Battle Boy – Chariot Charge Teachers Notes Introduction In Chariot Charge, Battle Boy 005 (Napoleon Smythe) is again spinning through time to spy on the past. In this battle Napoleon lands in 1274 BC in the desert in Syria. This is the Battle of Kadesh, the greatest chariot clash in history, between the Egyptians and Hittites. Despite his equipment being in need of repair and almost being buried alive in the tomb of Prince Terrepas, Napoleon successfully saves the boy Haprall, finds out who wins the battle between the Egyptians and the Hittites and protects the secret location of the tomb of Prince Terrepas. Curriculum Links HSIE: Significant People and Places English: Reading, Writing, Talking, Listening, Researching, Presenting Mathematics: Mapping, Measurement Science and Technology: Using Technology, Design and Make, Investigating Creative and Performing Arts: Drama, Drawing, Painting, Music ‐ percussion PDHPE: Interpersonal Relationships Learning Outcomes Students will have the opportunity to 
read texts independently and in groups 
respond to themes and issues in a text 
draw on a range of skills and strategies to read and comprehend a text 
analyse techniques used by authors to use language creatively 
explain the significance of particular people, actions and events in the past 
locate places on a map 
research a person and an event of historical significance 
use a computer program to present and display information as well as to research information 
design and make a chariot and a ziggurat 
write in different genres or text types Before You Read Look at the title and front cover of Chariot Charge. Work alone or in pairs and write a short paragraph suggesting what the story may be about. Read out your group’s ideas to the rest of the class and compare thoughts. Share your thoughts on other Battle Boy books you have read. Read the Book Read Chariot Charge as directed by your teacher in one of the following ways 
as a whole class 
in small reading groups 
individually Stop every now and then to re‐evaluate where you think the story may be heading. Discuss your ideas with a friend as well as parts of the story you like and why. After You Read Use the following questions to promote discussion of the book. Discuss these questions as a class or write the answers down. 1. Why did Battle Boy fall into the hole before he was ready for his mission (pp 5–
11)? What problems did this cause for his assignment (p 11)? 2. Who were the Hittites? Find out some interesting facts. 3. What were the two mysteries that Napoleon needed to solve (p 29)? 4. Where did Battle Boy end up when he squeezed through the crack in the wall (p 37)? 5. What is Napoleon’s Hittite name? What does it mean (pp 45–46)? 6. What was the difference between the Egyptian and Hittite chariots (p 50)? 7. What is a stalemate (p 59)? 8. What were some of the ways the Hittites mourned the death of Prince Terrepas (p 62)? 9. How did Napoleon save Haprall from drinking the poison (pp 80–81)? 10. What effect does the author’s note have on the story as a whole (p 89)? Classroom Activities Smart Similes The story has many similes such as ‘whistling like a kettle on the boil’ (page 1) and ‘The procession wound like a slithering snake’ (page 72). Write some of your own similes to finish these sentences. The Exit Beam shone like … The jewels sparkled like … The chariots charged like … A Shepherd’s Life Napoleon is disguised as a shepherd for his mission. Imagine you are a shepherd boy or girl at this time. Write a journal entry describing a typical day in your life. Clever Charting Use books, the internet or a world globe to find Syria and its surrounds. On a map of the world, mark on Syria, the Mediterranean Sea, Kadesh and the Orontes River. Find and list the map coordinates of the Orontes River and how long the river is. Battle Book 214 Napoleon is in Battle Book 214. Design a front cover including a title and illustration for Battle Book 214. What’s in a Name? Skin gives Napoleon the Hittite name ‘Ikbresh’ which means battle. Research and find out what your name means and its origin. Find out the meanings of the names of some of your family and friends. Cartoon Capers Look at page 13, which describes Napoleon’s bumpy landing. Create a cartoon strip illustrating Napoleon’s landing. Include speech bubbles for each picture. Storms, Thunder and Earthquakes When Napoleon lands in the dry, rocky desert he thinks he sees a desert storm, hears thunder and feels an earthquake (pages 15–16). Use paper and paints to portray what Napoleon sees, percussion instruments to portray what he hears and think of a creative way to show how the earthquake feels. Chariot Charge Look at pictures of Hittite and Egyptian chariots in books and on the internet. Work in pairs to design and make your own chariot using art, craft and recyclable materials. S‐S‐Scary things Napoleon is scared of things that begin with ‘s’ such as small spaces, spiders and scorpions (page 35). List some other creatures or scary things that begin with ‘s’. Pharaoh Pharaoh Work in small groups to research different Egyptian pharaohs. You may choose Ramses or another pharaoh. Include all the interesting facts you can find. Two Sides Napoleon says ‘My mum says there are always two sides to every story’ (page 53). Write the meaning of this sentence in your own words. Give some examples of when there are two sides to the story. In pairs, find a story in a newspaper and retell the story from different points of view. Awesome Archaeologists Use books or the internet to find the job description of an archaeologist. Find out and write about the following: What do archaeologists do? How do you become an archaeologist? How is what we know about history helped by archaeologists? What are some things you know that archaeologists have discovered? Other interesting facts Zany Ziggurats The Hittites were known for the construction of ziggurats. Research ziggurats including what they were for, how they were constructed and when they date from. Compare ziggurats to pyramids. Present your information as a PowerPoint display or as a poster. Design and make your own ziggurat using recyclable materials. Jolly Jewels Sketch Prince Terrepas’ burial casket with its sparkling jewels and treasures (page 76). Discuss how today’s burial practices are similar to and different from those in 1274 BC. If I were Rich Napoleon dreams about what he would buy with the Prince’s treasure (page 85). Imagine what you would buy with this amount of money. Put your wish list in order. A Friend Indeed Haprall calls Napoleon a true friend when Napoleon decides to delete the coordinates of Prince Terrepas’ burial site (page 86). Why is Napoleon being a true friend here? Discuss with a classmate the meaning of a true friend giving examples and reasons for your responses.