Angela Wilkes retells the Adventures of King Arthur at the beginner reading level (ages 5-6). I like Usborne's Young Reading Series because it includes books like this one that is interesting for older children who are still early readers. There are counterparts to this book at a higher level. For example, Usborne has a graphic novel (7+), an illustrated tale (7+) and a chapter book of the classic book retold. The advantage to this is that there is something for every reading level/style where children can read at their level and then converse with others at higher or lower levels on the same subject material. Just because you are not at a chapter book level doesn't mean you cannot find out the main storyline and details of King Arthur. Who was he and what made him famous? This is perfect for sibling groups who want to do a unit study on medieval times, kings, queens and knights...or more specifically on King Arthur himself. King Arthur is said to have lived in the late 5th and early 6th Century and to have helped Britain keep Saxon invaders from overtaking their land. However, it is not verified that he was a true warrior. Others say he is a legend. Not as in a great person, but as in a fictional character.
If the stories are somewhat fantasized, they still represent the realities of a time and place in history and therefore are valuable for entertaining history lessons that engage your child(ren) in active learning.
If you have an enthusiast of the medieval times, it would be wonderful to take them to The Medieval Times show and dinner to get a sense of what it would have been like in those days and to see the costumes and weapons up close. It gives you a multi-sensory introduction that will capture the imagination of all who attend.
You could also enrol your child in fencing classes to learn swordsmanship. Noah did this and it is excellent for one-on-one activity that requires balance and focus. It is a very intriguing activity that is surprisingly enjoyable. The fundamentals can be quickly attained but the nuances of excellence can continue to be built up over time. As opponents also improve the sport is always new and challenging
Another sport that is inspired by King Arthur that may interest your child is horseback riding. Caring for horses and riding them is often therapeutic and it is something children with a wide range of skills can engage in safely and enjoyably. If weekly lessons is not possible, perhaps an experience gift could be to go for a horse-drawn carriage ride or to attend a horse show (consider the Royal Winter Fair).
Drawing horses and playing with toy horses is also a popular hobby as these powerful creatures have been part of many cultures throughout history and been loved by farmers, soldiers and kings alike.
Family crests and personalized flags are also highly symbolic representations of this era. Whether you draw, cut and paste, or sew, an arts enthusiast can design their own crest or flag. Basing their design on historical patterns, research will help them to determine which symbols best represent their character, their family and/or their homeland. The outcome is often quite a keepsake!
Building castles, telling stories, making balloon swords and cooking medieval meals like whole chickens with potatoes and bread are all additional ideas that go along with this story. Whichever activity inspires your child, be sure to include the reading of books as a part of the journey. They can take people to faraway lands for grand adventures that will enrich their minds and their imaginations and give you all an enjoyable topic for inspiring activities and for building cherished memories to last a lifetime!
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