Compare and Contrast! The student will read two short pieces of writing describing storms (included). A list of relevant topics for a ‘compare and contrast’ essay is included. The student will choose three topics that they feel are interesting, and write an essay in which they briefly address how those elements differ in each story. Detailed guidelines are given. This assignment will take at least one week to complete. Here’s an easy and efficient way to practise essay writing, without having to commit to reading an entire novel or play before getting started! Texts: ‘Storm’ by Charles Dickens This excerpt from David Copperfield describes the dramatic effects of a seaside storm. ‘Squall’ by Leonora Speyer This poem describes a short storm that leaves nature refreshed. TIP! This may be a good choice for a student with an interest in outdoor adventuring or who loves nature.

What if you could actually talk with your favourite pet? Or live in the wild with your favourite wild animals? In this classic short story, Roald Dahl tells the compelling tale of a young boy who has a special ability to communicate with animals. In stark contrast to the greed of those around him, he sees an ancient sea turtle for the amazing, feeling creature that it is. This unit study guides students to dive deep into the story and explore all sorts of topics related to human-animal communication, while relishing a unique piece of fiction. Assignments emphasise self-expression, reflection and good writing. They are suitable for students in grades 7 and up. Please note: The Boy Who Talked with Animals is protected by copyright and must be procured separately. All other necessary resources are included in this unit study or available for free online (links provided). Contents *About this Unit Study & Before You Begin Guide to all Assignments Section Assignments Section Questions to be completed in a notebook Section Questions Worksheets Written Exercises for the Full Story Focus on an Excerpt Reflection Questions Creative Assignments Make a Short Video Write a Short Story – Properly Exploring the Story’s Themes through Music and Art Music: Flight of the Bumblebee (Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov) Music: The Trout (Franz Schubert) Art: Humans and Animals in Art (Three Paintings) Exploring the Topic Further: An Ocean of Possibilities Documentary: Understanding How Animals Think and Feel Wildlife safety Doctor Dolittle: Write a Compare and Contrast Essay

What if you could learn to see through objects? What if you could hone your powers of concentration until you could achieve remarkable things? Welcome to the fantastical world of Henry Sugar, in which the incredible seems tantalizingly close to becoming the achievable! This unit study for The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar by Roald Dahl is suitable for students in grades 8 and up. The story focuses on themes of self-mastery (meditation and concentration), greed, charity and happiness, and the resources in this unit study put an emphasis on developing concentration and thoughtfulness while enjoying the remarkable tale. Please note: The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is protected by copyright and must be procured separately. All other necessary resources are included in this unit study or available for free online (links provided). Contents About this Unit Study & Before You Begin Guide to all Assignments & When To Use What Suggested Timeline Chapter Assignments Chapter Assignments Worksheets Vocabulary & Terms Concentration Activities Card Games Copywork Ticking Clock Candle Meditation Exploring the Story’s Themes Through Music and Art Music: Guru (Anoushka Shankar) Music: Within You and Without You (The Beatles) Art: René Magritte Discussion Questions and Other Resources Long-Answer, Discussion and Essay Questions Robin Hood & Henry Sugar Comparison Henry Sugar: A Quirky Movie

Who says Christmas-themed schoolwork is only suited to elementary students? This resource contains 6 thematic reading and writing assignments for middle school students. Complement your main curriculum with interesting age-appropriate texts, each matched with a unique writing assignment! There is no limit to the number of selections you can use. You may work through them in order or choose a topic or assignment to suit the moment. This resource offers teachers and students a chance to explore different styles and forms of varying level of difficulty, through unique poems and literary excerpts about the Christmas season. (Cut-out decorations included.) Contents: 1 - A Christmas Carol (poem), by Charles Dickens 2 - A Peaceful Christmas Alone (two short descriptions), by Unknown and Stella Benson 3 - Drawing Santa Claus (spoken instructions), by John Wilson Bengough 4 - Did Shakespeare Like Christmas? (scholarly criticism), by Max Beerbohm 5 - The Appositeness of Christmas (opinion), by E. A. Bennett 6 - Trees and Bells (poems), by Carman and Tennyson

