Medieval Life
Snapping-turtle guide Series
on Goodreads (4)
What’s inside...
Focusing on medieval life, and illustrated with many contemporary medieval paintings, this book brings the period vividly to life, showing the rich and poor alike. The book colourfully illustrates life in medieval times, with contemporary paintings and striking photographs of surviving buildings and artefacts. It shows the everyday lives of the rich and poor from the humble peasant to the Lord of the Manor, the cruelty of warfare and the role of the church in society.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
14-17
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think daily life was like for a child in medieval times compared to your life today?
Can you imagine what it would be like to live in a castle? How do you think it would feel?
Why do you think people in medieval times had different roles, like knights, peasants, and kings?
What did you find most interesting about the way people dressed in medieval times?
If you could meet one character from the book, who would it be and what would you ask them?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to visualize the medieval scenes by asking them to draw their favorite setting or character from the book.
Use the book's illustrations to discuss similarities and differences in architecture, clothing, and tools between then and now.
Relate the historical content to current events or your child's experiences to enhance understanding and relatability.
After reading, encourage your child to tell their own medieval story using newly learned facts and their imagination.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Teamwork
Explanation: The book showcases cooperation among various members of a medieval community, highlighting how each person’s role is crucial for the village’s survival.
Real-World Application: Children learn to value collaboration and see how working together can help achieve common goals in school projects or family tasks.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of challenges
Explanation: Characters in 'Medieval Life' often face difficult conditions, yet they persevere and adapt to their circumstances.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to remain resilient when they encounter obstacles in their own lives, whether it’s challenging homework or learning a new skill.
Example Lesson: Understanding diverse perspectives
Explanation: The book presents various viewpoints from people of different social standings in the medieval era, illustrating the complexity of historical perspectives.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this understanding by appreciating diverse viewpoints in their interactions at school or within the community, fostering empathy and social awareness.
Example Lesson: Value of hard work
Explanation: Through the daily lives of peasants and craftsmen, the book emphasizes the diligence required in medieval professions.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to adopt a strong work ethic in their academic and personal endeavors.
Example Lesson: Learning from history
Explanation: The book details how historical events and lifestyles have shaped societies, offering insights into the past.
Real-World Application: Children can use this knowledge to understand the importance of history in shaping the present and future, cultivating an interest in historical studies and critical thinking.