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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

Here is a mini-lesson plan to go with the free music file: Pause & Play ‘Jiggles’, which contains two pieces featuring the double bass. The first piece is called ‘Pickles’ and is performed by Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer and Marc O’Connor. The second is called ‘Running’, written and performed by Adam Ben Ezra. ‘Pause & Play’ Music Appreciation mini-lessons are made for elementary-age students and their teachers or parents. Download the free basic file here: /teaching-resource/resource-12556504

Do you have a student who loves bugs, and is ready to read more advanced English? This story will stretch a 9 to 10 year old’s English reading abilities while entertaining them with thoughtful insect stories by the famous creator of ‘Doctor Dolittle’. In thirteen chapters, read about a water beetle who travelled across the ocean on a duck’s foot, a wasp who decided the victory of a battle, and other curious anecdotes. Thomas Stubbins, the Doctor’s young assistant, describes how he and Doctor go about ‘listening’ to insects and learning from their very different lives. Young readers will expand their reading abilities while being introduced to such concepts as ‘intuitive’ knowledge. Hugh Lofting writes with both humour and thoughtfulness as he examines life from a bug’s point-of-view! Following each chapter are three reading comprehension questions to be answered in a separate notebook, in complete sentences. There is also a list of five words from the chapter: the student should copy them into the blank space provided, and learn to spell them. Finish up by colouring a simple insect drawing! (There is one drawing at the end of every chapter.)

Naya Nuki is an excellent adventure and survival novel based on true and remarkable events. It is suitable for students age 9 to 11. The main character is a real person, a Shoshoni girl who quite incredibly escaped capture by an enemy tribe and made her way alone on foot back to her family. The book relates how she successfully journeyed 1000 miles (just over 1609 kilometres) across what is now the northern United States. She safely navigated a wide variety of terrains, found food, coped with wild animals, avoided capture by hostile tribes, and fended of loneliness. Her story is known thanks to a surprising coincidence – she was best friends with the renowned Sacajawea. The story of Naya Nuki has been retold by Kenneth Thomasma, an expert on wilderness survival. It is a good choice for young readers because the descriptions of wilderness and survival tactics within it are accurate. In addition, Naya Nuki is portrayed as a brave, resourceful and inspiring person. Her story is uplifting and interesting. Contents • reading comprehension questions for each of 15 chapters and the epilogue • images of a buffalo hides for each chapter, both small and large, labelled and plain • instructions for multiple ways to use both the questions and the hides A map showing Naya Nuki’s route is included in the published book, which must be purchased or borrowed separately as it is protected by copyright. Contact information for the author is included which will enable you to purchase the book at a reduced rate, procure signed copies, and enjoy free shipping!

‘Hearne’s Incredible Overland Journey’ is the second chapter of Stephen Leacock’s ‘Adventurers of the Far North’, which contains accounts of the historic voyages to the northern regions of what is now Canada. This chapter describes the three amazing overland journeys made by Samuel Hearne on behalf of the Hudson’s Bay Company, in search of a copper mine and a Northwest Passage. Though neither was found, Hearne’s adventures, as recounted in his own journal in detail (and quoted in Leacock’s book), became an iconic account of northern survival. It also offers descriptions of encounters with First Nations that provide unique food for thought, as they reveal the widely varied behaviours of these people toward one another and toward Europeans. The tone of the writing is neither formal nor chatty, but invites the reader to take an interest in a topic for which the author evidently had a genuine passion. Contents This book contains chapter two from ‘Adventurers of the Far North’. For study purposes, it has been divided into 12 short sections, each 1-3 pages long. After every section there are: 10 reading comprehension questions about the text, to be answered after reading that section. These are meant to help the student to remember and understand important facts. at least 2 questions under the heading ‘Thinking About the Details’. These ask that the student find a specific small segment of the text which has been underlined (page numbers are given) and answer pointed questions about that small piece of writing. These questions focus on writing style, word choice, intent and tone. Sometimes the student may be asked to verify facts. The purpose is to encourage the student to think critically about history and historical writing. After the main text and assignments there is a blank map of Canada, which can be used by the student to make a visual representation of what they have learned from reading and thinking about ‘Hearne’s Incredible Overland Journey’.

