Vikings: Dress, Eat, Write, and Play Just Like the Vikings (Hands-on History)
100 Things You Should Know About . . ., 100 Things You Should Know About . . . Series
on Goodreads (39)
What’s inside...
In 'Vikings: Dress, Eat, Write, and Play Just Like the Vikings (Hands-on History),' author Fiona Macdonald offers an engaging, interactive guide to the culture of the Vikings tailored to young readers. Covering topics from what Vikings wore, what they ate, how they wrote and how they entertained themselves, the book creates an immersive experience of the Viking Age through detailed narratives, historical insights, and hands-on activities. Readers are encouraged to partake in creating Viking clothing, cooking historical recipes, practicing writing in runes, and engaging in traditional Viking games, all fostering a comprehensive understanding of this ancient civilization by experiencing it practically.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What did you find most interesting about how Vikings lived their daily lives?
How do you think being a Viking child would be different from your life today?
What Viking skills or crafts would you like to learn and why?
Can you think of any ways that the Vikings influenced our world today?
If you were a Viking for a day, what activities would you choose to do?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to compare their daily routine with that of a Viking child to spark interest and deeper understanding.
Discuss the illustrations and artifacts in the book to help visualize Viking life and enhance comprehension.
Link discussions to the child’s own experiences, like comparing school subjects they enjoy with skills Vikings valued.
Ask open-ended questions that let your child express their thoughts and feelings about the Viking lifestyle.
Plan a fun activity inspired by the book, such as making a simple Viking craft or preparing a Viking-style snack together.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Cultural Appreciation
Explanation: This book explores various aspects of Viking life, including dress, food, writing, and leisure activities, educating children about a different culture extensively.
Real-World Application: Children learn to respect and value different cultures, enhancing their social skills and broadening their worldviews.
Example Lesson: Historical Knowledge
Explanation: Through interactive hands-on activities, children gain a detailed understanding of Viking history, which is essential for building a chronological perspective.
Real-World Application: This knowledge can foster a child’s curiosity about history and encourage them to explore other historical topics and time periods.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: The book includes activities that require children to recreate aspects of Viking life, which stimulates creativity and imaginative thinking.
Real-World Application: Engaging in creative activities can enhance problem-solving skills and adaptability in various real-life situations.
Example Lesson: Self-Learning
Explanation: By engaging in the book’s activities independently, children learn to learn autonomously, fostering a sense of accomplishment.
Real-World Application: Promoting self-learning equips children with the confidence to tackle new challenges and skills throughout their educational journey.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Many activities in the book can be done in groups, teaching children the importance of working together to achieve common goals.
Real-World Application: Collaborative skills learned through such activities are essential for success in school projects and later in professional environments.