Inspired by: The Emperor of Absurdia - Week 6

Inspired by the whimsical world of "The Emperor of Absurdia," students delve into the nuances of English grammar, focusing on the possessive apostrophe with singular nouns. The activity encourages them to rephrase a line from Robert Louis Stevenson's poem "The Moon," exploring different ways to convey the same meaning while maintaining the use of the possessive form. For example, the original line "The moon has a face like the clock in the hall" can be rewritten as "The moon’s face is like a clock on the wall." Students are prompted to compare these sentences, discuss their preferences, and create their own sentences that demonstrate the correct use of the singular possessive apostrophe.

Another aspect of the learning journey involves the art of inquiry, where students are tasked with asking questions to deepen their understanding of the text. Through discussion and exploration of the dream-like narrative, they ponder the ending of the book, the true dreamer's identity, and the connections between the dream world and real life. This analytical approach extends to creating their narratives about the Emperor's quest for his Snuggly Scarf. They are challenged to write clearly and avoid ambiguity, particularly when using pronouns, to ensure the reader can follow the story without confusion. The quest theme is further developed as students are inspired to weave their tales involving journeys, fantasy settings, extraordinary characters, challenges, and the retrieval of the lost Snuggly Scarf, drawing on their knowledge of other famous quests in literature.