The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood

THE MERRY ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD by Howard Pyle.

...An exciting vividly written novel re-creating the medieval world. With romance, swordplay, colorful friendships, archery contests, revenge and a quest for justice --this novel has something to interest and captivate each of my homeschooled children. Thus, allowing them to become immersed in yet another story. Which after all, reinforces my main goal in teaching with Classic Literature -- to incorporate a thirst and desire to read many types of literature, including ones they possibly wouldn't have chosen for themselves. :-)
Now we could go off in many directions when studying this novel. However with the writing style being so rich and descriptive, I have chosen to use it to develop and reinforce critical thinking skills. For their curriculum I am breaking down each part into chapters and plan to cover a chapter each day or two, as some chapters are longer and more complex than others.

SKILL OBJECTIVES
1) While reading the text they will decipher the theme of the novel. Identifying the main idea, supporting details and facts, setting, problems and solutions of each chapter.

2) They will also arranging events in chronological order, compose character analyses by traits of personality shown through words and/or deeds, and make connections between the characters and their lives.

3) To focus on individual learning styles and boost self esteem. I am giving each of them seperate Literature Teacher Jobs with this novel to share with the group.
a) Drake will create 8 questions for each chapter in his journal for the other two. Creating an answer sheet and noting the page number where the answers are to be found.
b) Griffin will compare and contrast characters in each chapter in his journal by the their actions & personality traits shown and his impressions. He will relate these to us, leaving out some details so the others can contribute their ideas and thoughts to each. Which he will then add to his journal entries.
c) Trinity will be the literary spotter. Listing the sentence or phrase and page number on which each Literary term is found in her journal. She will also explain and describe each at the end of each chapter to the group. These terms are --metaphor, simile, onomatopoeia, alliteration, personification, hyperbole, and idiom. (*A* Definations and examples of each listed.)

4) By using a variety of comprehension strategies, (ie. re-reading, context clues, and checking other sources), they will infer the meaning of new and unfamiliar words - thus increasing their vocabulary. To help with this we will be focusing on word relationships, (synonyms, antonyms, homophones, prefixes, suffixes, root words, & multiple meanings).
Additionally some vocabulary words along with definitions for most chapters will be given before reading. These will be copied from the white board. Reinforcing good handwriting and copying skills. (**B** Listed)




*A* Literary Skills
1) Metaphor - a word or phrase used in place of another to suggest a likeness.
The SOUND IN THE AIR CONDITIONER was MUSIC to his ears.
2) Simile - comparing two unlike things, often introduced by like or as.
Their STOMACHS felt LIKE TUBES OF TOOTHPASTE that had been all squeezed out.
3) Onomatopoeia - the naming of a thing or action by a sound associated with it.
PLUNK,PLUNK,PLUNK. The turtle sang as she walked up the ramp.
4) Alliteration - repeating initial consonant sounds in neighboring words.
The Gray Goat Gulped the Green Grass.
5) Personification - representing a thing or idea as a person.
The big TREE WAS FIGHTING HARD to keep standing.
6) Hyperbole - extravagant exaggeration.
The worm was SO LONG it stretched OFF THE PLATE, OUT THE BARN DOOR, AND INTO THE ORCHARD.
7) Idiom - having a meaning that that is different than the meaning of the individual parts.
Her EYES DRIFTED around the room and RESTED on the little girl.



**B** Vocabulary
Chapter One
Yeoman – a man who works his own small farm
Abbey – several buildings including a church, where men or women lived a religious life
Outlaw – criminal who is running away from the authorities
Treason – the crime of betraying your country or trying to overthrow the government
Lincoln Green – a color of wool cloth once made in Lincoln, England
Wager – to make a bet

Chapter Two
Idle – lazy; to not work
Mettle – an attitude of courage
Perchance – meaning perhaps
Staff – a pole or stick that is used to fight
Stronghold – a fort

Chapter Three
Guild – an association formed by merchants or craftsman to control a trade in product or service
Mutton – sheep’s meat

Chapter Four
Steward - servant
bonny lass - beautiful girl
beshrew - to curse

Chapter Five
Grammercy – a word once used to express astonishment or gratitude
Patron saint - a saint one prays to for help and protection. St. George is the patron saint of England
Thicket – a group of small shrubs

Chapter Six
Roundelay – a simple song with a line that repeats often
Jerkin – a leather vest that covered the hips
Mantle – cloak

Chapter Seven
Buckler – a small round shield held at arm’s length by handle
Hasty Pudding – boiled oatmeal; porridge
Rheumatic pains – pain caused by swelling in the muscles or joints
Anchorite – someone who lives alone as a hermit, usually for religious reason

Chapter Eight
Minstrel – traveling singers and poets who usually also played the harp
Normans – people of Scandinavian descent who occupied Normandy in the 10th century
Varlet – a servant of bad character
Banns – an announcement in church of a proposed marriage, usually made weekly for three weeks

Chapter Nine
Gallant –noble; brave
Parry – to ward off a weapon or a blow

Chapter Eleven
Page – a youth being trained for knighthood by serving a knight
Amnesty – a pardon or forgiveness

Chapter Twelve
Device – the design or emblem that identified a person or a family; coat of arms
Lists – in tournaments, a fenced area where knights on horseback charged each other and each tried to knock his opponent from his horse with a lance
Harts – male deer

Chapter Thirteen
Tinker – someone who repaired metal household utensils
Solder – a mixture of tin and lead that is melted to bond two pieces of metal together

Chapter Sixteen
Wis – know
appertaining - relate or pertain, usually followed by to.

Chapter Seventeen
Palmer – a person who made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land
Shrive – to listen to someone confessing his sins

Chapter Eighteen
Chivalry – the ideals of medieval knights that emphasized gallantry, honor and courtesy, especially toward women

Chapter Nineteen
Gruel – thin oatmeal porridge
Gauntlet – a glove with armor protecting the hand

Chapter Twenty
Health – a drinking toast wishing for health
Fripperies – foolish or useless things