Note: this title is complete and suitable for Distance Learning. Who better to show the usefulness of a well-asked question - and the importance of a clear and concise answer - than Sherlock Holmes? In ‘The Adventure of the Three Students’, Holmes and Watson find themselves at the heart of an old university, where someone may have tampered with an Ancient Greek exam. The future of a promising student, and the reputation of a noble house of learning, hang in the balance! As it turns out, it is not too late for one character to make a noble gesture that will bring all to a happy conclusion. For young readers who are ready for their first Sherlock Holmes mystery (but who would rather not read about murders or ghosts), this is an excellent tale! Contents: • The full, original tale of ‘The Adventure of the Three Students’, divided into ten short sections • Following each section: Five questions to be answered separately in a student’s notebook Vocabulary, in alphabetical order, with definitions or synonyms (making the word comprehensible in the story’s context), from the chapter just read A ‘looking up close’ page, exploring one main theme of the section just read, such as Gothic architecture, tea, pencils, Victorian furniture, the long-jump, etc. (with pictures) Directions: • Read one section of the book at a time. Use the vocabulary list to help with understanding the story (and practise looking things up in alphabetical order). Answer the questions in a separate notebook. Read the ‘looking up close’ page for fun. Enjoy a good, old-fashioned, Sherlock Holmes mystery!

This is one of many well-loved stories featuring the unlikely detective prowess of Father Brown, a British clergyman. Chesterton masterfully combines elements of Catholic theology and classic crime fiction to create a quirky, unique short story. Here the text is divided into 7 short sections, each followed by three challenging questions and a written assignment. The assignments will broaden any student’s understanding of literature and Western thought, and are not necessarily only appropriate for Catholic readers. This resource is suitable for ages 15 and up.

Description ‘Fate be changed, look inside. Mend the bond torn by pride.’ Each ‘At The Movies’ selection is a movie that is both enjoyable to watch, and a good starting-place to explore important topics. High school students can expand on their analytical and writing skills by answering questions, writing plot summaries and character descriptions, and pondering upon important, far-reaching themes in discussion or essay-writing assignments. About the movie: Brave This story takes place in historical Scotland, in a dark ages landscape of castle and countryside. Merida is the only daughter of a king, and despite her mother’s attempts to train her to be a ‘lady’ she lives for the freedom to ride her beloved horse, practise archery, and observe the gambits of her naughty triplet brothers. When it comes time for her to submit to an arranged marriage, she rebels, convinced that it is her mother who should change her ways, and not Merida herself. Guided – or misled? – by the mystical presence of will-o’-the-wisps in the forest, she encounters a witch, who grants Merida’s request for a spell that should fix everything. As supernatural events unfold, Merida learns whether magic can truly help her create the future she wants, or whether it is up to Merida alone to find her true fate. Rating: PG / Date of release: 2012 / Language: English / Country: U. S. A. / Purchase: Disney+ or Amazon Notes: This movie contains no explicit content of any nature. There are some scenes that are intentionally creepy and some that are intentionally dramatic, and there is quite a bit of cartoon action-violence. It has a happy end.

Do new ideas make you squeamish? Do you tremble at the thought of stating your opinion? Does your mind balk at ways of thinking that differ from your own? This exercise is definitely NOT for you! If, on the other hand, you feel ready to broaden your horizons, then brace yourself and face the challenge: ponder the words of religious leaders, pop icons, writers, and well-known sayings . . . and express what YOU think! Gather your courage, sharpen your mind, and dare to dig for the truth! Contents · Instructions · 18 pairs of quotations, grouped according to unique themes · General questions for each individual quotation · ‘Compare and contrast’ questions for pairs of quotations · Bonus questions · Suggested assignments (one, two or three paragraphs) The purpose of this exercise is for high school students to refine their ability to write concisely. The only part of the assignment that should be evaluated is the student’s effort and quality of writing, not the validity of their personal opinions.

Explore different styles and forms while reading poems and literary excerpts on a variety of topics; practise your writing with assignments that encourage creative and thoughtful effort! In each Excellent Excerpts Collection there are 20 printable reading and writing assignments. Complement your main curriculum with short age-appropriate texts, each matched with a unique writing assignment. This Collection is especially suited to sensitive students aged 13, or in Grade 8. It may also be used for older students, as teachers see fit. There is no limit to the number of selections you can use. You may work through them in order or choose a topic or assignment to suit the moment. Full instructions are included. For each piece of writing, there are: · A brief introduction to the author and the excerpt · A short ‘As You Read’ guide · Two questions to be answered in writing or in discussion · One writing assignment, specific to the excerpt We used these selections for our daughter as a significant part of her curriculum, and they were an excellent way to prepare her for advanced classical learning-style assignments. Most importantly, they focus on a genuine love of reading and writing, inviting students to notice and appreciate literary form and style without immediately labeling or categorizing elements of good writing.

