Blue Room: Medieval Legends

Week 1 in the Blue Room is focused on the story of Beowulf. Beowulf was originally a poem written in Old English between the year 750 and 1000 AD. The story takes place in 6th century Scandinavia and is about the struggle between the hero, Beowulf, and a monster called Grendel. The hero defeats Grendel not realizing that Grendel’s mother would soon be avenging her son’s death. Beowulf also defeats Grendel’s mother and becomes king. He rules for many years until one day a dragon starts causing trouble in his lands. Beowulf challenges the dragon and although he defeats the dragon, the battle leads to Beowulf’s death.

During week 1 students will be introduced to the story of Beowulf through the graphic novel, Beowulf Monster Slayer by Paul D. Storrie and Ron Randall. A graphic novel offers students the chance to experience the hero, Beowulf, in a much different manner than a novel would allow. A graphic novel is full of pictures that show each and every action that the hero, Beowulf, takes. This allows for a much greater understanding and comprehension of what is being read.

Week 1 Sub Theme Objectives

1. Understand what a graphic novel is and what differentiates it from a book.
2. Know the story of Beowulf including the time period in which it took place.
3. Be able to make predictions about the story using the pictures from the text.
4. Begin to experience Expressive Reading.

Week 2 in the Blue Room will be focused on the story of King Arthur. No one knows exactly when the story of King Arthur was originally conceived. Many believe that the story was orally passed down for years until the 12th century when the story was finally written down. Many also believe that the story of King Arthur was based on an actual individual who lived during the 6th century. The prospect that the story may have components of truth makes it all the more intriguing!

The story of King Arthur is one of bravery and romance. It begins with Arthur as a young boy who pulls a sword out of a stone. From that day on he is King of Britain. The story focuses on his reign as king including talks with Merlin the Magician, magical swords and mighty battles. The story ends with Arthur disappearing with the Lady of the Lake, never to be heard from again.

During week 2 students will be introduced to the story of King Arthur through the short picture novel, The Adventures of King Arthur retold by Angela Wilkes and illustrated by Peter Dennis. Students will not only learn about the magnificent bravery of King Arthur, but will come away from the week with an understanding of what a novel is and why reading them is one of the world’s favorite pastimes.

Week 2 Sub Theme Objectives

1. Begin to understand what a novel is (i.e. contains chapters, tells a story over a period of time, has many pages, etc.).
2. Know the story of King Arthur including the time period in which it took place.
3. Start to recognize some sight words in the text of King Arthur (i.e. the, to, in, etc.).
4. Continue to experience Expressive Reading.

Week 3 in the Blue Room will be taught in a similar manner to that of week 2. However, week 3 will be focused on a different story; the famous tale of Robin Hood. Like with the story of King Arthur, much mystery surrounds the tale of Robin Hood. No one is sure when the story first came into being, although many believe that that it was first written during the 15th century.  References to the tale of Robin Hood date back to the late 13th century in the form of poems and plays. It is also unknown whether the story of Robin Hood is based on an actual person.

The story of Robin Hood is well known. Robin Hood was a man who stole from the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham and gave the money he stole to the poor village people. Nottingham finds out what Robin Hood has been doing, burns down the village and hires the Six Swordsmen to fight Robin Hood. A great battle ensues and Nottingham is defeated just as the King returns home. During week 3 students will be introduced to the story of Robin Hood through the short picture novel, Robin Hood retold by Rob Lloyd Jones and illustrated by Alan Marks.

Week 3 Sub Theme Objectives

1. Know what a novel is (i.e. contains chapters, tells a story over a period of time, has many pages, etc.).
2. Know the story of Robin Hood including the time period in which it took place.
3. Start to recognize some sight words in the text of Robin Hood.
4. Continue to experience Expressive Reading.

The last week of the month will again follow the same format as week 2. However, week 4 will be focused on yet another legendary story of the middle ages; the tale of the Three Musketeers. The Three Musketeers was written in 1844 by the famous Alexandre Dumas. The story takes place in 17th century France. Dumas based many of his characters on actual people that existed in history. These historical references are part of what makes The Three Musketeers such an intriguing and beloved novel.

The story of The Three Musketeers starts with main character, D’Artagnan (dart-an-yan), traveling to Paris to become one of the King’s Musketeers. It is in Paris that he befriends Porthos, Athos and Aramis, three of the King’s Musketeers. What ensues is a story of romance, swashbuckling action and adventure.

During week 4 students will be introduced to the story of The Three Musketeers through the short picture novel, The Three Musketeers retold by Rebecca Levene and illustrated by Victor Tavares. Students will not only learn about D’Artagnan’s adventures in The Three Musketeers, but will come away from the week with a knowledge of who Alexandre Dumas was and why the novel he wrote has become one of the world’s most beloved books.

Week 4 Sub Theme Objectives

1. Know who Alexandre Dumas was and why The Three Musketeers is considered to be one of the greatest books ever written.
2. Know the story of The Three Musketeers including the time period in which it took place.
3. Be able to recognize some sight words in the text of The Three Musketeers.
4. Continue to experience Expressive Reading.

Reading:

1.2 Follow words from left to right and from top to bottom on the printed page.

3.1 Distinguish fantasy from realistic text.

Reading Comprehension:

2.2 Respond to who, what, where, when and how questions.

Listening & Speaking

1.1 Listen attentively.