The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Harnessing the Wind: A Timeline”

In this activity, students will work in groups to design a timeline of crucial events that eventually lead to the successful construction of the windmill.

In the text, William experiences multiple pivotal moments that inspire him to build the windmill and renew his focus to ensure its completion. With a group, create a timeline of the key events that lead to William’s successful completion of the windmill. Each timeline entry should include:

• Dates (approximate if no specific date is listed)
• A description of the crucial event
• An explanation of why the event was crucial to the eventual success of the windmill

Present your timeline to the class. Then, after each group has presented, write a brief reflection about which of the pivotal moments you believe was the most transformational for William.

Teaching Suggestion: This activity is ideal for students to complete in small groups. Each person can be responsible for creating the entry for one crucial event.

 Differentiation Suggestion: Visual learners may wish to illustrate their group’s timeline with vignettes from the various milestones.