The Legend of Lyra©

Words to Know:

papyrus – a tall grass-like herb the ancient Egyptian, Greeks, and Romans used to make a kind of paper to write on.

Introduction:

There were times in the ancient Roman Empire when girls were not allowed to attend school. But a young girl named Lyra was determined to find a way.

Read Story Aloud:

Discussion:

Why did the Romans not want women to learn to read?

What reasoning caused Lyra’s father to change his mind and help her enter school?

What would have happened had Lyra’s disguise been discovered when she first entered school? Given the same situation as Lyra, would you have been brave enough to disguise yourself as she did?

What would life be like for you today if you could not read? If so, what type of job would you have?

Enrichment: (Optional)

Read the biography of Frederick Douglas, who was also an advocate for women's rights.

Character Traits: Define how these character traits relate in the story.