Do you want to captivate and engage your students in a story with powerful lessons? Then, open the world of Roald Dahl’s The Magic Finger!
This timeless classic has remained popular since its original publication in 1966, delighting millions of children as they explore themes of empathy, moral courage, and understanding.
As teachers scramble to plan for virtual teaching, this is an ideal opportunity to expose your classroom to this powerful story — but how do you ensure it’s done effectively and engagingly?
With our step-by-step planning overview on The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl available here, you can go from zero to hero in no time – so let us show you the way!
Related: For more, check out our article on Voices In The Park by Anthony Browne here.

The Storyline of The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl
An unnamed 8-year-old girl with a mysterious power lives on a rural farm in the English countryside.
This magical ability is known as the Magic Finger, and when she gets angry, this finger will shoot out electric energy that affects the person who angered her in strange ways.
One day, Mr Gregg and his two sons return home from a hunt with a deer they had killed, causing outrage from the 8-year-old. In a rage, she puts the Magic finger on them, turning them into bird-sized creatures with wings instead of arms.
The Greggs are forced to build a nest in an old tree for the night, which is soon taken over by four human-sized ducks with human hands and arms.
Three ducks held hunting guns the following day while Mrs Gregg tried to persuade them not to shoot their family.
After destroying all three guns, they were returned to their former selves by Magic and changed their surname to Egg to show they were done hunting animals.
As Philip and William tell her their story, gunfire can be heard in the distance, and we catch one last glimpse at our protagonist as she runs towards it – ready for whatever consequences await her next!
Key Themes in The Magic Finger
Power of the Unnamed 8-Year-Old Girl
The unnamed 8-year-old girl holds a mysterious power known as the Magic Finger.
When she gets angry, this finger shoots out energy that affects whoever angered her in strange ways, demonstrating her immense power early on in the story.
Transformation of the Gregg Family
The Gregg family is transformed into bird-like creatures, reflecting their change and commitment to never hunting animals again.
After destroying all guns and declaring never to hurt any creature, they are returned to their former selves by Magic and change their surname to Egg as a sign of their reformed ways.
Consequences of Actions
The story explores consequences through the characters’ choices and behaviours, with positive and negative results.
For example, when Mr Gregg destroys all three guns after declaring never to hurt another creature, his family transforms into humans.
On the other hand, when the Greggs initially killed and made fun of wildlife without thinking, they were temporarily turned into birds by the 8-year-old girl.
Innocence in Nature
Innocence is pervasive throughout this story – from the 8-year-old girl with no control over her magical powers to how Mrs Gregg destroyed an egg she was cooking for breakfast without realising what it represented (the six ducklings shot by her sons).
Despite these moments of naivety, however, there is still beauty within nature’s innocence which is evident in how both Philip & William care for wildlife during their time as birds.

Key Characters in The Magic Finger
The Unnamed 8-Year-Old Girl
The unnamed 8-year-old girl is the protagonist of this story. She holds a mysterious power known as the Magic Finger, which she has no control over, and whenever she gets angry, this finger will shoot out energy that affects whoever angered her in strange ways.
Mr & Mrs Gregg
Mr and Mrs Gregg are neighbours to the 8-year-old girl, living on a remote rural farm in the English countryside with their two sons, Philip and William.
With a strong passion for hunting animals and birds, their lives take an unexpected twist when they find themselves temporarily turned into bird-like creatures due to being affected by the 8-year-old girl’s magical powers.
Philip & William Gregg
Philip and William are the two sons of Mr & Mrs Gregg. Both aged 8 and 11, respectively, return home from a hunt one day with a deer they had killed – sparking an outraged reaction from our protagonist, transforming them into bird-like creatures with her magic finger.
Despite this, however, both boys still show kindness towards wildlife during their time as birds and remorse for their wrongdoings.
The Ducks
Four human-sized ducks are also featured in this story who occupy the Greggs’ house after they have been transformed.
Three of these ducks carry guns while trying to protect their nest (which was built on top of where six ducklings were shot by Philip & William), while the fourth duck taunts Mr & Mrs Gregg about their fondness for hunting animals.
This irony provides further insight into how consequences can manifest from one’s actions and behaviours.
Teaching Opportunities from The Magic Finger
Consequences of Actions
This story provides an excellent opportunity to explore the concept of consequences through the characters’ choices and behaviours.
Both positive and negative results are demonstrated throughout the story, from when Mr Gregg destroys all guns and makes an oath never to hurt any creature, leading to his family’s transformation back into humans, to the initial moment of killing and making fun of wildlife which resulted in them being temporarily turned into birds by the 8-year-old girl.
Power Dynamics
Power dynamics are explored in this story which can provide an exciting learning opportunity for students.
Through her mysterious magical power, the unnamed 8-year-old girl demonstrates her immense control over those around her while also capturing a sense of helplessness due to having no control over her finger.
Innocence & Nature
Innocence and nature are pervasive throughout this story, providing various teaching opportunities, such as exploring how innocent moments still contain beauty even within naivety (e.g. Mrs Gregg destroying an egg she was cooking for breakfast without realising what it represented). Other ideas, such as respecting animals despite our differences, could also be discussed.

