The Play of "The Silver Sword" (Heinemann Spotlights)
#1 in The New windmill series
on Goodreads (15)
What’s inside...
This series offers a range of plays specially written or adapted for 11- to 14-year-olds for easy acting or reading aloud in class. Many have large casts. This play is an adaptation of Ian Seraillier's classic story of how four children trek from Poland to Switzerland in search of their parents.
Character compass
Ruth Balicki
Bronia Balicki
Jan
Edek Balicki
Joseph Balicki
Discussion points
How do you think the characters felt when they found the silver sword?
Why is the silver sword important in the story?
What would you have done if you were in the characters' place?
How do the characters change throughout the story?
What did you learn about bravery and friendship from this book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Set a comfortable and quiet environment for the discussion, making your child feel at ease to express their thoughts and emotions.
Ask follow-up questions based on your child's responses to encourage deeper thinking and understanding.
Relate the story's themes to real-life scenarios to help your child make connections and understand the relevance of the story's messages.
Validate your child’s feelings and perspectives to encourage open communication and critical thinking.
End the discussion by asking your child how the story might influence their actions or decisions in their own life, fostering a sense of personal growth and empathy.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in adversity
Explanation: The characters in 'The Play of The Silver Sword' face numerous challenges, yet they consistently demonstrate resilience and hope. This is vividly illustrated as they navigate through war-torn environments yet remain focused on their goal.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to remain hopeful and resilient despite facing difficulties, whether it be challenges at school or in personal situations.
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the story, the success of the characters often hinges on their ability to work together. This collective effort underscores the importance of teamwork to overcome obstacles.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of cooperating with others to achieve common goals, be it in group projects at school or during team sports.
Example Lesson: Resourcefulness
Explanation: The characters often use their wits and available resources to solve problems, showing great ingenuity.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by using creative thinking to solve problems, whether they are working on a class project or figuring out a puzzle.
Example Lesson: Courage to confront fears
Explanation: Despite their fears, the children in the story make brave decisions that showcase their courage.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to face their own fears and understand that bravery isn't the absence of fear but the ability to move forward despite it.
Example Lesson: Empathy and kindness
Explanation: As the characters interact, they often exhibit empathy and kindness to others, which is pivotal to their survival and success.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of being kind and empathetic towards others, a vital trait that fosters positive relationships in real life.