What Was the Titanic?
What was...? Series
What’s inside...
What Was the Titanic? is a riveting account of the legendary ship that sank in the North Atlantic Ocean on April 15, 1912. Author Stephanie Sabol delves into the details of the ship's construction, the people who built it, the passengers who boarded it, and the iceberg that ended its journey. For more than one hundred years, people have been captivated by the disastrous sinking of the Titanic that claimed over 1,500 lives. Now young readers can find out why the great ship went down and how it was discovered seventy-five years later. At 2:20 a.m. on April 15, 1912, the Royal Mail Steamer Titanic, the largest passenger steamship of this time, met its catastrophic end after crashing into an iceberg. Of the 2,240 passengers and crew onboard, only 705 survived. More than 100 years later, today's readers will be intrigued by the mystery that surrounds this ship that was originally labeled 'unsinkable.'
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
112 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the Titanic is still remembered today?
What feelings do you think the passengers might have felt during the voyage?
How do you think the design of the Titanic contributed to the tragedy?
What lessons can we learn from the story of the Titanic?
If you were on the Titanic, what would you have done differently?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before starting the book, ask your child what they already know about the Titanic to gauge their prior knowledge.
While reading, encourage your child to imagine themselves in the different scenarios presented in the book. Ask them how they would feel and react.
Discuss the importance of safety measures and how advancements have been made since the Titanic.
Link the historical context of the Titanic to modern-day lessons on resilience and innovation.
After finishing the book, watch a documentary or visit a museum exhibit on the Titanic to deepen the understanding and impact of the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of safety and preparedness
Explanation: The book illustrates the tragedy of the Titanic, emphasizing how crucial safety measures and emergency preparedness are.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by understanding the need for following safety rules and being prepared for unexpected situations, like participating in drills at school or wearing protective gear while playing sports.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: The story showcases the survivors' resilience and determination to keep going despite the overwhelming odds.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to persevere through their own challenges, whether it's working through a difficult homework assignment or coping with a move to a new school.
Example Lesson: Empathy and compassion
Explanation: Through the diverse experiences of the Titanic's passengers, children see the importance of showing compassion and empathy towards people in distress.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to help a friend in need, or to show kindness to someone who is different from them, fostering a more inclusive attitude.
Example Lesson: Learning from history
Explanation: The book provides a factual recount of the Titanic's voyage, focusing on the lessons learned from this historic event.
Real-World Application: Children can understand the value of learning from past mistakes and successes to make better decisions in their own lives, such as obeying rules and being mindful of their actions.