Theme: Ancient Times

This unit includes traditional legends, fairy tales, adventure tales set in years gone by, knights, ancient magic, superstitions and more.

It is vital for teachers to understand the Ziptales 10 stage Reading Scheme, which governs how reading groups can be formed in a way which matches children’s abilities to the appropriate texts. To check on this essential resource - click here.

The 10 Zip Stages cover all levels of reading ability, from Foundation/Prep/Kindergarten through to Year 6. This scheme underpins the whole Themes module.

Learning Components

Focus Stories Comprehension Conventions Writing Speaking & Listening Extension
Zip Stage 3
Stories from long ago
5 titles
(Junior Readers) 		Worksheet #2:
Story Focus 		Worksheet #1:
Spelling/Grammar Focus 		Write a report about an animal from the story OR use an animal from the story in your own narrative. Act out the story to an audience using the script provided. Research some facts about the ancient history of the story’s country of origin.
Zip Stage 4
Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Rapunzel
(Timeless Tales) 		Multiple Choice Questions Worksheets

Worksheet #2:
Ordering Events 		Worksheet #1:
Grammar Focus 		Write a narrative text set in a castle long ago. Use the supplied scripts (found here) to read orally as Reader’s Theatre. Design an informative poster about a famous castle.
Zip Stage 5
The Forgotten Pharaoh
(Adventure) 		Retell the story in comic strip style General Worksheet #1:
We Love Our Plurals! 		General Worksheet #2:
Talk Like an Egyptian 		Group Activity
General Worksheet #4:
Create a 3D Shape 		General Worksheet #3:
Luke’s Photo Album
Zip Stage 6
Medusa
(Myths & Legends) 		General Worksheet #3:
The Road To Victory 		General Worksheet #1:
Similar Synonyms 		Create a fact file about one of the Gods or Goddesses from General Worksheet #4 In pairs, complete
General Worksheet #2:
Who Am I? 		Design and/or create a model of an ancient Greek building.
Zip Stage 6
The Minotaur and the Maze
(Myths & Legends) 		Retell in your own words how Theseus defeated the Minotaur. General Worksheet #1:
A‘maze’ing Spelling Rules 		General Worksheet #3:
Write Your Own Myth 		Present a short speech trying to convince a minotaur why he should not eat you. General Worksheet #2:
Can You Speak Greek?
Zip Stage 6
The Magic Statue
(Myths & Legends) 		General Worksheet #2:
Myths and Morals 		Study the ‘ph’ sound as in ‘Aphrodite’ General Worksheet #1:
Make a Friend 		Present an oral report about a real life famous sculptor. Create an informative poster about Aphrodite.
Zip Stage 7
The Enchanted Princess
(Fairy Tales) 		General Worksheet #2:
Spot the Difference 		General Worksheet #1:
Adding Information 		Write an adventure story about a mysterious castle in a far off land. Share answers from General Worksheet #3 within a small group. Explore other fairy tales by Ludwig Bechstein and choose one to retell.
Zip Stage 8
The Magic Arrow
(Fairy Tales) 		General Worksheet #2:
Create a Character Web 		General Worksheet #1:
Look Who’s Talking 		General Worksheet #3:
Island in the Sun 		In a small group, create a role play about a magic object. Research the Indonesian God ‘Batara Guru’.
Zip Stage 8
The Mummy’s Curse
(True Tales) 		General Worksheet #2:
A Warning Ignored 		General Worksheet #1:
The Prefix Principle 		Write an explanation text about the process of mummification. Present an oral report about Tutankhamun. Design a brochure advertising ‘The Valley of the Kings’.
Zip Stage 9
Superstitions
(Information –
Advanced Library) 		Locate evidence from the text summarise how the author feels about superstitions. Worksheet #1:
Super-Prefixes
Complete Tasks 1 & 2 		Extension Activities from Worksheet #1
OR Worksheet #2
(2nd dot point) 		Worksheet #2
Work with a partner to complete the Extension Activity (1st dot point) 		Worksheet #2:
Cultural Superstitions
Complete Task 1
Zip Stage 9
The Pyramids
(Expository –
Advanced Library) 		Design a flowchart that explains the process of building a pyramid. Choose 15 difficult words to create a glossary for this text. Worksheet #1:
Religious Beliefs 		Worksheet #2:
Construct a model pyramid then present it to an audience 		Worksheet #2:
Extension Activities
Zip Stage 9
Three Wishes
(Horror –
Advanced Library) 		Compare this story to the other Three Wishes (Fantasy). Worksheet #1:
Effective Adverbs 		Worksheet #2:
Follow the Plot 		Worksheet #2:
1st Extension Activity Share jokes with others. 		Design a flowchart showing the process of mummification.
Zip Stage 9
The Stones
(People & Values –
Advanced Library) 		Worksheet #1:
Who’s Telling this Story?
(Tasks 1 & 2) 		Locate examples of the different uses of the homophones your and you’re in the story. Extension Activities from Worksheet #1:
OR Worksheet #2:
(2nd dot point) 		Worksheet #2:
The Power of the Stone
(Tasks 1 & 2) 		Worksheet #2:
Extension Activity
(1st dot point)
Ancient beliefs
Zip Stage 10
Black Knight
(Horror –
Advanced Library) 		Worksheet #1:
Studying the Subtext 		Worksheet #1:
Extension Activity
Metaphorical Language 		Worksheet #2:
Extension Activities
Write an informative or argument Text 		Worksheet #2:
The History of Halloween 		Create a fact file about a knight’s suit of armour.


Assessment Ideas

Spelling/Grammar
  • Generate a spelling list for students to learn using words related to ancient times such as: mummy, tomb, pyramid, ancient, myth, legend, gods, goddesses, hieroglyphics, castle, prince, and princess.
  • Study the spelling rule i before e except after c as demonstrated in words such as hieroglyphics and received. Use the word ancient as an example of an exception to the rule.
  • Use the Word Work and Spelling and Vocabulary Worksheets for the Reading Library genre stories to improve students’ spelling skills.
  • Select a passage from one of the on-line stories as dictation assessing use of punctuation.
Reading
  • Complete the Fill the Gaps and Multiple Choice questions at the end of the story (available for the Junior Readers, Reading Library and Advanced Library genre stories).
  • Use the Learning Support Worksheets for the Reading Library genre stories to practise a range of reading skills.
  • Complete a character profile about one of the characters from the on-line stories using the headings: Name, Characteristics, Likes and Dislikes.
  • Design a sociogram showing the relationship between the characters in one of the on-line stories.
Writing
  • Write narratives based on one of the following scenarios:
    You travel through time and find yourself in ancient Egypt. Write about your experiences.
    OR:
    You are at an ancient archaeological site and discover a hidden entrance. What is on the other side?
  • Write an explanation text using the title: How to build a pyramid.
Oral Language
  • Plan, construct and orally present a 3D model of an ancient building e.g. a pyramid, a castle.
  • Explore the symbols the ancient Egyptians used in their paintings (hieroglyphics) and design your own code for a fellow class member to decipher.
  • Present an oral report about an ancient civilization (e.g. Egypt, Greece) and include facts such as clothing, beliefs, housing, food and recreation.
Related Ziptales Activities:

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