Imagine that you have stumbled upon an old, leather-bound book in the dusty corner of a library. You crack open the cover and discover a real piece of history: a well-loved text that has been forgotten for many years. It is both a history book, and a historical artifact. ‘A Short History of the World’ begins with a description of the very beginnings of life on our planet, and continues by describing pivotal moments and important people all the way up to the twentieth century. It includes information about various cultures, in addition to predictable topics such as ancient Greece, etc. It is written in many short chapters which contain plenty of intriguing ‘look-what-I-found-in-the-back-of-the-natural-history-museum’-type black-and-white photos. The history of the world is a big topic, easily overwhelming to any reader; here H. G. Wells (1866-1946) tells a story that is easy to understand, entertaining, and memorable. Use this book as an introduction to world history that offers older students a good look at the big picture, as well as interesting and important details. You will be exposed to ways of thinking and writing that are now called ‘old-fashioned’, but were the foundation upon which modern scientific and anthropological studies were built. The assignments that follow each chapter will help you to learn to think critically, to examine facts, to identify ‘concepts’ and ‘opinions’, and to do some research. You will read about history and hone your observational and philosophical skills as well. Learn about history by reading a piece of history! Contents: The complete original text ‘A Short History of the World’ by H.G. Wells; a reading comprehension sheet following each of the 67 short chapters asking the student to identify from that chapter: a concept or opinion a fact that is certain a doubtful fact (which must be briefly researched) an important date and relevant event and an outdated word or phrase Appendix One contains larger version of each of the maps in the book. Appendix Two contains possible essay topics and extra assignments.

‘Gramma said when you come on something good, first thing to do is share it with whoever you can find; that way, the good spreads out where no telling it will go. Which is right.’ Little Tree narrates his own story, the tale of a unique upbringing in the near-wilderness in the 1930’s with his Cherokee grandparents as loving teachers. ‘The Education of Little Tree’ by Forrest Carter is a book that many readers turn to again and again. It is suitable for students age 11 and up who are ready to read about a time and lifestyle that differ from their own, and are able to take an interest in larger, challenging themes of life (the passage of time, spiritual beliefs, the natural world, money and government affairs, history, etc.) This resource contains reading comprehension sheets to go with the novel. (Still protected by copyright, the book must be purchased or borrowed separately.) For each chapter there are three short assignments: to summarize a lesson learned from the chapter to examine the language used in the chapter to explain how a suggested ‘main theme’ is relevant to the chapter. WARNING: The story does not paint a flattering picture of the Christian religion, and students who are Christian should be prepared; parents should read the book first, to be sure that their student is ready for this material. It also contains swear words and references to drinking alcohol, among other mature themes. The novel is presented as an autobiography, but it is a work of fiction.

This collection contains 27 stories and poems on the theme of ‘Winter’ (including one or two selections suitable for Christmas and New Year), and a handful of ‘Winter’ colouring pages from Medieval woodcuts. Following each selection is a Topic of Discussion: a question which requires the student to think about one element of the text they just read, to form an opinion about it, and to express and defend that opinion. Younger students will benefit from the effort spent reading (either in their head or out loud) and then speaking with a parent/teacher or in a classroom setting about the Topic of Discussion, in a free style. Older students can benefit from using the Topic of Discussion as a starting point for a written assignment. I recommend that the older student state clearly what their point of view is, and defend it in one or two paragraphs. This will be good practise in defending an argument, a skill which becomes useful for essay-writing assignments in upper grades. The exercise of writing clearly and stating a coherent defense will prove a worthy challenge, even for pieces of writing which have simpler themes. Note: These selections are suitable for students in elementary or middle school, but are not presented in any specific order. Different texts may be better suited to older or younger students: a parent or teacher should always preview each individual piece of writing to make sure it is appropriate for a specific age group.

Engage the right side of your brain with simple drawing and colouring exercises, before practising your penmanship. The results may amaze you! Here are 20 pages of carefully-designed drawing and colouring exercises, each followed by a set of 5 two-letter penmanship samples. Do the drawing in the space provided, then practise your penmanship in a separate notebook. (More detailed instructions for making the most of these simple exercises are included.) All pages are in black and gray and are easily printable. Certificate of completion included! These exercises are sure to help, whether your handwriting is barely legible or you are looking to perfect your abilities!

This is a guide for 90 days of handwriting practise. Four sets of pages indicate which letters or letter combinations are to be practised each day (instructions and samples included). For each day, four different words are also listed – these are to be used (one each) in individual sentences composed by the student. This type of daily practise strengthens the student’s hand, reinforces the memorization of how letters are formed both alone and when joined with one another, and provides an opportunity to practise basic sentence-writing with the simple guideline of a prescribed word. Also included: A blank page of dotted lines for practise (print as many as you need) Tips and Instructions Samples of individual upper and lower case letters, and of letter combinations (how they join together in cursive script) Note: These exercises are suitable for students who already know how to write cursive letters. They are not suited to a rank beginner, who will find them too tiring.

