Core Skills Analysis
English
- Improved vocabulary by learning new historical terms like 'moat', 'battlements', and 'drawbridge'.
- Enhanced descriptive writing skills by describing the architecture and ambiance of the castle keep.
- Explored narrative techniques by imagining themselves as inhabitants of the castle during medieval times.
History
- Gained a deeper understanding of medieval fortifications and their strategic importance.
- Learned about the historical significance of the Newcastle castle keep in defending the city.
- Explored the lives of people living in and around the castle during different time periods.
Math
- Calculated the dimensions of the castle keep by estimating lengths and heights of its different parts.
- Explored geometric shapes like squares, rectangles, and circles in the architectural elements of the castle.
- Analyzed historical data related to the castle's construction and population over time.
Tips
To further enhance learning from the visit to Newcastle castle keep, students can engage in creating their own historical fiction stories set in medieval times, participate in mock architectural design projects inspired by the castle's structure, and conduct research on similar castle keeps around the world to compare architectural styles and historical contexts.
Book Recommendations
- The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli: A tale of a young boy's journey during medieval times, facing challenges and discovering courage near a castle.
- Castle Diary: The Journal of Tobias Burgess by Richard Platt: Follow Tobias, a fictional squire, as he chronicles life in and around a castle through vivid illustrations and engaging storytelling.
- Math Curse by Jon Scieszka: A humorous math-themed story that encourages readers to see math in the world around them, including in castle architecture.