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Maine Sampler Part II

Remarkable Journal of Prince Jen
by Lloyd Alexander

Walker and Co, 1991

Summary: Young Prince Jen sets off from his father's court to find and study a remarkable kingdom where peace and harmony reign. Bearing six humble gifts for the ruler of that land, Prince Jen soon finds himself parted from his entourage, and involved in a series of misfortunes which truly test his spirit and his values. Seeming to be set in ancient China, many fantastical events occur to block Jen from his mission.

Level: IL: 5-8

Themes:

friendship/ kindness
perseverance
justice/ duty

Activities:
1. A. One of the aspects of life outside the palace that disturbed Prince Jen is the punishment of "crimes," or variations from society's norms. Keep track of each reference in your reading journal. Note page number. Leave two or three lines blank underneath.
B. Research Chinese history. During which dynasty(ies) could this story have taken place? (Optional: Research the consequences for deviant behavior in ancient China.) Share your results in small groups.
C. When you are finished with the book, go back and make suggestions (in the blank spaces) for Prince Jen about the best way to handle these situations. (Information Skills: location, selection, application. Thinking Skills: knowledge, comprehension, analysis, synthesis)

2. Reading Journal: In China, people pay special attention to the Year in which they were born. (Year of the Rabbit, Year of the Goat etc.) In what year were you born? What traits are you supposed to possess? Do you think they fit? Talk to five other people and ask if they would agree with their traits. In what year would you place Prince Jen? Why? Write your conclusions. (Information Skills: location. Thinking Skills: synthesis)

3 A. List five adjectives you would use to describe Jen's personality. B. Each chapter ends with suspended action or a "teaser" for the next chapter. Choose one and write a different sequel in your reading journal. Use at least three facts from the class research projects on display. Keep Prince Jen in the character (Part A). Read your chapter aloud to the class. (Information Skills: interpretation. Thinking Skills: application, synthesis)

4. Choose one of the following topics to research relating to historical or contemporary China:

  • clothing (robes)
  • food (tea)
  • music (flute)
  • kitesart (ink stick)
  • brassweapons (sword)
  • martial arts
  • festival
  • architecture
Make a large poster with labeled illustrations (similar to a spread in an Eyewitness book- sample on opposite page) to share the information with others in your room. (Optional: Borrow items from China for the display. ) (Information Skills: location, selection, interpretation. Thinking Skills: comprehension)

5. Chapter 24 details the magic bowl that multiplies gold. Bring a bowl from home. Using gold-covered chocolate coins, demonstrate to the class how the coins appeared each time Fat-choy went away. How many coins does the bowl hold? Using the same bowl, try the experiment with another type of coin. Make a graphic representation of the whole math problem to use in your demonstration. What size must this ideal bowl need to be? What might a gold coin be worth in ancient China? What other questions might the class ask? (Information Skills: selection, interpretation. Thinking Skills: comprehension, application)

Resources

Anno, Mitsumasa. Anno's Mysteriously Multiplying Jar. Putnam, 1983.
Graphically demonstrates the factorial principal. An excellent book to use with Fat-choy's bowl problem.

Caldecott, Barrie. Kites. Watts, 1990.
Text and photos introduce kite designs and the best material for constructing efficient kites.

Fyson, Nance Lui. A Family in China. Lerner. 1985.
Describes everyday life in MODERN China.

Feinstein, Stephen C. China in Pictures. Lerner. 1989.
Good historical information as well as material on contemporary China. Black and white photographs.

Gibbons, Gail. Catch the Wind: All About Kites. Little, Brown, 1989.
When two children visit a kite shop they learn to fly them. Instructions for building them are included.

Haskins, Jim. Count your Way through China. Carolrhoda, 1990.
A counting book which also illuminates the culture.

Kalman, Bobbie. China: The Culture. Crabtree, 1989.
China: The Land. Crabtree, 1989.
China: The People. Crabtree, 1989.
Excellent information and color pictures.

Keeler, Stephen. Passport to China, Watts, 1987.
Plenty of graphs, charts and photos enhance this information.

Pitkanen, Matti. Children of China. Carolrhoda, 1990.
Another contemporary book focuses on the youth.

Prepared by Abiail Garthwait, Asa Adams School