These drawing and colouring exercises will engage the right side of your brain, and help you to improve your ability to write neat block letters. The results may amaze you! In this book are 20 pages of carefully-designed drawing and colouring exercises, each followed by a set of 5 two-letter block letters samples. Complete the drawing in the space provided, then practise your block letters in a separate notebook. (More detailed instructions for making the most of these simple exercises are included.) All pages are in black and gray and are easily printable. Certificate of completion included! Improve your printing in an enjoyable manner with drawing and colouring!

In this Canadian classic, you will read about an Ojibwa brother and sister, 11-year old Sajo and 14-year-old Shapian, and their adorable pet beavers, Chilawee and Chikanee. One spring day, Sajo’s father rescues two baby beavers from an otter attack and brings them home to their village. After one of the beavers must be traded for food, Sajo and Shapian set off to see if they can buy him back. Travelling by canoe and by train, they face various challenges on their trip to the City. They employ skills they have learned from their Ojibwa elders, and are also helped by a Missionary, American tourists, and an Irish policeman. Written in the style of old-fashioned classics like ‘Heidi’, this original tale by the renowned British-Canadian conservationist known as ‘Grey Owl’ is both informative and touching. Rich and reportedly accurate descriptions of the Eastern Canadian wilderness provide the backdrop to a story of caring people who triumph in their efforts to reunite two baby beavers with their family and finally return them to the wilderness. Illustrations by the author and a glossary of Ojibwa terms are of further interest. The book is divided into 23 chapters. Write your own definitions, answer reading comprehension questions, and research 22 topics (ranging from how otters and beavers hunt and eat, to how elevators and steamboats work). For each of these activities, you may go into great detail, or just scratch the surface – the material is adaptable to different students. Enjoy a trip into the past with a sincere story-teller and lovable characters! Research topics: Jacques Cartier, Ojibwa tea, beaver dams and lodges, how otters hunt, feeding human food to wildlife, Ojibwa/European trade, what beavers eat in the wild, what instinct is, the Hudson’s Bay Company, birch bark canoes, what ‘portage’ means, forest fires, steamboats, who are the Ojibwa, Native American spiritual beliefs, animals in zoos versus in the wild, travelling by train in Canada (in the past), how elevators work, the importance of saying thank you, what bannock is, autumn around the world, how dangerous wolves really are. Bonus! This title includes a set of Canadian Wilderness themed notebooking pages.

About The Book ‘The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ is the creepy tale of a man whose inner battle between good and evil becomes manifest in a most dramatic and surreal manner. It is considered a classic horror story, though the descriptions of violence in it are minimal - it is primarily the tragic end and the macabre language used that place it in this category. This is a classic novella which has become so well-known that it is common to refer to a person with two dramatically differing sides to their personality as a case of ‘Jekyll and Hyde’. Contents & Instructions The novella will be read in eight sections. Following each section are reading comprehension assignments that focus on language and style. The student is asked: • to ‘translate’ two short passages into more contemporary language, showing that they have grasped the meaning of the language and can express the same thing as the author using their own words (If you purchase the version that includes the text, these passages are underlined.) • to familiarize themselves with a list of several words or phrases. These should be looked up or discussed with a teacher to be sure the student fully grasps their meaning. If you wish, you may write down a short definition of each. • to explain, in one or two sentences, a short passage from the text that includes some form of figurative language • to write a substantial paragraph in which the student observes the deliberate choice of language made by the author. A specific topic is given for each section. The complete novella l is available for free as a separate file in our store. Please be careful with your eyes, and limit screen reading to no more than 10 minutes at a time! Print the text if possible, or take frequent breaks.

‘Dark was falling from a dull and humid sky, and the lamps were beginning to struggle for brightness in Piccadilly, when the opal of Carmalovitch was first put into my hand . . .’ Written in an engaging style similar to that of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (author of the ‘Sherlock Holmes’ mysteries), these stories feature the entertaining experiences of a jeweller with a knack for solving mysteries, which he encounters as part of his unique position as a friend both to the wealthy and to the police. They will be of interest to readers who relish a certain Victorian type of atmosphere and plot that includes a fair amount of character study - in addition to being entertaining, they offer instructive food for thought regarding how greed and vanity affect human character. Contents Six of the stories from the original collection are included here. Following each story are four possible assignments that focus on descriptive writing and research. The student may complete as many of them as the teacher sees fit. The themes of the assignments are: a creative description of a place or concept a creative character description a long writing assignment involving retelling part or all of the story and a research assignment related to the story (on the topics of jewellery, safes, precious stones, etc.). The student may also find themselves inspired to write their own mystery, in which case they can refer to Pemberton’s stories (or the plot summaries) for inspiration, their own completed assignments for ready character descriptions and accurate research, and the tips in the ‘Write Your Own Mystery, Tips and Worksheets’ appendix for guidelines and worksheets to help with planning and writing! Bonus! Now includes a quick-reference sheet of images of precious stones, so students can keep an image in mind as they read. Note: This resource might be a good choice for National Storytelling Week (30 January - 6 February).

