"Can we read it again tomorrow? Please!"Success! Anytime my kids leave a book searching for more, I know that our reading has been effective.
(Caution: Extraordinarily long post.
If you aren't a teacher and you are reading my blog just cuz' you love me,
feel free to ignore everything below.
It is long enough to make your eyes bleed.)
The kids' book group studied "The Door in the Wall" by Marguerite D'Angeli this summer. A fictional tale set in the middle ages, this was a different kind of
story for my little ones. Metaphorical and heavy with classic european dialect, it was certainly a stretch for young readers, but the historical setting made it very approachable and fun. Below is the (slightly messy, grammatically incorrect, and poorly organized) outline of fun activities, lesson ideas, and field trips that I came up with. It is certainly not pretty, but it is chock-full of ideas, games, crafts, and links that we enjoyed.
“The Door in the Wall”
by Marguerite de Angeli
10 week Summer Literature Adventure Group
book available free online at
http://gyanpedia.in/tft/Resources/books/doorwall.pdf
Lego castle kits: 7948 and 7946 Kingdoms series.
Feel free to print the memory verse cards, timeline figures, etc.
- just double click on the icon then hit print.
Week 1 HERALDRY & SYMBOLISM
At Home -
Examine the cover & predict what the book may be about
Look at vocabulary & memory verse (wk 1-5 = Mt. 7:7)
Read Chapter 1
Discuss Robin’s attitude & Create your own thankfulness list
Watch beginning of “Newsies” (example of church helping the poor)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KelP211VomY
Listen to cockney accent
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijr9lU2J2Wk&feature=player_embedded
Begin Lego castle - 7948 bag 2 (tower) - plus 2 people for Robin & Luke
Group Discussion -
Memory verse review & prayer
Discuss Se
tting = England (London & Thames river)
map of medieval england at http://files.homeschoolshare.com/docs54478/robin_hood/01%20Medieval%20Britain%20Map.pdf
locate on map & compare to US - locate London & Thames River
place Edward III on timeline 1312-1377
play heraldry game online at
http://www.yourchildlearns.com/heraldrygame/index.html
Diagram Robin’s attitude (p 22 “novel unit”)
Symbols: heart = love, flag = country, door in the wall = opportunity
view coat of arms artifacts (in use) online at http://www.tudorbritain.org/joust/heraldry.asp
Group Activity -
England lapbook elements at
http://files.homeschoolshare.com/docs54478/knights_pk/map_shutterfold.pdf
Read “Harold the Herald: A book about Heraldry” by Dana Fradon
Read shield section of Treasure Chest
Create own Coat of Arms (symbol for a family)
Template on SOTW2 AG p72
heraldry lapbook element at
http://files.homeschoolshare.com/docs54478/knight3/heraldry.pdf
create coat of arms online at this site http://www.vam.ac.uk/vastatic/microsites/british_galleries/designa/coat_of_arms/coat_of_arms.html
Week 2 - PLAGUE
At Home -
Look at vocabulary & memory verse
Read Chapter 2
Listen to Story of the World 2 ch25 (the plague)
Listen to Story of the World 2 ch 37
Compare kinds of wood
Begin small carving project using plastic ware & soap if not ready for knives & wood yet
Continue Lego castle - 7946 bag 2 (drawbridge & portcullis)
Group Discussion -
Memory verse review & prayer
Surnames & name meanings
Plague video at http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/12188-the-medieval-era-europes-bubonic-plague-video.htm
Medicinal use of herbs
Bookmaking (v. briefly - ctd. next week)
Chanting
Group Activity -
Memory verse review & prayer
Read “The Plague and Medicine in the Middle Ages”
by Fiona MacDonald
Make edible poltice & other “medicines” (Story of the World 2 AB p.223)
Myo. “Ward off the Plague” necklace
Begin making parchment for next week. Directions at http://www.allsands.com/home/crafts/papermakingcra_azk_gn.htm
Listen to chanting “Chant Wars” or “Medieval Monks & Trubadors”
Plague craft (Story of the World 2 AB p.25)
plague cycle p 147 student p 104 on cardstock
“find the fleas” game (raisins in eggs)