Lesson Plans
Lesson Plan 1 – Consequences of Actions
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, students will understand that their actions and behaviours can lead to positive and negative consequences and will be able to provide examples.
Introduction:
Introduce the students to The Magic Finger, providing a brief synopsis of the story’s events.
Main Teaching Points:
Ask the students whether they think all consequences for our actions are constantly harmful or destructive.
Discuss with them why this might not always be the case – for example, Mr Gregg’s decision to destroy his guns resulted in his family’s transformation into humans.
Pose questions such as ‘What would happen if he kept his guns?’. During the discussion, encourage critical thinking and questioning by giving them scenarios in which they must work out likely results from different choices.
Adaptations for Students Working Below Level:
For those working below level, use visual aids, e.g. flow charts/diagrams, to help demonstrate how different decisions can result in different outcomes.
Provide shorter scenarios with more obvious conclusions so students can easily understand the concept without getting overwhelmed by too much information or having to come up with more complex responses.
Adaptations for Students Working Above Level:
For those working above the level, provide more extended scenarios with multiple solutions and allow them to discuss which solution is most effective or appropriate given the circumstance/situation presented.
Allow them time to develop creative ideas about how one action may result in various outcomes, encouraging group discussions or debates where possible.
Reflection:
To finish this lesson, ask the students whether there are any situations from their own lives when they’ve experienced a consequence of their own decisions or behaviours (positive or negative).
Give them time for self-reflection and discussion before summarising the session by summarising what has been learned during this lesson about consequences and behaviour changes over time due to experience/learning/etc.
Lesson Plan 2 – Power Dynamics
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, students will understand power dynamics and how they exist in society and will be able to identify different types of power structures.
Introduction:
Introduce the students to power dynamics by exploring their existence in The Magic Finger, providing examples such as the unnamed 8-year-old girl’s mysterious magical power.
Main Teaching Points:
Discuss with students what it means to have ‘power’ over someone or something. Have them brainstorm examples of different types of power: authoritative, financial, social media influence etc. Identify which type(s) feature in The Magic Finger story.
Ask the students to think about why certain people/institutions hold more power than others and how this could affect their lives.
Connect this back to their experiences – do they think these kinds of power dynamics exist in their community? Encourage debates/discussions where possible based on questions you pose.
Adaptations for Students Working Below Level:
Provide simple scenarios for those working below level so they can easily comprehend the concept without getting overwhelmed by too much information or having to develop complex solutions.
Also, provide visual aids such as diagrams/charts or role-plays to give them a clearer understanding.
Adaptations for Students Working Above Level:
For those working above the level, create more extended scenarios with multiple solutions and allow them time to develop creative ideas about how one action may result in various outcomes, encouraging group discussions or debates where possible.
Invite experts from outside the class (if available) who can provide real-life examples for further insight into power dynamics if needed.
Reflection:
To conclude this lesson, ask each student whether there is anything they feel powerless over and encourage discussion/sharing amongst the class if possible (only if comfortable).
Allow some time for self-reflection before summarising what has been learned during this lesson about power dynamics and how they affect our daily lives.
List of 10 Books with Similar Themes to Roald Dahl
- Fantastic Mr Fox – Roald Dahl
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Roald Dahl
- The Witches – Roald Dahl
- Matilda – Roald Dahl
- James and the Giant Peach – Roald Dahl
- Danny, the Champion of the World – Roald Dahl
- The BFG – Roald Dahl
- Esio Trot – Roald Dahl
- The Twits–Roald Dahl
- George’s Marvellous Medicine -Roald Dahl
Website Resources
The first page is Tes, which offers a comprehensive guided reading worksheet for Year 3 and 4 pupils.
The worksheet includes activities to help students understand the story better, such as differentiating between language features, making inferences and exploring authorial intent.
The second page is Teacher of Primary, which provides various teaching resources ranging from worksheets to PowerPoints to help explore the text further in the classroom setting.
Finally, the third page is [Teaching Ideas](https://www.teachingideas.co.uk/library/books/the-magic

Our comprehensive and meticulously designed step-by-step planning overview on ‘The Magic Finger’ by Roald Dahl is your ultimate roadmap to successfully bringing this enchanting tale to life in your virtual classroom.
This guide is more than just an overview; it is a strategic tool that equips you with an in-depth understanding of the book’s core themes, characters, and narrative structure.
It also provides practical, easy-to-follow strategies for engaging your students in this timeless story of empathy, moral courage, and understanding.
Whether you’re an educator under pressure to plan digital lessons, a parent seeking to foster a love for reading at home or a student fascinated by Dahl’s magical world, this guide is your trusted ally.
So why hesitate? Let’s dive into this literary adventure together and discover the captivating magic within the pages of ‘The Magic Finger’!
FAQs
Who is this step-by-step planning overview designed for?
This guide is intended for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of ‘The Magic Finger’ by Roald Dahl, including educators, parents, and students.
What areas does the planning overview cover?
The planning overview covers a range of topics, including the book’s key themes, characters, and narrative structure. It also offers practical strategies for engaging exploration of these elements.
How will this guide enhance my understanding of Dahl’s storytelling style?
Our guide provides expert insights into Dahl’s unique storytelling style, helping you understand and appreciate the narrative techniques he uses to create his magical worlds.
Can I use this guide for lesson planning or to encourage reading at home?
Absolutely! This guide is an invaluable resource for teachers planning lessons on ‘The Magic Finger’ and parents wanting to encourage reading at home.
Where can I access the step-by-step planning overview?
The planning overview can be accessed here. Simply click on the link to embark on your journey into the magical world of ‘The Magic Finger’ by Roald Dahl.