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.

“The Queen’s Jewelry”

In this activity, students will construct the jewelry that the Queen commissions from Ranofer; each piece of jewelry will include a symbolic representation of a challenge Ranofer endures to achieve his dream.

At the novel’s conclusion, the Queen is moved by Ranofer’s hopes and dreams. She provides Ranofer with a donkey and commissions him to construct jewelry for her as he works for Zau.

• Research jewelry from ancient Egypt and construct a piece of jewelry that has symbolic meaning for Ranofer’s journey based on details from the novel. Think about Ranofer’s conflicts and challenges, how he worked to overcome them, and ways to represent one of his challenges as a symbol or image on your piece of jewelry.
• You might use jewelry craft supplies, but you can also think outside the box and use recyclables, supplies your household has on hand, and unconventional items.
• Present your piece of jewelry to the class and explain your choices in the creation of the project; clarify how the text inspired your design.

In your reading journal or notes, sketch the pieces of jewelry created by classmates as they present, and add a summary statement on the symbolic meaning of each piece.