lapbook element at http://files.homeschoolshare.com/docs54478/robin_hood/14%20healing%20tab%20book.pdf
Week 3 - BOOKMAKING
At Home -
Look at vocabulary & memory verse
Read Chapter 3
Listen to Story of the World 2 ch3
Dictate a letter using correct format
Continue Lego castle - 7946 bag 3
Group Discussion -
Read “Marguerite Makes a Book” by Bruce Robertson
“Make Your Own Book” kit by Matthew Liddle
Memory verse review & prayer
Patience & Anger (Ecc 7:8-9)
Bookmaking -
Watch bookmaking video
(3min)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKBJkf2xbqI
also:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldVk6ZhFmhQ&feature=related
photos of process at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhQ8Um221Eo&feature=related
Group Activity -
Make quills from turkey feathers
Make brown and blue ink (Story of the World 2 AB p14)
Write Robin’s daily schedule on parchment using quills & ink
Illumination activity p 13 or 144 - copy poem p 199
Week 4 - MONKS & RELIGION
At Home -
Look at vocabulary & memory verse
Read Chapter 4
Listen to SOTW2 ch 3 (monks)& 18(crusades)
Continue carving project & ask kids to consider giving it as a gift
Continue Lego castle - 7946 bag 1 (people)
Group Discussion -
Read “Sir Gwain and the Green Knight” by Michael Morpurgo
“A Medieval Cathedral” by Fiona MacDonald
“A Medieval Monk” by Giovanni Casell
Memory verse review & prayer
Guilds & craftsmen - feudal system
Monks - Making History - hard life of monks video
Church - http://www.youtube.com/user/MrZoller#p/u/8/tdA8DMISJ1o
Edward III - info at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_III_of_England
History of Romans in Britain (Hadrian’s Wall)
Map Holy Land
Group Activity -
Use legos to set up feudal town
servants game (Story of the World 2 AB ch.16 also p.137)
Vow of silence
Sew robe (McCalls pattern 2854 view F)
Make clay Cross necklace
Select topics for presentation at next meeting - “what do you wonder about” “what is the best part” “are you curious about something in this book?”
Outing -
go fishing
Week 5 - THE ARTS
At Home -
Look at vocabulary & memory verse
Read Chapter 5
listen to medieval instruments online at http://www.music.iastate.edu/antiqua/instrumt.html
experiment with recorders & medieval songs
listen to songs and study types of medieval music at http://www.empire.k12.ca.us/capistrano/mike/capmusic/medieval/medieval.htm
Continue Lego castle - 7946 bag 4
research disabled athletes (or better, volunteer w special olympics)
Group Discussion -
Memory verse review & prayer
AUTHOR/illustrator, her choices, her research
Research the author using http://www.deangeli.lapeer.org/lessons/webquest/index.htm and
http://www.deangeli.lapeer.org/Books/Door_in_the_Wall.html
Chanting & Medieval Music
hunger
Activity -
Listen to “Love a garland is” and “Lament of a Lass”
Write a poem about medieval times and sing it to “green sleeves”
music available online at http://www.empire.k12.ca.us/capistrano/mike/capmusic/renaissance/renaissa.htm
Create sketches in the same style as the author/illustrator
view illustration at http://newberryproject.blogspot.com/2008/06/door-in-wall.html
Drawing instruction (start at minute 5)- part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OwezLgGvaI&feature=watch_response_rev
part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_6BFf1-xeA&NR=1
(if have more time, the entire series is excellent!)
Outing -
go on a hike with lunch/snack “food tastes particularly good”
Week 6 - CRUSADES/KNIGHTS
At Home -
Look at vocabulary & memory verse (wk 6-10 Revelation 3:20)
Read Chapter 6
Discuss choices “novel units” p 25
Write diary entry about the men at White Hart from Robin’s point of view
view knights armor at http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/knights/title.html
dress knight online at http://www.ictgames.com/knightinarmour.html
read about the crusades at http://jeru.huji.ac.il/ef1.htm
Listen to Story of the World 2 ch 17
Continue Lego castle - 7946 bag 5
Group Discussion -
Read “You Wouldn’t Want to Live in a Medieval Castle!”
