Teaching Links Common Core State Standards
Correlations and Activities
Book: King Arthur: The Sword in the Stone
Author/Illustrator: Hudson Talbott
Subject: Fiction/History
Suggested Grade Levels: 3-5
Common Core Links
Reading:
RL.5.3. Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on
specific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact).
RL.4.4. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to
significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean).
RL.3.6. Distinguish their own point of view from that of the narrator or those of the characters.
Writing:
W.3.2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
W.4.8. Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital
sources; take notes and categorize information, and provide a list of sources.
W.5.9. Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
Speaking and Listening:
SL.4.1. Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with
diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Language:
L.5.3. Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
Learning Links Ideas to extend the learning with Common Core links:
Have students compare Sir Kay and Arthur. What characteristics do they both possess and what characteristics
are unique to each? Have them create a Venn Diagram using textual evidence in the form of words, pictures,
and quotes from the text.
Consider the use of language in the text. How does it differ from other fictional tales you have read? Use
evidence from the text to support your thinking. (A sample student response might be: The author uses more
formal English than I am used to. An example of this is “The stadium for the event was the grandest ever built.”
The word “grandest” is not used very often in other stories that I have read.)
Ask students to discuss what they would have done if they were put in Arthur’s situation. Would they have
pulled the sword out of the stone or would they have told Kay the truth about forgetting the sword. Have them
explain their thinking.
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