Do you have a student who loves dogs, and is ready to read more advanced English? This story will stretch a 9 to 10 year old’s English reading abilities while entertaining them with interesting and witty dog stories that are easy to love (no serious drama, deaths or abuse by humans in this book). This is an original animal story by Hugh Lofting, author of the famous Doctor Dolittle books. In twelve chapters, read about Quetch, a dog who set out to seek his fortune. Thomas Stubbins, the Doctor’s young assistant, faithfully writes down the story, which is told in Quetch’s own words. See the world from an intelligent dogs point-of-view! Following each chapter are three reading comprehension questions to be answered in a separate notebook, in complete sentences. There is also a list of five words from the chapter: the student should copy them into the blank space provided, and learn to spell them. Finish up by colouring a simple dog drawing! (There is one drawing at the end of every chapter.)

This collection of French texts contains fourteen selections on the subject of ‘cats’, taken from Champfleury’s ‘Les Chats – Histoires, Mœurs, Observations, Anecdotes’ published in 1869. (Please note that although it dates from a previous century, the language remains appropriate for French written style.) Each two-page piece of writing addresses a specific topic in a thoughtful manner. Following each selection are: four reading comprehension questions, a dictée, phrases to translate, room for a vocabulary list and a place to write a ‘résumé’ of the text. The selections may be completed in any order – each one is unique and an effort has been made to avoid any repetition of vocabulary in the lists of phrases, so that a student may use this entire collection and continue to learn with each new topic.

About This Book ‘Great Elizabethan Navigators’ is the first chapter of ‘Adventurers of the Far North’, which contains accounts of the historic voyages to the northern regions of what is now Canada. This chapter describes the earliest quests to find a ‘Northwest Passage’ by European explorers such as Frobisher and Davis. Leacock explains the political and business reasons for the men’s journeys, and also gives short but interesting accounts of the voyages themselves, in some cases referring to journals as first-hand sources. These are short histories, but they are thorough. A student will be familiar with major dates, events and personalities after working through each text. The tone of the writing is neither formal nor chatty, but invites the reader to take an interest in a topic for which the author evidently had a genuine passion. Contents This book contains chapter one from ‘Adventurers of the Far North’. For study purposes, it has been divided into 6 short sections, each roughly 3 pages long. After every section there are 10 reading comprehension questions, which the student may answer as they read or after reading the previous section. These questions are meant to help the student to remember and understand important facts. There are also at least two questions under the heading ‘Thinking About the Details’. These ask that the student find a specific small segment of the text which has been underlined (page numbers are given) and answer pointed questions about that small piece of writing. These questions focus on writing style, word choice, intent and tone. Sometimes the student may be asked to verify facts. The purpose is to encourage the student to think critically about history and historical writing. After the main text and assignments there is a blank map of Canada, which can be used by the student to make a visual representation of what they have learned from reading and thinking about ‘Great Elizabethan Navigators’.

Here are six pieces of writing about Chinese Dragons, and six different writing assignments to go with them! Themes include: Dramatic Dragons, Foolish Dragons, Dragons in Mythical Tales, Dragons and the Seasons, and Dragons & Treasure! Writing assignments vary – from writing a clear summary to letting your imagination run wild, from describing dragon treasure to trying to imagine how a dragon could ‘fit in’ with your own cultural traditions. A traditional Chinese paper cutting of a dragon is included to be used as decoration on the student’s notebook. Stories are taken from anthologies of Chinese folktales. Literature & Composition collections are suitable for students who are ready to read and study different types of literature in small quantities. For example, instead of an entire novel or scholarly work, a small sample of each (which can stand on its own) will be presented. This way, the intermediate student has an opportunity to stretch their reading abilities without being discouraged. Each book contains six different writing samples which share a common theme. The writing assignments vary in length and are intended to inspire the student to try writing in different forms and styles.

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.

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.

‘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).

This Valentine’s Day, cultivate your love of the English language and the time-honoured art of beautiful handwriting! We live in a society that allows us to be bombarded with ‘perfect’ images many times a day. Here is an opportunity to take a step back in time, become more attuned to the beauty of the ever-changing English language and to relish your own unique, perfectly ‘imperfect’ creativity. Here you will learn a bit about the history of English and the surprising variety that has existed in spelling and word choice through the centuries. Further assignments will cultivate a bit of love for your own handwriting by practising longhand or block letters, or by learning the uncial alphabet and trying a bit of calligraphy! Colouring and crafts instructions for making your own Valentine’s Day cards and decorations (with suggested musical accompaniment) will allow you to cultivate a love of beautiful artistic achievements. Contents • two files, one for younger students (age 8-10) and one for older students (age 11-13) • Thomas Campion’s poem ‘Tune Thy Musicke To Thy Hart’ in various formats • a brief History of English Spelling (separate texts for each age group) • vocabulary lists and a closer look at the word ‘affect’ (younger students only) • reading comprehension questions (older students only) • handwriting and calligraphy practise • colouring pages and Valentine’s Day card cut-outs (to be coloured in and written on by the student) • instructions and answer key Poem on which the unit study is based: Tune thy Musicke to thy hart, Sing thy joy with thanks, and so thy sorrow : Though Devotion needes not Art, Sometimes of the poore the rich may borrow. Strive not yet for curious wayes : Concord pleaseth more, the lesse 'tis strained ; Zeale affects not outward prayse, Only strives to show a love unfeigned. Love can wondrous things affect, Sweetest Sacrifice, all wrath appeasing ; Love the Highest doth respect ; Love alone to Him is ever pleasing. By Thomas Campion (1567- 1620)