by Jacqueline Morley AND/OR
“You Wouldn’t Want to Be a medieval Knight” by Fiona MacDonald
“Lift the Lid on Knights” activity box by Straum Reid
“The Making of Knight” (paige - knighthood) by Patrick O’Brien
“Sir Cumference and the 1st Round Table” by Cindy Neuschwander
“Knights: usborne internet linked” by Rachel Firth
Memory verse review & prayer
Bravery
Psalm 121:5-8
Were the English really the “good guys?” - Welsh vs. Scottish
Would you want to live in the middle ages? (p. 3&4 “novel units”)
watch crusade origins at:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ae8GSOUjOYw or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu2UG2IRu0o
best one for the very young - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgVDGdexXvY&feature=related
Activity-
Crusades page (Story of the World 2 AB ch.18)
Knights (Story of the World 2 AB p.17)
myo golden spurs p 99
Week 7 - ENTERTAINMENT / FAIR
At Home -
Look at vocabulary & memory verse
Read Chapter 7
Lapbook elements - horses
jousting game online at http://www.tudorbritain.org/joust/index.asp
read about jousting at http://www.nationaljousting.com/howto/learnto.htm
Continue Lego castle - 7946 bag 6
Group Discussion -
Memory verse review & prayer
Watch Punch & Judy video - this one is clean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCGcIwCSCjg
Contrast the friendly welcome to the castle by Sir Peter
with the behavior of Punch
Romans 12:4-8 “place in this world”
1 Cor 12:14 - 26
Group Activity -
Make puppets
Make foam swords & spears & pretend to host a jousting tournament
illustrate interior castle rooms
Week 8 - CASTLES
At Home -
Look at vocabulary & memory verse
Read Chapter 8
Read Story of the World 2 ch16
Continue Lego castle - 7946 bag 7
Group Discussion -
Memory verse review & prayer
Read “Castle” by David Macaulay
“A 3 Dimensional Medieval Castle” by William Tong
“Castle Diary: The Journal of Tobias Burgess, Paige” by Richard Platt
discuss “crooked legs vs. crooked spirit”
discuss why the townspeople ran to the castle - protection
Listen to: “My Brother, The Knight” -Tumble Book audio
Castle Terminology: http://www.castlewales.com/casterms.html Pick one area to focus on (we chose the keep)
Photos of Castles: http://www.electric-image.co.uk/castles.html
Label a Real Castle: http://www.heritageexplorer.org.uk/web/he/interactivesdetail.aspx?crit=&ctid=68&id=1216
Bake a Bannock - http://www.dltk-kids.com/recipesdb/view.asp?rid=35
Watch NOVA Building a Trebuchet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9lhcjupnzk&feature=related
Group Activity -
Build a simplified catapult
http://www.e-scoutcraft.com/moving/catapult.htm
Fog experiment
continue illustrating castle -
keep, tower, turret, dungeon, bailey, moat, portcullis, drawbridge, gatehouse, inner wart, outer ward, courtyard
Build castle out of edible marshmallow clay (or cereal treats)
Outing - swimming
Week 9 - SIEGE
At Home -
Look at vocabulary & memory verse
Read Chapter 9
reinact the battle of hastings online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/normans/launch_gms_battle_hastings.shtml
build catapult online at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lostempires/trebuchet/destroy.html
Continue Lego castle - 7948 bag 1 (catapult)
Group Discussion -
Memory verse review & prayer
Read “Siege! Can you Capture a Castle?” by Julia Bruce
what is a siege?
Hardships & Trials change us
Jeremiah 29:11
Romans 8:28
James 1:3, 4, 12
Romans 5:3
Group Activity -
Plan Medieval Feast menu for next week
Plan entertainment for feast
Week 10 - FEAST
At Home -
Look at vocabulary & memory verse
Read Chapter 10
Lapbook phases of the moon
Label British isles
Finish Lego castle - 7946 bag 8
Group Discussion -
Memory verse review & prayer
Read “A Medieval Feast” by Aliki
Discuss significance of “the door in the wall”
Discuss symbolism of bells
Discuss how the story would have been different if Robin was a girl
Write the next chapter - what will Robin do next?
Make timeline for the book
Group Activity -
Watch “Castle” PBS DVD by David Macaulay
Enjoy Medieval Feast (recipes p 15 of SOTW2 AG)
Lentil Soup
Crusty Bread
Cheddar Cheese
Apples & Pears
Bannock
Apple Cider
Outing -
picnic on grounds of local “castle” (We happen to be near several, but an imposing library or university building would do)
Phew . . . not done yet. Below is the vocabulary list for The Door in the Wall. It is daunting. I chose only a few each week and allowed the rest to just roll on by. The kids understand most words by hearing them in context. Oh, you will notice that the list is in varying degrees of completion. That is because it is cobbled together from many, many, many sources. My original intention was to fill in all the blanks, but it got the best of me. For what it is worth, here is the list:
Chapter 1
coverlet (7) - bedspread; outer covering for a bed
Nones (7) - a religious service said at 3:00 p.m.