Explore different styles and forms while reading poems and literary excerpts on a variety of topics; practise your writing with assignments that encourage creative and thoughtful effort! In each Excellent Excerpts Collection there are 20 printable reading and writing assignments. Complement your main curriculum with short age-appropriate texts, each matched with a unique writing assignment. This Collection is especially suited to sensitive students aged 13, or in Grade 8. It may also be used for older students, as teachers see fit. There is no limit to the number of selections you can use. You may work through them in order or choose a topic or assignment to suit the moment. Full instructions are included. For each piece of writing, there are: · A brief introduction to the author and the excerpt · A short ‘As You Read’ guide · Two questions to be answered in writing or in discussion · One writing assignment, specific to the excerpt We used these selections for our daughter as a significant part of her curriculum, and they were an excellent way to prepare her for advanced classical learning-style assignments. Most importantly, they focus on a genuine love of reading and writing, inviting students to notice and appreciate literary form and style without immediately labeling or categorizing elements of good writing.

Explore different styles and forms while reading poems and literary excerpts on a variety of topics; practise your writing with assignments that encourage creative and thoughtful effort! In each Fantastic Fragments Collection there are 20 printable reading and writing assignments. Complement your main curriculum with short age-appropriate texts, each matched with a unique writing assignment. This Collection is especially suited to sensitive students aged 12, or in Grade 7. It may also be used for older students, as teachers see fit. There is no limit to the number of selections you can use. You may work through them in order or choose a topic or assignment to suit the moment. Full instructions are included. For each piece of writing, there are: · A brief introduction to the author and the excerpt · A short ‘As You Read’ guide · Two questions to be answered in writing or in discussion · One writing assignment, specific to the excerpt We used these selections for our daughter as a significant part of her curriculum, and they were an excellent way to prepare her for advanced classical learning-style assignments. Most importantly, they focus on a genuine love of reading and writing, inviting students to notice and appreciate literary form and style without immediately labeling or categorizing elements of good writing. The selections in Level Two are slightly more challenging than those in ‘Fantastic Fragments’ Level One.

Explore different styles and forms while reading poems and literary excerpts on a variety of topics; practise your writing with assignments that encourage creative and thoughtful effort! In each Fantastic Fragments Collection there are 20 printable reading and writing assignments. Complement your main curriculum with short age-appropriate texts, each matched with a unique writing assignment. This Collection is especially suited to sensitive students aged 12, or in Grade 7. It may also be used for older students, as teachers see fit. There is no limit to the number of selections you can use. You may work through them in order or choose a topic or assignment to suit the moment. Full instructions are included. For each piece of writing, there are: · A brief introduction to the author and the excerpt · A short ‘As You Read’ guide · Two questions to be answered in writing or in discussion · One writing assignment, specific to the excerpt We used these selections for our daughter as a significant part of her curriculum, and they were an excellent way to prepare her for advanced classical learning-style assignments. Most importantly, they focus on a genuine love of reading and writing, inviting students to notice and appreciate literary form and style without immediately labeling or categorizing elements of good writing.

Explore different styles and forms while reading poems and literary excerpts on a variety of topics; practise your writing with assignments that encourage creative and thoughtful effort! In each Fantastic Fragments Collection there are 20 printable reading and writing assignments. Complement your main curriculum with short age-appropriate texts, each matched with a unique writing assignment. This Collection is especially suited to sensitive students aged 11, or in Grade 6. It may also be used for older students, as teachers see fit. There is no limit to the number of selections you can use. You may work through them in order or choose a topic or assignment to suit the moment. Full instructions are included. For each piece of writing, there are: · A brief introduction to the author and the excerpt · A short ‘As You Read’ guide · Two questions to be answered in writing or in discussion · One writing assignment, specific to the excerpt We used these selections for our daughter as a significant part of her curriculum, and they were an excellent way to prepare her for advanced classical learning-style assignments. Most importantly, they focus on a genuine love of reading and writing, inviting students to notice and appreciate literary form and style without immediately labeling or categorizing elements of good writing. The selections in Level Two are slightly more challenging than those in ‘Sundry Snippets’ Level One.

Explore different styles and forms while reading poems and literary excerpts on a variety of topics; practise your writing with assignments that encourage creative and thoughtful effort! In each Fantastic Fragments Collection there are 20 printable reading and writing assignments. Complement your main curriculum with short age-appropriate texts, each matched with a unique writing assignment. This Collection is especially suited to sensitive students aged 11, or in Grade 6. It may also be used for older students, as teachers see fit. There is no limit to the number of selections you can use. You may work through them in order or choose a topic or assignment to suit the moment. Full instructions are included. For each piece of writing, there are: · A brief introduction to the author and the excerpt · A short ‘As You Read’ guide · Two questions to be answered in writing or in discussion · One writing assignment, specific to the excerpt We used these selections for our daughter as a significant part of her curriculum, and they were an excellent way to prepare her for advanced classical learning-style assignments. Most importantly, they focus on a genuine love of reading and writing, inviting students to notice and appreciate literary form and style without immediately labeling or categorizing elements of good writing.

