My nephew has just started a website called, and about, History for Kids which he uses to showcase his growing collection of bedtime stories, written in rhyme, and about aspects of history from the birth of the moon to men on the moon. What a lovely idea. The kids love 'em and they don't even realise they're being educated. Having written them he's presenting them to the World as a free (for non commercial use) resource to Mums (Moms) (Mams) and Dads and teachers
The beauty of writing in rhyme is that it is fun, light hearted and memorable. Because, as you know, I'm a doggerel writer myself he invited me yesterday to make a contribution which was very opportune because I knew I'd have a few hours to kill while I hung around hospital waiting rooms as my 84 year old mother went through a series of checks which involved, and I'm speaking in medical jargon here, putting delicate instruments into delicate places
So I wrote a history for kids poem. Being a Geordie I wrote about our UNESCO World Heritage site, Hadrian's Wall, a bit of which is pictured. So here goes
In 43ADThat's a long, long time agoThe Romans invaded BritainWhich is awful...isn't that so?
They took over England and WalesThey didn't want Scotland at all
And to stop the Scots from stealing the sheepThey built a very big wall
It stretched from the Solway Firth in the westTo the River Tyne in the eastA 70 mile wall would need lots of stones40 million at least
History for kids Hadrian's Wall
The Emperor was in charge of the workHadrian was his nameHe probably built lots of thingsBut his wall gave him lasting fame
It took 6 years to build the wallThere were no fancy machines back thenThey needed hundreds of horses to pull the cartsAnd thousands of working men
And every mile they built forts and turretsThat were very tallSo the soldiers could see any ScotsmenTrying to climb the wall
History for Kids, Hadrian's Wall
The wall lasted throughout the Romans' stay400 years, altogetherI wonder why they stayed so longIt couldn't have been the weather
It was 40 years after the Romans left
That the Britons again had to fightBecause the Saxons came from GermanyBut that's a story for another night
That the wall was very strongWould be fair to sayIt was built nearly 2000 years agoAnd it still stands today
History for Kids, Hadrian's Wall
Indeed, from all around the World
Tourists make a call
To the north end of BritainTo see the famous Hadrian's Wall
As now as you go to sleepThink about this great wallAnd wonder if this was the placeWhere Humpty had his great fall
Jon Bratton 2009
Want more, do you think?Then just click on the link
This History for Kids Hadrian's Wall poem and blog entry is copyright Jon Bratton 2009. Parents and teachers are welcome to use it for non commercial purposes and it may be used by www.history-for-kids.com who inspired its writing
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