Pistes d'exploration

Use this book as a reference for projects that need historical information.

Treasure hunt: Find interesting information and generate questions for a partner who must then find the answers by searching in the book. A true/false format can be used.

Find examples of features in the text and illustrations that are useful in non-fiction books. Why are there both photographs and pencil drawings?

Use as a reference book for projects which include elements of history.

Find information and practise creating wh__ questions, as well as yes/no questions. These can then be used in a treasure hunt through the book (or a section of it).

Choose a topic and create your own timeline, using the book as a model.

It is essential to become familiar with the diversity of ways information is presented (maps, timelines, infographics, sidebars, titles, images, etc.). Analyze a double-page spread and determine how to most effectively read the different text types in order to extract and synthesize information.

In small groups, choose and discuss one of the historical eras such as “Time for Change 1750-1850.” Consider how different text types offer different views of historical events and ideas.

Following the exploration of a historical era, use the featured information and a production process to create a narrative or explanatory text about a historical figure, event or aspect (such as “children in history”).

What period are you studying in your history course? In small teams, list facts you’ve learned so far for this period. Check the facts as presented in this book. Is anything controversial?

Choose a historical period of interest to you. With a partner, create a short podcast to present some of the featured facts.

Research a respected historical person, such as a former Canadian prime minister, and prepare a two-page spread. Use the book as a model for your non-fiction text.

The Romans: Gods, Emperors, and Dormice

Mots-clés

Non-fiction , current events , history , illustrations (photographs) , prehistory , time lines , world history

Commentaire descriptif

This encyclopedic book manages to condense 5000 years of history, and a little pre-history, into just over 300 pages. Although the book takes a global approach to history, providing some highlights of the great empires of South America and Asia, it presents mostly a Western perspective. Information is provided chronologically; each page, as part of one long timeline, covers a given set of years, clearly identifying the events, discoveries and figures of that period. The book is illustrated with over 1500 paintings, artifacts, photographs, maps and other graphics, each with a brief description, providing a highly visual and dynamic experience of history. Certain major events, such as the American Civil War and the Great Depression, have full-page spreads dedicated to these historical turning points. A special section profiles what life was like for children during certain periods, such as being a young girl during the Roman Empire, or growing up under Apartheid rule in South Africa. The language is clear and succinct. There is an extensive glossary and index at the end, as well as a timeline of Canadian and American history. Children will be entranced for hours and will refer to this book repeatedly over several years.