Summary:
This book is called Castle Diary: The Journal of Tobias Burgess by Richard Platt. This is the medieval journal of Tobias Burgess, a ten year old boy, who was sent to his uncle's castle for a year to learn to be a page. Toby keeps a detailed journal of everything that happens there - from such great events as a boar hunt and a tournament to more everyday activities like baking bread and cleaning out the garderobes (toilets).
Genre Evaluation
This book would be classified as a historical fiction book. It has an imaginary character that does not exist, but it contains a wealth of information about the Middle Ages and has been peer reviewed as being accurate information.
Classroom Activities
1.Vocabulary- This book is an awesome opportunity to explore the vocabulary of the Middle Ages that was used. The book has a glossary that would aid the teacher in making up a matching game with the word from the Middle Ages to the words used now.
2. Art & Crft- Build or draw a castle. Use the detailed description from the book to create or draw your own castle. Make it with walls and equip it with catapults for good measure. Then they can hang or display them in the class for everyone to enjoy.
Read & Response:
1. What would you do if you lived in a castle?
2. How would you feel if you had to do all the things that Toby did?
Personal Comments:
I didn't think that I would enjoy this book because it was a historical book about the Middle Ages, but I was surprised at how the author reeled you in with the knowledge that it held. I will definitely use this book with my kids when they begin to study about this era in history.
About the Author:
Richard Platt writes on a wide variety of subjects. He has written a lot about the sea, about science and technology, and about history – mainly social and medieval history. Espionage, crime and forensic science are special interests.
References:
Richard Platt. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.richardplatt.co.uk/aboutme.html
Another literature response activity could be to have the children write their own journal for a week. The children could write down what they did in class, how they felt that day what they ate, who they played with, all things they could think of that they did for the day. The children may find that they enjoy writing down what happened to them during the week, and they may want to continue writing in a journal.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be a good idea also to have the children write down the different jobs that they may be interested in for when they grow older and explain why. For the week (or however long it may take) the children could discuss the different jobs that each child may want to do when they get older during circle time. The teacher can make a list and and write tally marks which job/career had the most votes. Once the children are finished at the end of the week each child would each have to pick one job/career and write an essay with regards to their career choice. The children could come to school dressed as the career choice. The children could read their essays to the class as they are dressed in their career choice. This activity not only could help with their writing and literature skills, but it can also get the children to start thinking about their careers.
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