Count Spidula Comprehension and Deeper Thinking Activity

This is a comprehension activity to accompany Spid the Spider Meets Count Spidula for KS1 and K22 children. It also includes deeper-thinking extension activities on judging people fairly and staying safe.

In the story, Spid and the gang travel somewhere unfamiliar and meet Count Spidula, who behaves in strange and worrying ways. Although Count Spidula eventually turns out to be kind, the story gives us a chance to talk about two important lessons:

It is good to be kind and understanding — but it is also important to stay safe and sensible around strangers.

Children should learn:

• not to judge people unfairly
• but also not to ignore warning signs or unsafe behaviour

Guidance for Teachers and Parents

First, ask children should to read the story individually or as a group, and then to answer the comprehension questions. Start with questions 1-10 and then bring the group together to discuss their answers. Questions 10-15 are deeper thinking questions to challenge the children to think about issues and opportunities beyond the story.

📖 Comprehension Questions

Here are some start-point comprehension questions and answers:

1. What made Spid and the gang frightened of Count Spidula?
2. Did they judge him before getting to know him properly?
3. How do you think Count Spidula felt when nobody wanted to visit him anymore?
4. Have you ever misunderstood someone before getting to know them?
5. How can asking questions help us understand people better?
6. Why is kindness important when meeting new people?
7. What might have happened if Spid had never listened to Count Spidula?
8. How did Spid show empathy and understanding?
9. Why is it important not to judge people too quickly?
10. What can we do to help someone who feels lonely?

1. What made Spid and the gang frightened of Count Spidula?

Startpoint Answer

They were frightened because Count Spidula looked spooky, had pointy teeth, lived in a creepy castle and acted suspiciously.

• Count Spidula locked the door
• the soup seemed suspicious
• he acted mysteriously and in a controlling manner
• the gang felt uncomfortable and frightened

They felt unsafe and believed he might really be a dangerous vampire.

2. Did Spid and the gang judge Count Spidula before getting to know him properly?

Startpoint Answer

Yes. They decided he was scary and dangerous before understanding why he behaved the way he did.

3. How do you think Count Spidula felt when nobody wanted to visit him anymore?

Startpoint Answer

He probably felt lonely, sad and unwanted. He may also have felt misunderstood because people were frightened of him.

4. Why did Count Spidula pretend to be frightening?

Startpoint Answer

He thought people expected a spooky vampire experience at his castle. He wanted visitors to have an exciting holiday adventure.

5. What changed Spid’s opinion of Count Spidula?

Startpoint Answer

Spid heard Count Spidula crying and discovered that he was actually lonely and wanted friends. This helped Spid understand him better.

6. How did Spid show empathy and understanding?

Startpoint Answer

Spid listened carefully, thought about how Count Spidula was feeling and tried to help him instead of running away forever.

7. What might have happened if Spid had never listened to Count Spidula?

Startpoint Answer

Count Spidula might have stayed lonely and unhappy. Spid and the gang would never have discovered that he was actually kind.

8. Why is it important not to judge people too quickly?

Startpoint Answer

Because first impressions can sometimes be wrong. People may seem different, shy or strange at first, but they may actually be kind and friendly once you get to know them.

9. How can asking questions help us understand people better?

Startpoint Answer

Questions help us learn about people’s feelings, interests and experiences. Listening carefully helps build trust and friendship.

10. What can we do to help someone who feels lonely?

Startpoint Answer

We can include them, talk to them kindly, invite them to join in, listen to them and show understanding.

🧠 Deeper Thinking Challenge

“People are not always what they seem.”

11. What do you think this means?

Talk about:

• first impressions
• judging by appearance
• understanding feelings
• showing empathy
• giving people a chance

12. How can we better understand and build relationships with other people?

Talk about:

• asking questions
• good listening
• kindness
• patience
• honesty
• encouragement

13. What might be danger signs when meeting strangers?

Possible Danger Signs

A stranger might:

• ask you to go somewhere alone
• tell you to keep secrets from parents or teachers
• make you feel uncomfortable or frightened
• try to pressure or trick you
• offer gifts to persuade you
• invade your personal space
• become angry if you say “no”
• ask for personal information
• behave unpredictably
• try to separate you from your friends or family
• ask you to turn your phone off or disable your GPS
• make you feel uncomfortable

14. Why is it important to trust your feelings if something feels wrong?

Startpoint Answer

Sometimes our feelings warn us that a situation may not be safe. If something feels worrying or uncomfortable, we should take it seriously and tell a trusted adult.

15. What should you do if a stranger makes you feel unsafe?

Startpoint Answer

You should:

• move away
• stay with trusted people
• say “no” clearly if needed
• tell a trusted adult, parent, friend or teacher quickly
• seek help quickly
• stay in a public space
• never go somewhere alone with the stranger

⭐ Important Life Lesson

It is possible to:

• be kind
  AND
• stay safe

So we should:

• give people a chance
• avoid judging unfairly
  BUT ALSO
• notice warning signs
• trust trusted adults
• listen to our feelings
• make safe choices

🛡️ Safety Rules for Children to Remember

• Trust your feelings
• Stay with trusted people
• Ask for help if worried
• Never keep unsafe secrets
• Tell a trusted adult
• Be kind — but stay safe too!

In the story, Spid learned to understand Count Spidula better — but the gang also did the right thing by staying alert and looking after one another.