Text Type:
Fact / Informational Text
Reading Level:
Q
Word Count:
1,500
Pages:
24
Text Summary
Castles is a factual text that describes castle building from early times through recently constructed castles. Details about interior and exterior features are included. The reader also learns about the people who lived in and around medieval castles. Both photos and illustrations support the text.
Lesson Objectives
Reading Strategies
Children should use a variety of strategies to determine word meaning and comprehend text. The targeted strategy for this lesson is: Using context clues.
This book has some vocabulary that may be unfamiliar to children. They can use context clues to help them decipher the text. By using the pictures as they read, children will be able to make sense of the content of the text.
Word and Print Skills
Word Work
Punctuation and Capitalization
Word Structure–Multiple Syllable Words
Comprehension
You will likely address a number of comprehension skills as children work to understand the text. The targeted comprehension strategy for this lesson is: Summarizing after each chapter.
If children summarize each section as they read, the sections will be broken into more digestible parts. This is much easier than having children try to understand the whole of the text from cover to cover. This is a good way to give them practice in reading chapter books.
Visual Learning
Have children look at the picture on page 8 and compare this picture to the one on page 14. Point to the various parts of a castle and have children think about these various parts as they begin to read. Have children look at the photographs and think abstractly by putting themselves in the photograph. This will help to inspire abstract thought.
Targeted Vocabulary Words
Content Words
nobles, commoners, merchants, knights, craftsmen, farmers, attackers, artisans, classes
Explain to children that these words describe people who lived in or near castles. Ask them which of these words do we use today to describe the people in our community. Do they know anyone with any of these names?
Before Reading
Introducing the Book
Show children the book and ask: What do you think this book will be about? Do you think it will be a fact book or a fiction book? Why do you think so? There should be a lot of predictions from children. Write their predictions on the board and see if they match up later. Explain that predictions cannot be wrong because they are only guesses. They might not be true, but a prediction is only what could possibly happen. Scientists use prediction all the time, and while they are sometimes not the reality, they are often a good start to understanding ideas. Have children turn to the table of contents and point out the chapter titles. Ask: Which chapter title do you think sounds interesting? Have children turn to page 24. Explain that a glossary is like a dictionary and that these are words from the book that readers may need an explanation for.
Building Background
Start a discussion with children about castles. Ask: Has anyone ever been to a castle? Write down any castles that children may have visited. Ask: Do you think people still live in castles?
Book Walk
Have children turn to pages 6 and 7 and have them look at the pictures. Explain that these are castles that were built the earliest and are not like the castles we might see today. Have children look at the castle on page 7 and ask: Is this castle more like what you expect to see in a picture of a castle? Have children look for the words mott and bailey on page 6. Explain that mott is a tall hill and bailey is the fence surrounding the area around the hill. Have children look through the rest of the book and discuss each page.
Reading Strategies
Discuss any reading strategies children can use to help them read.
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Read the second paragraph on page 9. Have children look at the glossary on page 24 to find the word crenellation. Ask: What does this word mean? Finish reading the paragraph.
During Reading
Student Reading
Have children read the book with a partner. Review some of the strategies readers use while reading:
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Think Aloud
Have children read pages 4 and 5. After reading, have them tell 3 or 4 things about a castle.
After Reading
Comprehending the Text
Ask children to compare and contrast the earliest and the latest castles. Discuss the status of the people who lived in the castle as opposed to those living outside the castle. Ask: What was the difference in the walls surrounding the early castles compared to the most recent? How were the castles themselves different? Which would you rather live in? The oldest or the newest?
Discuss the system of rank and rule in the Middle Ages compared to the way things are today. Ask: How are things different today? Do we have class ranks? Who makes the rules for our country?
Visual Learning
Ask: What information did you learn about castles that helped you to label the picture on page 14? Have children look at the chart on page 16. Ask: What are the classes on the chart? Which class would you have liked to be in? Why?
Building Skills
Word Work
Capitalization and Punctuation
Write the following sentence on the board: one of the most important places in the castle was the great hall. Have children write this sentence with proper punctuation and capitalization on a piece of scratch paper. Now have children look at page 11 in the book. Ask: Does your sentence match the one in the book? Punctuate and capitalize the sentence on the board and explain each change to the sentence as you make it. One must be capitalized because it is the first word of the sentence. Great Hall must be capitalized because it is a proper name. A period should be added to the end of the sentence because it is a declarative sentence. Explain that a declarative sentence is a sentence that is not a question and that it is the most common sort of sentence they will encounter in writing.
Multiple Syllable Words
Write the words castle, Medieval, moat, comfortable, defense, and enemies on the chalkboard. Say the words, pausing between syllables as children clap on each and count. Write the number of syllables children count next to each word. Now, have volunteers come to the board and draw lines between syllables. If they have trouble, have them say the words slowly, clapping on the "beats" of the syllables.
Expand the Reading
Writing Connection
Have children write a story about living in a castle from the point of view of a person from the Middle Ages. Alternatively, they can write a factual paragraph about castles using the book and any other resources they find. For this exercise, use the comprehension worksheet.
Social Studies Connection
Have children break into groups of three or four. Have them do research on castles online or at the library. They can research the history, castle life, or the castles that are being lived in today. Have them write notes on what they find to share with the class.
Reading Independently
Have children read the book independently or with a partner. You can also encourage them to read other books of their choice at the appropriate level.
Home Connection
Have children take their books home and share what they have learned with a family member. Have them share what they wrote about castles with their family members.
Assessment
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