Grab your imagination and join me as we follow Jack and Annie throughout their medieval adventure as they explore castles, dungeons, moats and knights. Students will read, collect, investigate and document clues to help solve the mystery of who owns the treehouse and who is the mysterious “M”. Students will create a paper version of Jack’s backpack to house their completed activities. Students will read, discuss, create art projects throughout the week. Students will deepen their vocabulary, gain insight from others’ perspectives, learn to make predictions, summarize main ideas and much more.  Students will learn about suits of armor, castles and moats with a photo slide show.  Optional STEAM Challenges will add to the fun.

Prior to the start of each class, students will need to read the assigned chapters either with the help of an adult, on their own or utilizing an audiobook.  During the week, students can create and work on their own castle or other challenges. Students are welcomed to share their creations and discoveries.

Below is a breakdown of each class:

Remember, students should read the assigned chapters prior to class. Also, please print out the supporting PDFs prior to the first class meeting (Annie’s Map, Backpack, Jack’s Facts, STEAM Challenge & Fact Tracker). If a printer is unavailable, your child is free to create their own version of the documents.

Class 1  
Chapters 1-2  Activities and Discussion Questions:
Who are the main characters? 
Where is the treehouse located? 
Why did Jack and Annie wake up so early in Chapter 1? 
What were some of the events that Jack thought were strange? 
Has there ever been a time when it was hard for you to sleep?
On pg. 4 Jack says to Annie, “You’re nuts!” Why? 
Why was Jack worried about meeting the "magic person" who built the tree house? 
What did Annie bring along with her to the tree house?  
What did Jack bring with him again?  
What do you think chapter 2 was called, “The Dark Woods”? 
What was Annie's favorite picture?  
Why didn’t Annie listen to Jack when she wished to see the knight? 
What does the author mean, “The tree house was in a different oak tree?” 
Would you want to stay with Annie and visit the castle? Why or why not?
Why didn't Jack leave Annie and go back home? 
Who is braver so far? What makes you think so?
Think of a time you had to be brave?

Participate in guided discussion (questions listed above)
Document story elements onto Annie’s Mapping Quest 
Analyze and discuss vocabulary words  for chapters 1-5 via PPT slides: medallion, dawn, mysterious, shuddered, loomed, examine,  moat, shriek, vanished, halt, awe, whirled, breastplates, visor, & chamber.
Introduce and create a paper version of Jack’s backpack to hold novel documents
Homework: Read chapters 3-5
Optional STEAM Challenge Homework: Make a castle 


Class 2
Chapters 3-5 Activities and Discussion Questions:
Has the setting changed?
What surprised Jack about the knight’s armor? 
What is the purpose of a moat?
Why was there a hawk house inside the castle walls?
Why did Annie comment that the people “ate with their fingers”? 
What is one difference between Jack and Annie?  
What were the drums and horns announcing in the castle? 
What were some noises coming from inside the castle?  
Tell me some things going on inside the castle.  
Why did Annie and Jack run away from the party?  
What is an armory for? 
What were some of the weapons they saw? 
Why did Jack try on a helmet? 
Who do you think grabbed Jack and yanked off his helmet?   

Participate in guided discussion (questions listed above)
Document story elements onto Annie’s Mapping Quest 
Analyze and discuss vocabulary words via PPT slides: clammy, foreigners, frantically, dungeon, tearing, precipice, flailed, tread, embankment 
Make an acrostic Poem with “Jack’s Fact Tracker” for the words: KNIGHTS CASTLES (Kingdom; Noble; In armor; Galahad Sir; Helmuts; Tournaments, ; Camelot; Apprentices; Sieges; Towers; Legens; Europe; Stone)
Students share optional STEM challenges
Homework: Read chapters 6-8


Class 3
Chapters 6-8 Activities and Discussion Questions:
What were the names of the men who captured Jack and Annie?  
Why did they capture them?  
What were the guards afraid of that Annie had? 
Why would a flashlight scare them? 
What room did Jack and Annie hide in after they escaped the dungeon?  
Explain why Jack was tearing through the book on pg. 43? 
Other than the map, what did Jack discover in the book? 
Where did the trapdoor lead to?  
How did the author describe the tunnel? 
Would you crawl out of the tunnel like Jack? Why or why not?
What do you think “dog paddled” means? 
What was Jack worried about as they swam in the moat?  
What did Jack and Annie keep hearing in the water?  
Do you think Jack and Annie regret going into the castle? Why or why not?
Who was staring at Jack and Annie after they climbed out of the moat?  
Do you think the knight will help or hurt them?

Participate in guided discussion (questions listed above)
Document story elements onto Annie’s Mapping Quest 
Analyze and discuss vocabulary words via PPT slides: dismounted, cantered, daze, deserted
Through a directed draw, create a T-Rex on  “Jack’s Fact Tracker” 
Homework: Read chapters 9-10 and research 3 facts. Record on Jack's Fact Tracker. Facts are located on the attachment called, STEAM Challenges and Fact Tracker. 


Class 4
Chapters 9-10 Activities and Discussion Questions:
Did Jack like going on a ride with the knight? 
How would you feel if a knight picked you up and gave you a ride through the darkness? 
Where did the knight take Jack and Annie?  
Why were Jack and Annie cold?  
Why didn't Annie know if she pointed to the right picture to take them home? 
What did Jack find in his backpack?    
What's the mystery Jack solved?  
Explain why Jack and Annie’s parents weren’t looking for them while they were at the castle? 
What character are you more like in this book? Why? 

Participate in guided discussion (questions listed above)
Document story elements onto Annie’s Mapping Quest 
Track and write 3 favorite facts with “Jack’s Fact Tracker”  
Assemble backpack art project
Play Knight’s Duel Game

*Please note that each class has a posted minimum. All classes that do not meet the minimum within 24 hours of the class might be canceled. For live meetings, Ms. Kelli will wait for 10 minutes in the classroom. If no one shows up, the class will be cancelled. I will reach out to you if this is the case. Otherwise you may view the recorded lesson.