The Wooden Drum Level 21-22

The Wooden Drum tells a moving story of change, memory, and tradition in a village where a beloved wooden drum-once used to communicate across the community-has been replaced by a new metal bell. As the old drum decays, the narrator reflects on the power of sound, shared memory, and community connection. Readers will explore how language evokes emotion, particularly through metaphors and personification. The story also helps children grapple with the inevitability of change, the value of heritage, and the emotional weight of letting go. Language features such as descriptive verbs, sound words, and shifts in tense provide strong learning opportunities. With its rich language and theme, this book serves as a springboard for discussions on tradition, technology, and storytelling.

Educational Benefits:

• Introduces figurative language and its emotional effects.
• Develops inferential thinking around change and nostalgia.
• Enhances understanding of tense and grammatical structures.
• Builds vocabulary through sound-related and descriptive words.

Classroom Ideas:

• Create sound maps of students' communities.
• Compare the use of traditional and modern communication tools.
• Write a narrative about an object with sentimental value.
• Explore onomatopoeia and descriptive verbs through poetry writing.

Safety & Information:

• Suitable for ages 8+
• Book size: 200mm x 210mm
• Softcover, 24 pages
• No small parts or hazardous materials