Lesson Plan: Be Robin Hood for a Day!

Materials Needed

• Large sheet of paper or poster board
• Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
• Notebook paper and a pencil or pen
• For the Catapult:
  • 10-15 craft sticks (popsicle sticks)
  • 5-7 sturdy rubber bands
  • A plastic bottle cap or spoon
  • Small, soft projectiles (e.g., mini marshmallows, pom-poms, or small, wadded-up paper balls)
• Optional: A favorite version of the Robin Hood story (book or short video) to reference

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to:

• Analyze the character traits of a hero and create a "Hero's Code" based on their analysis.
• Apply basic engineering principles to design, build, and test a simple catapult.
• Demonstrate persuasive thinking by creating a "Wanted" poster that presents a clear point of view.
• Develop a short narrative by writing a new adventure for Robin Hood and his Merry Men.

Lesson Procedure

Part 1: The Hero's Code (15 minutes)

1. Discussion: Start with a conversation. Ask, "What makes Robin Hood a hero? Was he just a thief, or was he something more? What are the rules a hero like Robin Hood might live by?" Brainstorm words that describe him (e.g., brave, clever, fair, generous, outlaw).
2. Create the Code: On a large sheet of paper, create a title: "Robin Hood's Hero Code." Based on the discussion, help the student write 3-5 rules for Robin Hood and his Merry Men. For example:
   • Rule #1: We only take from the rich who are greedy.
   • Rule #2: We always give to the poor who are in need.
   • Rule #3: We use our wits before our weapons.
   • Rule #4: We are loyal to our friends and our cause.
3. Connect to Self: Ask, "Which of these rules would be a good rule for anyone to follow? Why?"

Differentiation:

• Support: Provide sentence starters for the code, such as "A Merry Man always..." or "We will never..."
• Challenge: Ask the student to write a contrasting "Villain's Code" for the Sheriff of Nottingham.

Part 2: Build a Sherwood Forest Catapult (30 minutes)

1. Introduction: Explain that Robin Hood and his friends lived in the forest and had to be clever, using simple materials to defend themselves or send messages. Today, the student will be an engineer for the Merry Men and build a catapult.
2. Construction:
   • Make the base: Stack 8 craft sticks together and wrap a rubber band tightly around each end.
   • Make the launch arm: Stack 2 craft sticks together and wrap a rubber band around one end only.
   • Combine: Gently pull the two sticks of the launch arm apart and slide the base stack between them, close to the rubber band.
   • Attach the holder: Secure the plastic bottle cap (or the bowl of a plastic spoon) to the top end of the launch arm with another rubber band or glue.
   • Secure the catapult: Crisscross a final rubber band around the point where the base and the launch arm meet to hold them firmly in place.
3. Testing and Refining: Set up a "castle" target (e.g., a shoebox or a stack of blocks). Let the student test their catapult with the soft projectiles. Encourage them to experiment: "What happens if you move the base forward or backward? What if you use a different projectile?"

Differentiation:

• Support: Build the catapult step-by-step alongside the student, providing direct guidance.
• Challenge: Encourage the student to design their own catapult variation or create a challenge to see how far or how accurately it can launch. Have them draw a diagram of their design and label the parts.

Part 3: Hero or Villain? The Wanted Poster (20 minutes)

1. Set the Scene: Explain that the Sheriff of Nottingham would see Robin Hood as a criminal. His "Wanted" poster would be very different from a poster made by the poor villagers. The student gets to choose which poster to make.
2. Choose a Perspective: Ask the student: "Are you creating a poster for the Sheriff, demanding Robin Hood's capture? Or are you creating one for the villagers, celebrating him as a hero?"
3. Create the Poster: On a sheet of paper, the student will:
   • Draw a picture of Robin Hood from their chosen perspective (sneaky and criminal, or brave and heroic).
   • Write "WANTED" or "HERO OF THE PEOPLE" at the top.
   • List his "crimes" (e.g., "stealing from the royal treasury") or his "good deeds" (e.g., "feeding the hungry").
   • Include a reward, either for his capture or for helping him.

Differentiation:

• Support: Help brainstorm words and phrases for the poster that fit the chosen perspective.
• Challenge: Ask the student to write a short paragraph on the back of the poster explaining and defending their point of view.

Part 4: An Adventure for the Merry Men (Creative Writing - Optional Extension)

1. Prompt: Tell the student: "Now it's your turn to tell a story! Write a short adventure about Robin Hood, Little John, and the Merry Men. What kind of trouble do they get into, and how do their cleverness and their 'Hero's Code' help them solve the problem?"
2. Story Ideas:
   • They need to sneak into Nottingham castle to rescue a friend.
   • They discover a plan by the Sheriff to trick the villagers and must find a way to stop him.
   • They enter an archery contest in disguise.
3. Write the Story: Using notebook paper, the student writes or dictates their story. Encourage them to include at least one action that follows a rule from the "Hero's Code" they created in Part 1.

Differentiation:

• Support: The student can draw the story as a comic strip with captions instead of writing a full narrative.
• Challenge: Encourage the student to include dialogue between the characters and use descriptive language to paint a picture of Sherwood Forest.

Wrap-Up and Assessment

Show and Tell (5 minutes):

Have the student present their work. Let them:

• Read their "Hero's Code" aloud.
• Demonstrate their catapult and explain how it works.
• Show their "Wanted" poster and explain the perspective they chose.
• Share their creative story, if completed.

Assessment:

Review the student's work based on the learning objectives. The lesson is successful if the student has:

• Created a clear "Hero's Code" that reflects the character of Robin Hood.
• Successfully built a working catapult.
• Designed a "Wanted" poster with a clear point of view.
• Applied their understanding of the character in a creative format.

The focus is on engagement, creativity, and application of ideas, not on a perfect final product.