Do you ever feel like taking a break from reality and travelling to the past? If so, Ross Welford’s Time Travelling with a Hamster may be just the escape you need! This heart-warming time travel novel follows Alfie Edison, an 11-year-old who takes an unexpected journey 200 years into the past.
But before launching into this adventure of a lifetime, let’s first look at what makes time Travelling with a Hamster such a fantastic looking forward to planning tool for teachers.
From high-appeal activities encouraging participation and response to skill-building projects that should challenge even the most advanced young readers, discover why this book is perfect for exploring literature in any classroom!
Related: For more, check out our planning overview on The Hobbit here.
The Storyline of Time Traveling With a Hamster
Time Travelling with a Hamster follows the story of twelve-year-old Alvin Hooper as he uses his grandad’s particular time-travelling device to return to 1982. When he arrives, he meets his younger self, who has just lost his pet hamster, Socks.
To save Socks from certain death, Alvin and his younger self must travel back in time one more time to correct past mistakes and prevent disaster in their futures.
Along the way, they meet various characters that teach them important lessons about friendship and courage. Ultimately, Alvin must decide between preserving the future or protecting the present.
The story culminates as Alvin, and his younger self travel back in time again to save Socks and set things right. They learn the power of friendship and teamwork by confronting obstacles such as bullies and runaway bulldozers—ultimately keeping the day!
Key Themes in Time Travelling With a Hamster
Friendship
The importance of friendship is one of the central themes in the book. It is highlighted through Alvin’s relationship with his younger self and his newfound company with characters such as Wilson, who teach him lessons about trust, loyalty, and compassion.
Courage
Alvin has to confront both physical obstacles and emotional difficulties on his journey. He learns to be brave and face these challenges head-on, helping him overcome adversity.
Sacrifice
Alvin must decide between preserving the future or protecting the present. His willingness to make sacrifices for the greater good teaches us valuable lessons about selflessness and puts his courage to the test.
Key Characters in Time Travelling With a Hamster
Alvin Hooper
The story’s protagonist, Alvin, is a twelve-year-old who travels through time with his younger self to save the future. He learns the importance of friendship and courage through his experiences and ultimately discovers the power of selflessness by making difficult choices for the greater good.
Socks
Alvin’s beloved pet hamster. He is a significant motivation for Alvin and his younger self to go back in time to try and save him from certain death. His unconditional love brings out the best qualities in all those he meets throughout the story.
Wilson
An older man who befriends both Alvins during their journey. A driving force behind Alvin’s development, Wilson teaches him important lessons about trust, loyalty, and compassion that shape the outcome of their adventures.
The Importance of Friendship in Time Travelling With a Hamster
Friendship is one of the central themes in Ross Welford’s ‘Time Travelling With a Hamster’. It is first highlighted through Alvin’s relationship with his younger self and their journey together to save the future.
Through this experience, Alvin learns important lessons about trust, loyalty and compassion that help him to grow and develop.
He also makes new friendships with characters such as Wilson, an older man who serves as a mentor figure for both Alvins and teaches them how to rely on each other during tough times.
Ultimately, friendship plays an integral role throughout the book by teaching valuable life lessons that stay with Alvin long after his time travelling adventures are over.
How Alvin’s Relationship with His Younger Self Impacts the Story
Alvin’s relationship with his younger self is a vital driving force in the story of ‘Time Travelling With a Hamster’. It allows Alvin to learn important lessons about trust, loyalty, and compassion that help him grow and develop. Their bond inspires other characters like Wilson to open up and share their experiences.
Through their journey together, both Alvins are reminded of how powerful friendship can be and how it can help them face even the toughest challenges. Ultimately, this relationship allows Alvin to discover the power of selflessness and sacrifice for the greater good.
Learning Opportunities From ‘Time Travelling With a Hamster’ for Teachers
- The importance of trust and loyalty in friendships
- How compassion and understanding can help us heal from difficult situations
- The power of selflessness and sacrifice for the greater good
- Taking responsibility for our actions, even when it’s daunting
- Using our resources wisely and making wise decisions
- Appreciating the beauty and value of old-fashioned traditions
- Understanding how individual choices can affect our broader communities
Lesson Plans
Objective:
Students will learn why trust and loyalty are essential in friendships.
Introduction:
Share the story of Time Travelling With a Hamster to introduce the concept of trust and loyalty. Discuss how Alvin and his younger self rely on each other throughout their journey, despite difficult times.
Main Teaching Points:
- Explain why trust is essential to friendship or any relationship, outlining specific examples from the story.
- Highlight the importance of being trustworthy and loyal. Emphasize how it can lead to stronger relationships with others.
- Provide examples of how betrayal can hurt relationships.
- Discuss how we must actively create trusting relationships for them to be meaningful, successful, and long-lasting.
Key Questions:
- What does it mean to be trustworthy and loyal?
- Why is it essential for us to build trusting relationships?
- What can we do if someone breaks our trust?
Reflection:
Ask students to consider their relationships and evaluate how much trust and loyalty exists between themselves and their friends, family, or peers. Please encourage them to think about what they can do personally to strengthen these relationships in meaningful ways.
Lesson Plan 2
Objective:
Students will learn how compassion and understanding can help us heal from difficult situations.
Introduction:
Share the story of Time Travelling With a Hamster to introduce the concept of compassion and understanding. Discuss how Alvin’s younger self can take charge, even in the face of uncertainty, because he understands what his older self is going through.
Main Teaching Points:
- Explain why compassion and understanding are essential for healing, outlining specific examples from the story.
- Highlight how even small acts of kindness can make a big difference during a difficult time.
- Provide examples of how a lack of understanding can lead to further pain or isolation in distress.
- Discuss how we need to actively strive for greater connection and empathy with others to heal during challenging times.
Key Questions:
- What does it mean to be compassionate and understanding?
- Why is it essential for us to show love and support during challenging moments?
- Are there any risks involved when we offer our comfort or performance?
Reflection:
Ask students to think about their experiences dealing with hardship or demanding times and evaluate if they felt comforted by someone else’s compassion or understanding. Please encourage them to consider what they could have done differently in those moments to create lasting change and healing within themselves and their communities.
Summary of Resources
Time Travelling With a Hamster (Teacher’s Hub): This page offers lesson plans and activities based on the book Time Travelling With a Hamster by Ross Welford. The website provides Teachers’ Notes, film resources, discussion and writing activities for literacy, and drama exercises. It also includes an essay on empathy and suggests ideas for further study Link.
Time Travelling With a Hamster (Scholastic): This page provides teachers with a complete guide to the book, which includes an introduction to the characters, a discussion about themes of loyalty, trust and understanding, and study questions and answers for each chapter. Link
Time Travelling with a Hamster (TES): TES offers a booklet that guides teaching students aged 10 to 13 about the key themes of Time Traveling With A Hamster, such as life lessons, family loyalty and time travel paradoxes. The booklet also includes worksheets with thought-provoking questions and activities related to these themes. Link
