Books of in-depth study to match history lessons:
Boy of the Pyramids is the heartwarming story of the unlikely friendship that forms between an Egyptian nobleman’s son, Kaffe, and Sari, a slave girl from the Sinai region. Together, they come to understand each other’s cultures, learn the traditions and farming methods of the people who live along the Nile, uncover foul play during a bullfight, and themselves in danger while seeking adventure, understand Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife, and ultimately solve the mystery that is woven throughout the tale. This is an engaging story of family love, compassion, sacrifice, bravery, loyalty, and adventure!
100 pages
When a simple farm boy befriends a strange and beautiful horse that has wandered onto the lands of Abbey St. Simon, the boy cannot begin to imagine the adventures he will have upon its back. As all of Christendom hangs in the balance, young Hugh embarks on a mission with unfaltering bravery and a sense of duty that will leave even the most powerful leaders and hardened warriors awestruck. Against all odds, Hugh is determined to save his people from the Saracens, with help from one of their very own majestic steeds.
“Set in the tumultuous times of the Crusades, this beautifully written story is an example of how a book can portray a violent time period without graphic details and can powerfully contrast right and wrong while remaining completely uplifting and appropriate. This adventurous tale has everything that makes a book good and beautiful: high moral and educational value, exemplary writing, and an intriguing plot.” —Jenny Phillips
247 pages
The book begins aboard the Mayflower and follows the Pilgrims through their first winter in the New World. American history teacher Rush Revere time-travels with two middle school students to see American history first-hand. Always riding along with him is his trusty talking horse Liberty, who is hungry for knowledge – and food! This time-traveling crew build forts, sword fight, explore, and speak with exceptional people like Squanto and William Bradford, and witness the First Thanksgiving!
212 pages
American Exceptionalism says that America is special because it’s unique in the history of the world; that we alone are built upon the concepts of true freedom and individual liberty. But what is it about our history that gave us these values?
Go back in time with “Rush Revere” and his talking, time-portal-jumping horse “Liberty” and find out! “Rush Revere” brings his entire classroom back in time to learn the real truths about the first patriots, including Benjamin Franklin, Patrick Henry, and others who fought back against the Stamp Act and in the American Revolution.
240 pages
Join Rush Revere, his wisecracking horse Liberty, and friends Cam, Tommy, and Freedom, as they’re off to meet some super-brave soldiers in the year 1775. Yep, that’s right. They’ll be visiting with the underdog heroes who fought for American independence, against all odds-and won!
Become a part of Rush Revere’s crew as they rush, rush, rush into a time when British rule had become a royal pain, and rebellion was in the air. You’ll be on hand to see two lanterns hung in the Old North Church, prevent a British spy from capturing Paul Revere, and grapple with danger at the battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill!
256 pages.
Go back in time with “Rush Revere” and his talking, time-portal-jumping horse “Liberty” as they dive back in time to witness the fight for American freedom on the floors of Congress and the battlements of Fort McHenry. See Dolley Madison rescue the important painting of George Washington before fleeing the fires that they British set, find out why George Mason was upset at the Constitutional Convention, when the War of 1812 was found, why James Madison became the Father of the Constitution, and more! 222 pages.
When one of the time-traveling crew is running for student-body president at Manchester Middle School, Rush Revere takes them back in history to witness the election and leadership of our first three presidents. 256 pages.
Every day in our class will be filled with fun comprehension games, reader's theater, and fun extension activities to bring the story to life! Pre-class reading assignment: Please read chapters 1-3 in Night of the Ninjas Week 1 What’s a Ninja? • Learn to say and write hello in Japanese *. Anticipation guide • Readers Theater Ch 3 • Discussion: Ninjas and Samurai • Japanese tea party and Haiku Poems • Homework: Night of the Ninjas Ch 4-5, Ninjas and Samurai Fact Tracker Ch 5 Week 2: Captured! • Kahoot Comprehension Game • Reader’s Theater ch 4 • Discussion: Shadow Warriors • Activity: Japanese Lanterns with Haiku Poem • Homework: Night of the Ninjas Ch 6-7, Ninjas and Samurai Fact Tracker Ch 6 Week 3: Shadow Warrior • Kahoot Comprehension Game • Reader’s Theater ch 6-7 • Discussion: The Art of Being Sneaky * Sneaky charades activity • Homework: Night of the Ninjas ch 8-10, Ninjas and Samurai Fact Tracker Ch 2 Week 4 Mouse Walk • Kahoot Comprehension Game • Reader’s Theater ch 9 • Discussion: Life of a Samurai • Samurai Test of strength: Hold your hands in ice water! • Activity: Mouse Walk on a String • Craft: Moonstone painting
Knight at Dawn is the second book in the Magic Treehouse series and this class is the second in a series of classes that will run consecutively throughout the year on Outschool in addition to requests at other times. It can be taken as a class by itself, or as part of the series. Additionally, there is a companion class for students who could use extra support with fluency and decoding called Magic Treehouse Extra Skills Practice: Knight at Dawn. I also offer a full semester course entitled Magic Treehouse Adventures: Semester 1 which covers the first four books. There is also a full semester Magic Treehouse Extra Skills Practice course which runs along with the full semester Magic Treehouse Adventures: Semester 1 for students who need more support with fluency and decoding. In this class, we will be focusing on comprehension and vocabulary with an emphasis on fun, engaging activities that bring the story to life. I am a firm believer that learning needs to be fun! Class 1 Introductions Reading and Discussion Who was King Arthur? King Arthur video with listening guide Heraldry Activity: Create your own shield Homework: Read Knight at Dawn chapters 1-5 Class 2 Kahoot Game: Chapters 1-5 Knight at Dawn Discussion questions Powerpoint: Castle Vocabulary Pictionary Game with Castle vocabulary Homework: Finish book (Chapters 6-10) Class 3 Kahoot: Chapters 6-10 Reader’s Theater script: Knight at Dawn Book Discussion Choose research topics: Castle jobs, Knights, Castle life or other medieval topics from Knights and Castles book Homework: Complete research about your chosen topic to share with the class next week Class 4 Kahoot with review questions about Castles Student Research presentations Look inside a Medieval castle Compare and Contrast Medieval Times with Today
Independent Reading Log:
- Stage Fright on Summer Night
- Vacation Under the Volcano
- Ghost Town at Sundown
- Dragon of the Red Dawn
- Lions at Lunchtime
- High Tide in Hawaii
- Carnival at Candlelight
- Thanksgiving on Thursday
- Dinosaurs Before Dark
- Abe Lincoln at Last
- It’s Creepy!
- I’m Gonna Get You!
- Tell No One!
- The Chicken Squad
- A Crazy Day with Cobras
- Monday with a Mad Genius
- Night of the Ninjas
- Flat Stanley Series
- Creature Campers Books
- Kitty and Dragon Books
- Cat Ninja Tales
- Bark Park Books
- The Sinking of Captain Otter
- Comets and Meteors
- The Kettleship Pirates
- The Good Pirate
- The Bad Pirate
- Ghost Detectors Series
- Eight Days Gone
- The International Space Station
- Hammerhead Sharks in Action