Here is the complete, original novella. Download for free to accompany ‘Reading Comprehension: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson’ from Canadian Winter Homeschool Materials.

Here is the complete, original novel. Download for free to accompany ‘Reading Comprehension: Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson’ from Canadian Winter Homeschool Materials.

Here is the complete, original novel. Download for free to accompany ‘Reading Comprehension: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen’ from Canadian Winter Homeschool Materials.

'A life lived in fear is a life half-lived.’ Each ‘At The Movies’ selection is a movie that is both enjoyable to watch, and a good starting-place to explore important topics. High school students can expand on their analytical and writing skills by answering questions, writing plot summaries and character descriptions, and pondering upon important, far-reaching themes in discussion or essay-writing assignments. About the movie: Strictly Ballroom Scott is a ballroom dance champion, but to the horror of his teachers, parents and friends, he has recently taken to dancing his own steps – steps not approved by the dance federation. Fran is only a beginner, but her passion for dance, rooted in her Spanish family’s tradition of flamenco music and rhythm, runs deeper than many around her would imagine. When chance and their own drive to ‘dance from the heart’ bring them together, everything Scott and Fran have taken for granted is turned upside down. Should they disobey the rules of the establishment, or is there too much at stake? Their decision will affect those around them in ways they could not have imagined. Rating: PG (kidsinmind.com) / Date of release: 1993 / Language: English / Subtitles: no / Country: Australia / Purchase: Amazon, Etc. Note: The movie must be procured separately.

‘Uncle Mordecai, does not your own heart long to see our people restored to glory?’ Each ‘At The Movies’ selection is a movie that is both enjoyable to watch, and a good starting-place to explore important topics. High school students can expand on their analytical and writing skills by answering questions, writing plot summaries and character descriptions, and pondering upon important, far-reaching themes in discussion or essay-writing assignments. About the movie: One Night with the King Hadassah is a young woman who lives with her benevolent uncle in ancient Susa, capital of the Persian Empire. They are Jews, and they are aware that they are not in favour with the reigning powers. When the Queen disobeys her husband and is dethroned, King Xerxes must choose a new wife. According to tradition of the time, women are gathered together by his guards and imprisoned in the palace for a year’s preparatory beauty treatments. When the time is up, the King will choose a new Queen from among them, after they spend a single night together. Hadassah is one of those captured, but rather than dreading the trial, she continues to better herself with reading and maintaining a cheerful and sensible attitude. Circumstances evolve so that she finds herself in the King’s presence long before her ‘one night’, and they begin to forge a deep understanding. He chooses her as Queen, not knowing that she is a Jew, for she has taken the Babylonian name ‘Esther’ at her uncle’s urging. As the plot develops, an ancient feud inspires an evil Agagite to plot for the death of all Jews. Only by revealing her true identity can Hadassah hope to undo the deadly chain of events he has set in motion. She chooses courage and honesty, and along with her Uncle Mordecai, earns a place in the Persian Kingdom for both herself and her people. Rating: PG (imbd.com) / Date of release: 2007 / Language: English / Subtitles: no / Country: U.S.A. / Purchase: watch free on Youtube (link included)

‘These are not God-loving people, these are God-fearing people.’ Each ‘At The Movies’ selection is a movie that is both enjoyable to watch, and a good starting-place to explore important topics. High school students can expand on their analytical and writing skills by answering questions, writing plot summaries and character descriptions, and pondering upon important, far-reaching themes in discussion or essay-writing assignments. About the movie: OMG Kanji is a family man who owns a shop selling religious idols. Despite his trade he is not a spiritual man, and contrary to everyone around him, he considers religion to be a sham. One day he disrupts a religious celebration and only a few hours later, his shop collapses in an earthquake. Is it a coincidence? The insurance company refuses to pay damages for an ‘Act of God’, which is how the earthquake is classified on the contract Kanji signed. Facing the loss of everything he has, Kanji decides to sue the institutions representing God: temples and churches. A remarkable battle of wills, logic and faith follows, with religion’s elite on one side, and Kanji on the other. He is helped by a dishonoured Muslim lawyer and a mysterious house guest who calls himself Krishna (a Hindu deity). Some people think he is crazy, others are impressed, and many decide that their religious institutions owe them something too. Kanji faces everything bravely and ultimately makes a discovery that can only be called a gift. Rating: No rating / Date of release: 2012 / Language: Hindi/English / Subtitles: Yes / Country: India / Purchase: rent or buy from Youtube. Note: The movie must be procured separately.