In 1968, a children's book by British Poet Laureate Ted Hughes (1930-1998) was published-its title in the UK was The Iron Man and in the United States, The Iron Giant. The story of a huge robot and its friendship with a young boy grew out of a story told by Hughes to comfort his and American poet Sylvia Plat's (1932-1963) two children following their mothers death. The following activities have been selected with national and state learning outcomes in mind, across the key learning areas of English, Studies of Society and Environment, Health and Physical education, the Arts and technology. Secondary teachers are encouraged to select and modify activities according to the needs of their students.