Compare and Contrast! The student will read two short Creation stories (included). A list of relevant themes for a ‘compare and contrast’ essay is included. The student will choose three topics that they feel are interesting (list provided), and write an essay in which they briefly address how those topics differ in each story. Detailed guidelines are given. This assignment will take at least one week to complete. Stories: ‘Grandmother’s Creation Story’, by Muskeke Iskwew A Creek medicine woman shares her grandmother’s telling of the creation of the earth, the animals, and humans, and subsequent events. (Note: this is a personal story and not the Creek creation myth as is found on Wikipedia.) ‘The Garden of Eden’ by Walter de la Mare A renowned children’s author writes a vivid description of the ‘creation of man’ and the ‘fall from grace’ as described in the book of Genesis in the Hebrew Bible. (Note: this is not a children’s version of the story, but a vivid ‘retelling’ in contemporary English.) TIP! This may be a good choice for a student with an interest in religion or anthropology.

‘Treasure Island’ is a classic that speaks for itself! Prepare yourself for subtle treachery, rough adventure, vivid characters and first class writing! Students in Grade 6-7 will surely enjoy the plot and characters of this timeless pirate adventure. Meanwhile, the impeccable writing of Robert Louis Stevenson makes this text perfect fare for students to begin exploring a full-length novel composed in a traditional, formal style. Here are printable pages to make an enjoyable Reading Comprehension unit for ‘Treasure Island’. For each chapter, you will find: One or two questions that focus on the reader’s experience and perceptions, under the title ‘Ask Yourself’. These may be used to stimulate discussion or for a written assignment of your choice. Twelve words, typed in a suitably nautical style, which can be used as a spelling test (oral or written) or an opportunity to expand the reader’s vocabulary. (Definitions are not included. Outdated terms are generally not selected.) A notebook page, imitating a diary page which Jim could have had in the time period, on which the reader should summarize (in their best penmanship and style) the chapter just read. In addition, you may choose to make use of some of the following, also included: · list of extra questions and suggested activities · recipe for ‘hardtack’ – possibly Cap’n Silver’s own! · extra styled notebooking pages. Print any of them you like, and use them for answering questions, further exploration of the book, etc. · a special page on which to draw your own treasure map! The full novel is available for free as a separate file in our store. Please be careful with your eyes, and limit screen reading to no more than 10 minutes at a time! Print the text if possible, or take frequent breaks.

I sat on my bed and looked out at the quiet woods, black and silver in snow and moonlight, and serene. There was nothing watchful or brooding about that stillness; whatever secrets were hidden in that forest were so perfectly kept that their existence could not be suspected nor even imagined by any rational faculty.’ ‘Beauty’ is a retelling of the classic fairy tale ‘Beauty and the Beast’. Written in 1978 and widely considered to be a classic, the novel is an excellent choice for readers in the 12-13 age group. Written in an easy, polished style, it is the sort of book that one reads more than once to relish the vivid characters, tantalizing details and satisfying plot. The carefully-crafted embellishments are all solidly founded on European history and folktale ‘magic’. In this file you will find plenty of material to make the novel into an enjoyable literature unit! Included here are: · Detailed instructions for how to proceed · Thoughtful written response questions, one for each of the ten chapters. Some of these include additional materials such as a painting or poem, which are included (Please note: this portion of the file is identical to the ‘Reading Comprehension: Beauty’ resource) · ‘History and Culture’ Topics. Choose from four topics to explore with further reading and writing assignments (all materials are included): ‘Griffins’, ‘Enchanted Forests’, ‘The Rose’ and ‘The Great Horse’. · Simple versions of the original folktale in English and in French · Bonus assignments (essay writing, further research, Beauty’s Reading List, cake-baking, etc.) Please note, the novel must be purchased separately.

