Knights of the Kitchen Table

This book is the first in the Time Warp Trio series by Jon Scieszka.  I have read and enjoyed many of them and my students have enjoyed this one as a read aloud.  Knights of the Kitchen Table begins with Joe receiving a birthday present from his uncle, the magician.  It is a book, but not just any book.  It's The Book.  As the boys look at it, green mist starts to swirl around and they are transported back to the time of King Arthur and Merlin.  The boys must fight a knight and help the kingdom get rid of a dragon and a giant before they can find The Book and find their way home.

It is a short book that you could probably finish in ten sessions or less.  The writing is great and is guaranteed to make your students laugh out loud!  Specifically, the description of the giant is wonderful and would be great to use to teach snapshot writing or descriptions.  You could read that section to your students and have them draw a picture of what it describes.  You could also have them draw their own giant and write a description.  Mix up the pictures and have the other students match the written description to the picture.

These books are so amusing and wonderful for geting students interested in history.  I've also used Sam Samurai in my literature groups.  One great feature of this series is that it's not too hard to read them out of order, each has it's own plot and can be enjoyed independently.  I hope you introduce your students to this trio of funny boys!

Extra Resources:

Time Warp Trio site for the Cartoon - http://www.timewarptrio.com/
It includes games and teaching guides.

Lesson Plans/Study Guides for many Jon Scieszka books - http://litplans.com/authors/Jon_Scieszka.html