clamoring (7) - a loud noise
vexation (7) - annoyance
gentil (7) - well-bred; refined
liege (7) - faithful; loyal
mailed (7) - flexible armor made of interlinked rings
solar (7) - private or upper chamber in an English house
plague (8) - this disease is caused by a germ that fleas transmit from rats to humans
fletcher (8) - arrow-maker
joust (9) - combat with lances between two knights on horseback as part of a tournament
shire reeve (9) - a mayor of a town or district
putrid ( 9) - decayed; rotten
coif (9) - cap worn by women covering the sides of the head like a small hood
Cockney (9) - a kind of English spoken by certain people
Norman (10) - a person born in Normandy in France
wheedling (10) - persuading, cajoling, coaxing someone to do something
victuals (11) - food fit for human consumption
grotesque (11) - odd or unnatural in shape or appearance
fishmonger
bosses (11) - a raised ornament of silver, ivory or other material on a flat surface
corbels (11) - short horizontal timbers supporting a wall or doorway
embrasure (11) - inner sides of a window
carters (11) - a person whose work is driving a cart
retainer (12) - a person who works for someone else
Vespers (12) - a religious service said at sunset
friar (12) - a monk who goes outside the monastery to bring religion to people
hospice (12) - a building where travelers can obtain rest and food
cloisters (15) - a covered walkway running along the inside walls of a building
pallets (15) - a bed of straw or any small bed
woefully (15) - sad; sorrowful
tethered (16) - a rope fastening an animal so it can only move within certain limits
jennet (16) a small horse
dost (16) - to do
hosen (16) - close-fitting garment, like tights that covers the body from
the feet to the waist
frock (16) - a robe worn by a clergyman
sedately (17) - quiet and calm
curfew (17) - specific time after which people cannot go outside
habit (17) - to always act in a certain way
habit (clothing)
postern (17) - a back or side entrance
malady
Chapter 2
hawthorn (18) - a hedge of roses
clamored (18) - a loud noise
procession (18) - persons marching or riding
devotions (18) - private worship or prayer
breviary (18) - a book containing hymns and prayers
chanting
pilgrims (19) - are people that goes on a special religious journey
minstrels (19) - musical entertainers
almonry (19) - church building set aside for food and shelter to the poor
whittle (20) - to carve
barged
sopped
Garlands
despised
gait
mutton (20) - the meat of a sheep
seethed (20) - to be soaked
awry (21) - to be twisted or slanted
pruning
bowsprit - (21) ropes attached to a ship to help steady sails and masts
pennant (21) - a flag
retainers (22) - a person who works for someone else
weathered (22) - worn or stained seasoned by the weather
keepsake (22) - a souvenir or memento you keep forever
proportioned (22) - equal size
pumice (23) - a light porous rock used as an abrasive and polish
scriptorium (23) - a room set aside for writing and copying of important documents
psalteries (23) - ancient musical instruments
parchment (23) - the skin a sheep prepared for use as a writing material
illumined (23) - to bring light
crookshank (24) - someone with crooked legs
impertinent (24) - to show disrespect
conduit (24) - a pipe which transports water from a river
Chapter 3
abated (26) - to make less
cloisters
pallets
refectory (26) - a large dining area
fret
chapel (26) - a place set aside for worshiping God
trundle cart (26) - low wheeled cart
chisel (27) - a tool with a sharp cutting edge
slivers (27)
litter (27)
acrid (27)
plane (27)
mason (28)
evaporated (28)
reassured (29)
quill (30)
parchment (30)
minstrel (30)
attend (31)
Orion
tonsured (31) - the shaved part of the head of a monk
minced words (31) - to speak in a way that tries to hide the truth (not straight forward)
Chapter 4
hovel (32) - a small house
crusaders (35) - people who fight a battle to protect their religion
brook
droned (36) - to make a humming or buzzing sound like that of insects
urchins
garment
fasting (36) - not eating
jerkin (37) - close-fitting jacket or short coat, usually sleeveless
habit (37) - clothes worn by a priest or monk
hosen (37) - close-fitting garment, like tights, that covers the body from the feet to the waist
lectern (38) - a reading desk in a church
missal (38) - a book of prayers or songs
staves
chantry (38) - the part of a church where the choir gathers to sing the hymns of the mass
weir (39) - very high diving board