This collection contains 27 stories and poems on the theme of ‘Autumn’ (including some selections suitable for Thanksgiving and Hallowe’en), and a handful of ‘Trees’ 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.

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

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 text that has been forgotten for many years. You have discovered both a history book, and an historical artifact. Learn about history by reading a piece of history! And while you’re at it, learn to think about history. Wells introduces his readers to concepts as well as facts. His very writing style and assumptions are a part of history. Reading his work invites students to check facts, assess language, and dig deeper, while retaining respect for the scholarship of bygone times. Contents About the Book Thinking About History & How To Use This Resource About the Assignments Chapter One: The World in Space Chapter One Worksheets Chapter Two: The World in Time Chapter Two Worksheets Worksheets ask students to analyse the short chapter they just read and identify: A concept or opinion A fact that you are certain to be accurate A date and a relevant event A fact that you are not certain to be accurate Researching this fact, you discovered that . . . An outdated word or phrase Bonus: find modern visuals equivalent to those included and cite them correctly. To think accurately about history, you need the facts!

Walt Whitman (1819-1892) is perhaps the most famous and well-loved of all American poets. He achieved success in his lifetime, and his works continue to be revered today. Read a beautiful, thoughtful poem about looking up at the night sky, and complete written assignments focused on the contrast between the scholarly appreciation of astronomy and the raw enjoyment of star-gazing. More like this available in Smiling Scholar Reading Passages Collections!

This complete lesson will guide you to write a full, 5-paragraph persuasive essay in which you defend an opinion related to the topic of humour, as explored in several primary texts. It includes full instructions, a list of possible topics, worksheets and all necessary reading materials. This assignment will take at least one week to complete. Make the most of this easy and efficient way to practice essay writing, without having to commit to reading an entire novel or play before getting started! Texts: “Lampoons” & “True and False Humour” (excerpts), by Joseph Addison (1672 – 1719) In his time, Addison was known for his ‘breezy, conversational style’, and his ‘cheerful and respectful humour’. Here, he describes what he considers to be unfairly cruel humour, and the difference between true and false humour. The one is based on truth, the other on lies. “Extricating Young Gussie” (excerpt) & “Damian and Pythias, A Romance”, by P.G. Wodehouse (1881 – 1975) Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse (1881 – 1975) was one of the most widely-read humorists of the 20th century. Read the beginning of a humorous story, in which the narrator’s fearsome aunt pays a call. Next, read a short, humorous poem in which two young men discover they are infatuated with the same woman. TIP! This may be a good choice for a student with an interest in philosophy or humorous writing. Need some extra essay writing practice? Check out our Beginning and Concluding Paragraphs resource!

Draw a snowflake with six long arms and six short arms - then decorate it using your own style! This drawing exercise requires a pencil, ruler and protractor.

Learning to relax and replenish is a vital life skill! And learning to observe can help anyone, at any age, to improve your ability to complete tasks well. It will also help you to enjoy life, since much of what we experience amounts to many small moments all in a row! Every activity in this book offers a way to remember how to enjoy simple pleasures. Print the whole book, or just choose sections that interest you. Rather than trying to resist the slow and simple side of the warmest season, let yourself be encouraged to slow down, observe tiny details and make the most of a Simple Summer! Subjects: Water, Laugh!, Draw a Plant or Tree, The Sky, The Wind, Pet Rock, Decorate A Small Space, Garden In A Box, Simple Exercise, Clean Mind and Heart, Mini-Campfire, Tiny World, Travel At Home, Do Nothing On Purpose, Slow Down, Enjoy Your Food, Bird-watching, A Simple Poem