Instructions
Read the passage below about the famous Book of Kells. Then, use the information to complete the activities that follow.
Discover the Book of Kells
Imagine a book so beautiful and precious it took many years to create. This is the Book of Kells! Made around the year 800 AD by dedicated monks, it's not just any book. It's a manuscript, meaning it was written entirely by hand. The Book of Kells contains the four Gospels from the Bible, written in Latin on pages made of vellum (specially prepared calfskin).
What makes it truly famous is its breathtaking decoration, called illumination. The pages are filled with vibrant colors and incredibly detailed drawings of twisting Celtic knots, playful animals, and portraits of saints. It is a masterpiece of art and calligraphy (beautiful handwriting) and is now kept safe in Dublin, Ireland for everyone to admire.
Activity 1: Fact or Fiction?
Read each statement below. Circle or write "Fact" if it's true and "Fiction" if it's false.
- The Book of Kells was printed on a machine. _______________
- The book was created by monks around 800 AD. _______________
- The pages are made of regular paper. _______________
- "Illumination" refers to the beautiful decorations in the book. _______________
- The Book of Kells is written in English. _______________
Activity 2: Vocabulary Match-Up
Draw a line to match the word on the left with its correct meaning on the right.
| Manuscript | Animal skin prepared for writing on. |
| Vellum | The art of decorating a book with bright colors and designs. |
| Illumination | Religious men who live and work in a monastery. |
| Calligraphy | A book written entirely by hand. |
| Monks | The art of beautiful and decorative handwriting. |
Activity 3: Creative Corner - Design an Illuminated Letter!
The monks who made the Book of Kells often decorated the first letter of a chapter in a very fancy style. In the box below, choose a letter (maybe the first letter of your name!) and decorate it. Use twisting lines, clever knots, patterns, and maybe even a hidden animal, just like the monks did.
Activity 4: Word Scramble
Unscramble these words from the reading passage.
- KSONM: ____________________
- LLUVEM: ____________________
- TACPINRSUM: ____________________
- SELK: ____________________
- LLACIGRPAHY: ____________________
Answer Key
Activity 1: Fact or Fiction?
- Fiction
- Fact
- Fiction
- Fact
- Fiction
Activity 2: Vocabulary Match-Up
- Manuscript: A book written entirely by hand.
- Vellum: Animal skin prepared for writing on.
- Illumination: The art of decorating a book with bright colors and designs.
- Calligraphy: The art of beautiful and decorative handwriting.
- Monks: Religious men who live and work in a monastery.
Activity 4: Word Scramble
- KSONM: MONKS
- LLUVEM: VELLUM
- TACPINRSUM: MANUSCRIPT
- SELK: KELLS
- LLACIGRPAHY: CALLIGRAPHY