The Way It Was Level 9-11

In The Way It Was, readers follow a young girl as she compares aspects of her modern-day life with those of her great-grandmother's childhood. Set against the backdrop of the 1910-1920 period, this story provides a rich, intergenerational perspective through a first-person narrative. The engaging text is paired with illustrations that alternate between sepia tones and vibrant colours, visually reinforcing the contrast between past and present. This book is ideal for exploring the comprehension strategies of comparing and contrasting, as well as drawing conclusions. Featuring indicators of time such as œonce a week and œwhen it gets dark, the story supports historical understanding while maintaining a personal and humorous tone. The use of irregular past-tense verbs, compound words, ellipses, and varied sentence structures adds depth to language development and encourages discussion around family history and changing lifestyles.

Educational Benefits:

• Develops historical awareness through personal narrative and visual contrasts
• Supports comprehension strategies like comparing and contrasting, and drawing conclusions
• Introduces time indicators and past/present tense usage in context
• Encourages vocabulary development with compound words and irregular verbs

Classroom Ideas:

• Create a class Venn diagram comparing life now with life in the early 1900s
• Invite students to interview grandparents or older relatives and share comparisons
• Use the book as a springboard for diary writing in the style of the great-grandmother
• Discuss the use of illustrations to show changes over time

Safety & Information:

• Suggested Age: 6-8 years
• Book Size: 210mm x 170mm
• Reading Level: 9-11 (Blue)
• Safe for classroom use with no small parts or hazards