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Reading schedule · Grades 3–6

King Arthur and His Knights in 4 Weeks: A Reading Schedule

A four-week plan for reading The Story of King Arthur and His Knights by Howard Pyle, one section a week. Each week gives the reading, a short summary of what happens, three discussion questions and the escape room that goes with it. For grades 3–6, in class or at home.

Pacing

At the grammar stage (grades 3–6) short, regular readings work better than long ones. Many families read aloud together and ask children to tell back what they heard before talking about the questions. Each week covers one section; if a section feels long, take two weeks over it and keep the escape room for the end.

Each week ends with an escape room on that week's reading: seven self-checking locks that run in any browser, with no logins, and progress is saved, so a room can be finished another day. Every room has free taster locks to try, and members can open them all.

Print this schedule Escape rooms on King Arthur and His Knights

Week 1: The Winning of Kinghood

Read: The Winning of Kinghood

After the death of Uther-Pendragon, Britain has no king, and Merlin sets a sword in an anvil. At a tournament Sir Kay breaks his sword and sends young Arthur to find another, Arthur draws the sword from the anvil, and in time Britain comes to accept him as its king.

Discussion questions

1. Why does Merlin use a sword in an anvil to choose the king?
2. How does Arthur behave when he learns who he is?
3. Why are some lords unwilling to accept him?

Escape room: The Sword in the Anvil (lockedlessons.com/rooms/king-arthur-the-winning-of-kinghood/)

Week 2: The Winning of a Sword and a Queen

Read: The Winning of a Sword and a Queen

Arthur fights the Sable Knight, and the Lady of the Lake gives him Excalibur. Disguised as a gardener's boy at Cameliard, he fights for King Leodegrance and wins and marries the Lady Guinevere.

Discussion questions

1. Why is the gift of Excalibur important?
2. Why does Arthur hide who he is at Cameliard?
3. What makes Arthur a good knight as well as a good king?

Escape room: The White Champion (lockedlessons.com/rooms/king-arthur-the-winning-of-a-sword-and-a-queen/)

Week 3: Merlin and Sir Pellias

Read: Merlin and Sir Pellias

Morgana le Fay is angry with Arthur, and the enchantress Vivien uses a ring to bind Merlin. Arthur fights at the castle of Sir Domas le Noir, Excalibur's sheath is stolen, and Sir Pellias rides on a quest to Grantmesnle wearing the Lady of the Lake's necklace.

Discussion questions

1. How does Vivien get the better of Merlin?
2. Why is the loss of the sheath so serious?
3. What qualities does Sir Pellias show on his quest?

Escape room: The Valley of Joyousness (lockedlessons.com/rooms/king-arthur-merlin-and-sir-pellias/)

Week 4: Sir Gawaine

Read: Sir Gawaine

A white hart and a white hound bring adventure to the court, and Gawaine fights Sir Ablamor. Arthur has an adventure in the castle of the Knight-Enchanter, an old woman of the forest plays her part, and the tale ends with Gawaine's wedding.

Discussion questions

1. What does Gawaine learn from his first adventure?
2. What does this tale say about keeping promises?
3. How is Gawaine different from the other knights we have met?

Escape room: A Year and a Day (lockedlessons.com/rooms/king-arthur-sir-gawaine/)