Instructions
Complete the activities for each subject below. The activities are based on the first two chapters of the book Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo.
English: Story Summary
In the space below, write a short summary of the first two chapters (6–8 sentences). Your summary must explain what has happened so far and include the following information:
- Who the main character is.
- Where and when the story is set.
- A prediction about what might happen next.
History: Life in the Past
The book is set in rural England over 100 years ago. Use clues from the first two chapters to answer the questions below about what life was like back then.
- The Peaceful family lives in a "tied cottage." What do you think this means, and what does it tell you about their position in society?
- The Colonel is the local landowner. Describe one way he shows his power and influence over the Peaceful family.
Art: Draw the Scene
Michael Morpurgo uses detailed descriptions to create a picture of the setting in the reader's mind. In the box below, draw the scene from the first chapter where Tommo's father is killed by the falling tree. Try to include details from the book, such as the "darkening church wood," the "great oak," and the weather.
Answer Key
English: Story Summary
(Answers will vary, but should be similar to the example below.)
The main character is a young boy named Tommo Peaceful, who is reflecting on his past. The story is set in a small, rural village in England before the First World War. In the first two chapters, we learn about his family: his older brothers Charlie and Big Joe, and his mother. Tragedy strikes when his father, who works as a forester, is killed in an accident with a falling tree, which Tommo feels responsible for. The family is threatened with eviction from their home by the cruel landowner, the Colonel, but they are allowed to stay. I predict that the tension with the Colonel will continue and that Tommo's guilt over his father's death will be an important part of the story.
History: Life in the Past
- A "tied cottage" is a home that is provided by an employer as part of a job. If you lose the job, you also lose your home. This shows that the Peaceful family is part of the working class and is very dependent on the wealthy landowner (the Colonel). They have very little power or security.
- The Colonel shows his power by immediately blaming Tommo's father for his own death and accusing him of poaching. He also has the power to evict the family from their home and threatens to do so, leaving them with nowhere to go. His visit after the funeral shows he controls their lives and expects them to be grateful to him.
Art: Draw the Scene
(This is a creative task, so there is no single correct answer.)
The drawing should visually represent the scene described in the book. Look for key details like:
- A dark, dense wood or forest setting.
- A very large tree (an oak) that is falling or has fallen.
- A figure representing Tommo's father near the tree.
- A small figure for young Tommo, possibly hiding or watching in fear.
- A sense of danger and darkness in the drawing's mood.