‘Time Hunters: Knight Quest’ by Chris Blake
ISBN 978-0-00-751400-7
Whole-book projects
The texts in the Reading Attic have been chosen to represent the interestlevel of the year group, and because the writing and plot-lines mean that they are likely to appeal to children and encourage them to read the whole book. As we have concentrated on interest level and quality of writing, it does mean that the extractsmay be challenging for some children to deconstruct, so they may need additional support here. The Reading Attic is about encouraging children to read for pleasure; in encouraging them to read the whole book,it does mean that not all children will be able to complete activities unaided in this section of Treasure House.
Teaching input
These projects are designed to foster children’s enjoyment of the whole book by providing open-ended challenges, including fun creative-writing tasks and a book review. The projects could take place across a week or even across half a term, and can be used independently or as a whole-class series of tasks guided by the teacher.
In addition to completing the whole-book projects, read the final extract with the class to round off their experience of the book. Reflect on the overall themes and style of ‘Time Hunters: Knight Quest’. Discuss children’s opinions of the story by taking turns to speak while sitting in a circle or by recording thoughts on sticky notes and adding them to a display.
Project notes
The activities on the following pages can be done as a group or by individuals. Model writing short versions of each with the class before asking them to write for themselves.
Project 1: Enable children to use writing paper to handwrite their diary extract. Children should attempt to use the forms and conventions of diary report writing. They should also show understanding of the purpose of the extract (to record Al’s challenges to become a knight).
Project 2: Enable children to draw or paint their character on paper. Children should show imagination and use of descriptive language.
Project 3: Enable children to draw or paint their setting on paper. Children should show imagination and use of descriptive language.
Project 4: Provide books and websites for children to research information about knights, and enable children to make their leaflets on paper. Children should attempt to use the forms and conventions of non-fiction leaflets (for example, headings, sub-headings, bullet points, factual information). They should also show understanding of the purpose of the leaflet (to inform the reader about knights).
Project 5: Enable children to write (or type and print) and illustrate a full story, and then display or share their stories with a wider audience. Children should attempt to use the forms and conventions of narrative writing (for example, descriptive language, dialogue, imagination).
Project 6: Children should attempt to answer all sections fully, demonstrating their opinion and explaining their thoughts.
Further cross-curricular assessment opportunities:
Drama: ‘Hot-seat’ the characters from ‘Time Hunters: Knight Quest’ to explore their feelings.
History: Research and present information about Medieval England, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
Art: Design Medieval jewellery.
Final Extract
From ‘Time Hunters: Knight Quest’ by Chris Blake
“Al!” shouted Tom, running over to his unconscious friend. “Can you hear me?”
Isis bent down and started slapping Al’s cheeks. “Wake up!”
Al woke with a start. “Ow,” he said, looking dazed and rubbing his head. “I had a terrible dream. I was being punished for stealing King Arthur’s golden sword.” He sat up and looked around the cave. “Oh no! It wasn’t a dream.”
“Don’t worry,” said Tom. “It was just a rockslide. But we’re going to get out of here.”
“First we need to find the sword,” said Isis.
As Tom’s eyes adjusted to the dark, he spied the sword’s carved handle sticking out from under a big boulder. But the blade was trapped beneath the rock. Tom pushed and pushed, but the stone wouldn’t budge.
“Here, let me give you a hand,” said Al, rising to his feet.
Together, Tom and Al pushed at the rock with their shoulders. Finally, the rock shifted slightly, and Isis was able to yank out the sword from under the rock.
“Good as new,” she said, blowing dust off the shining blade and handing it to Al.
Tom gave Isis a thumbs up.
“He keeps doing that,” Isis told Al. “Sticking his thumbs in the air. I still don’t know what it means. Do you?”
“No,” Al said. “But I think it means something good.”
Tom barely heard them. He was too busy staring at the dazzling green amulet embedded in the sword’s blade.
“We’ve got it,” he said to Isis. “Now let’s find a way out of here.” All Tom and Isis needed to do was both touch the amulet and they would be whisked back to modern times. But he knew there was no way Isis would leave without her pet cat. And besides, they’d promised to help Al. If they took the sword, he’d never get to become one of King Arthur’s knights.
Project 1
Pretend you are Tom. Write a short diary extract for the day of Al’s challenges to become a knight. Include some detailed descriptions.
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Project2
Design a new character that would fit in the ‘Time Hunters: Knight Quest’ story. Perhaps it could be a new knight. Use the prompts to help you.
Character name: ______
How old is he or she?
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What does your character look like?
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What is his or her personality like?
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From where does your character come?
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How does he or she know Tom, Isis or Al?
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Project 3
The settings used in the ‘Time Hunters: Knight Quest’ story are all in Old England: the village, the woods and the cave. Plan a setting description that could be used in a story about Tom and Isis in Old England. Use the prompts to help you.
Type of setting: ______
Where is your setting?
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What would you see?
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What would you smell?
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What would you hear?
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What could be happening there?
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Project4
Plan an information leaflet to teach people about King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Use the prompts to help you.
Heading:______
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Sub-headings:______
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Questions I need to answer:______
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How I will find out the answers:______
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Project5
Plan your own short story about Tom and Isis in Old England. Use the prompts to help you.
Setting:______
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Characters:_______
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Opening sentence:____________
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Actions:______
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Problem:______
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How the problem was solved:_________
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Project6
Complete this book review about ‘Time Hunters: Knight Quest’.
Who is the author of this book?
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What is the story about?
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What were your favourite parts?
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Was there anything you didn’t like?
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Would you recommend this book to your friends? Why or why not?
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How many stars would you give this book?
© HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2014