I sat on my bed and looked out at the quiet woods, black and silver in snow and moonlight, and serene. There was nothing watchful or brooding about that stillness; whatever secrets were hidden in that forest were so perfectly kept that their existence could not be suspected nor even imagined by any rational faculty.’ ‘Beauty’ is a retelling of the classic fairy tale ‘Beauty and the Beast’. Written in 1978 and widely considered to be a classic, the novel is an excellent choice for readers in the 12-13 age group. Written in an easy, polished style, it is the sort of book that one reads more than once to relish the vivid characters, tantalizing details and satisfying plot. The carefully-crafted embellishments are all solidly founded on European history and folktale ‘magic’. In this file you will find questions and a few Bonus Assignments to make a solid Reading Comprehension unit for the novel. Included are: · Detailed instructions for how to proceed · Thoughtful written response questions, one for each of the ten chapters. Some of these include additional materials such as a painting or poem (included) · Simple versions of the original folktale in English and in French · Bonus assignments (essay writing, further research, Beauty’s Reading List, cake-baking, etc.) Please note, the novel must be purchased separately.

Mr. Pollexfen was at one and the same time right and wrong – a condition much more common than is generally supposed. ‘Captain Blood’ by Rafael Sabatini, first published in 1922, is a classic rip-roaring adventure novel that explores themes of justice, true love, individual courage, and right versus wrong. It influenced many pirate novels and movies that followed it, including ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’. The language is flowing and elaborate, a real thrill to read. Here you will find resources to make a full Unit Study for the novel. A close look at characters and settings, the real history behind the tale (Sabatini loved to set his stories amidst real historical events), and the nature of and motivation behind Captain Blood’s decisions are examined thoroughly, with four short complementary texts included (a first-hand account of slavery by the man who inspired Captain Blood’s character; a letter from the real pirate-turned-privateer-turned-lieutenant-governor of Jamaica, Sir Henry Morgan; a brief history of the colonial Caribbean; and a 17th century document describing elements of the British justice system – each with a short assignment linking it to the novel) . Included are: · Before and After You Read Assignment · Written Response and Discussion Questions · As You Read Assignments · Essay Writing Topics · ‘Historical Accounts’ assignment · A portrait – representing Captain Blood, or not? · Four complementary texts (see description above) with short assignments · Three music assignments, exploring the themes and mood of the story (instructions and links to free performances included) (The novel must be procured separately.) Note to teachers and parents: Most of the descriptions in the book are suggestive without going into great detail, however the first third of the book contains some disturbing violence (though not worse than any history novel with details about topics like ‘blood-letting’ or the beating of slaves). There is good reason for its presence in the story, and should not discourage readers from continuing.

Written by Newbery Award winner AVI ‘The Player King’ describes the amazing experience of a boy named Lambert Simnel who was plucked from his life as an orphan kitchen scullion and crowned king of England. The plot follows a real historical attempt to overthrow King Henry VII during the Wars of the Roses. Details and emotional content have been added according to the author’s imagination. ‘The Player King’ serves as an excellent bridge between reading on a simpler level and reading with greater attention to detail. It is well-suited to students in grade 6 (from ages 10 to 12). The writing style is simple and vivid, and the ‘ageless’ concepts of authority, destiny, and self-determination that are explored within the story will appeal to all readers (adults included!). The chapters are short and the action is quickly paced. Read ‘How To Use These Pages’, ‘About the Questions’, ‘About the ‘‘Looking At Language’’ Topics’ & ‘General Reading Comprehension Tips’. Print the pages of your choice: pages with four questions and one ‘Looking At Language’ topic for each chapter (to be answered in a separate notebook) OR pages with two questions per chapter (with space to answer on the page) AND/OR pages with ‘Looking At Language’ topics only (with space to answer on the page). Also included: a colouring page of a real Medieval engraving of Richard Neville, sixteenth Earl of Warwick, and full answer keys for each set of pages. Experience medieval places, people and events through the inspired words of an expert storyteller! Note: The book is protected by copyright and must be purchased separately.

Mr. Pollexfen was at one and the same time right and wrong – a condition much more common than is generally supposed. ‘Captain Blood’ by Rafael Sabatini, first published in 1922, is a classic rip-roaring adventure novel that explores themes of justice, true love, individual courage, and right versus wrong. It influenced many pirate novels and movies that followed it, including ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’. The language is flowing and elaborate, a real thrill to read. Here you will find Reading Comprehension resources for Grade 12 students, to take a thorough look at the story, its timeless themes, and its unforgettable characters. Included are: · Before and After You Read Assignment · Written Response and Discussion Questions · As You Read Assignments · Essay Writing Topics · ‘Historical Accounts’ assignment · A portrait – representing Captain Blood, or not? (The novel must be procured separately.) Note to teachers and parents: Most of the descriptions in the book are suggestive without going into great detail, however the first third of the book contains some disturbing violence (though not worse than any history novel with details about topics like ‘blood-letting’ or the beating of slaves). There is good reason for its presence in the story, and should not discourage readers from continuing.

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.

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 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.