An exceptional way for your students to follow a story is for them to track the events from it. Not only is this a great way to teach the parts of a plot, but it also reinforces major events, which helps students develop better understanding of how the events fit together to provide the overall structure of the story.
When the King announces his plan to come spend some nights at Camdenton Manor, the Lord of the Manor has many things he needs to get done. Using a timeline storyboard, students can make a sequence of events that lead up to the grand feast for the King.
| STEP 1 | The manor had to be cleaned and rooms readied. "The royal suite was redecorated. Silk was spun, new fabric was woven. The Royal Crest was embroidered and painted on the King's chair." |
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| STEP 2 | Tents were set up for the horsemen. A fence was built to keep the horses in. |
| STEP 3 | Provisions were gathered for the feast. The Lord and his party went hunting. People picked fruits and vegetables. Butter and cheese were made. Wines and ales were brewed. |
| STEP 4 | All the food was prepared in the great kitchen. Meats were roasted and boiled. |
| STEP 5 | Guests came to the great hall for the feast. They washed their hands with scented water. The Bishop said grace. The feast began! |
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Engage students by creating a classroom bulletin board that visually displays the timeline from A Medieval Feast. This interactive display helps students see the sequence of events and refer back to them during discussions or writing activities.
Collect large paper, markers, printed images, index cards, and pushpins or tape. Having materials ready ensures a smooth setup and encourages student participation.
Divide the class so each student or small group is responsible for illustrating or summarizing a specific event from the story. This promotes collaboration and deeper understanding of each event.
Have students write a brief summary of their event and add an illustration using markers or printed images. Encourage creativity to make the timeline engaging and memorable.
Guide students as they place their event cards in sequential order, creating a clear visual flow. Discuss the significance of each event as you build the timeline together.
Refer to the timeline during lessons, class discussions, or writing assignments. This reinforces sequencing skills and helps students recall important story details.
A sequence of events timeline activity for 'A Medieval Feast' helps students map out the main events in order, reinforcing plot structure and comprehension of the story's key happenings leading to the grand feast.
Guide students to summarize each step leading to the feast, such as cleaning the manor, preparing food, and welcoming guests. Using timeline storyboards and illustrations helps them recognize and organize the main events.
The steps include cleaning the manor, setting up tents, gathering provisions, preparing food, and hosting the guests as described in the story's timeline activity.
Sequencing events helps students understand how stories are organized, builds comprehension, and enables them to see cause and effect between different parts of a narrative.
Use storyboards, printable timelines, or digital tools where students write summaries and add illustrations for each story event. This makes learning interactive and accessible for young learners.