesting exploring the different versions while ensuring the reading and quiz questions would align correctly.
The items listed in this post are sold in the money saving The Time Machine Activity Bundle PDF Great for building a unit with The Time Machine by H.G. Wells.