fervently (40) - a warm feeling
fennel
guild (41) - a group of people who are involved in a special craft or trade of making things
Chapter 5
cassock (42) - loose long coat or gown that reaches to the feet, worn by people who sing in a choir
cotta (42) - short white vestment worn by people who sing in a choir
verger (42) - usher in a church (somebody who shows you where to sit and collects money)
haste
pasty
saffron
faggots
alternating (42) first one and then the other
saddler (46) - one who makes or repairs saddles and other equipment for horses
rein
plodded
scudded
tethered
ironmonger (46) - seller of iron and objects made from iron (like horseshoes)
quench (46) - to stop a thirst
pilgrimage (47) - a religious journey to a holy place
refuge (47) - a shelter or protection from danger
lay (47) - a song sung by a minstrel
cutpurse (48) - a pickpocket, thief
roisterer(48) - a noisy person
crook (48) - a shepherd staff (much like the Bishop has)
cowl (50) - a monk's cloak with a hood
galled (51) - made sore by rubbing
fuller (51) - a person who cleans and works with cloth
crop (52) - to cut the grass
brocaded (52) - a heavy curtain with a woven design
punky (52) - dry spongy rotten wood used to start a fire
tinder (52) - material that catches fire easily
Chapter 6
intervals (53)
heartily (54)
ale (54)
thatch (55)
yonder
host
manor
peasants
ruffians
slatternly (55)
noggins (56) - a small cup or mug
unyielding (56)
hefty
befuddled
scornfully (59)
louts (59)
scuffling (60)
granary (61) - a building for storing grain
oafs
farthing
Chapter 7
spires
punts
barge
cavalcade
particolored (62) - many colors
caparison (62) - decorative horse covering
linger
flitted
abbey
abbot
marauding
lombards (63) - sellers of goods or trader of goods
hospitality (64) - friendly
flagon (65)- large drinking bottle
hearth
serf (66) - a worker or farmer of the land
ingrate (66) - an ungrateful person (someone who doesn't say thank you or always complains)
pease porridge (66) - thick cereal or soup
emissaries (68) - someone sent on a mission or errand to do a good deed
ruefully
coveted
domain
armory
heath
keep (71) - the most secure part of a castle (for locking up treasures or protecting people)
bannock (73) - oatmeal cake
newel (73) - pillar at top of winding stairs
belfry
Percheron (73) - large and strong horses originally from France
yeoman (74) - a poor farmer of lower class (a freeloader who depends on others to live)
Chapter 8
bowman (76)
tracery (77)
turret (78)
lingering
billowing
tapestries
retreive
flageolet (79) - a small flute with four finer holes
mimicking
fording
bannock
commotion
slain
treacherous
breached
swarmed
largess (79) - a generous gift or gifts
farrier (79) - a blacksmith (works with iron) - makes horseshoes and metal tools
tapered (79)
bailey (80) - courtyard within the walls of a castle
flambeaux (82) - flaming torches
fripperies (82) - colorful ornaments
trestles (82) - a wooden structure used to support a tabletop
portcullis (85) - iron grate that hangs over the entrance of a castle which is lowered to prevent entrance or exit
Chapter 9
yeomam
catapulting (86) - to throw something
lathe
bastion
larder
dwindled
refuge
mutton
drought
retainers
smock
fidget
forge
pikes
sentry
clod
meek
hedgerow
bracken
coaxed
famished
siege
garrison (87) - a group of soldiers defending a fort
sally port (90) - entrance to a fort
benedicite (91) - a word which means Bless You
lancers (99) - soldiers armed with lances (a knife at the end of a gun)
drovers (99) - people who herd sheep
cumber (99) - something that is difficult to carry and weighs you down (cumbersome)
priory (100) - a religious house run by a monk or priest
jig
pikestaff (103) - a wooden staff with a metal point
windlass (103) - a wheel with a rope used for pulling things
Chapter 10
sanctuary
sacristan (104) - a person in charge of the property in a monastery or church
pickaback
hail
belfry (105) - part of a tower in which a bell is hung
turrets (105) - towers or rounded peaks of a castle
deliverance (106) - to be set free
routed (107) - a road or path to take you some place
peal
portcullis
cavity
yule
timid
tumult
viol (111) - a musical instrument similar to a violin
banners (115) - a type of flag or sign
dais (118) - a raised platform or stage set up in a large room
tutor
boar
doublet (118) - a man's close fitting jacket
realm (119) - a kingdom or region ruled by a king
See - I told you it was a long post. :o)
Posts
