51����

This complete lesson will guide you to write a full, 5-paragraph ‘summarize and describe’ essay on a topic related to the art of conversation as described in three short historical texts (included). It contains full instructions, a list of possible topics, worksheets and all relevant sources. 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: Polite Conversation (excerpt), by Jonathan Swift This selection by Jonathan Swift (1667 –1745) comes from the introduction to a collection of dialogues in which the author explores the art of polite conversation in his social circle. A Definition of a Gentleman, by Cardinal Newman This description of a perfect secular gentleman was written by Cardinal John Henry Newman (1801 – 1890), an English Catholic academic and poet. To Read and Speak with Eloquence, by “Browne” The origins and true author of this piece of writing are a mystery – it was found in a compilation entitled The Illustrated London Reading Book. TIP! This may be a good choice for a student with an interest in etiquette or history. Need some extra essay writing practice? Check out our Beginning and Concluding Paragraphs resource!

This complete lesson will guide you to write a full, 5-paragraph ‘summarize and describe’ essay on a topic related to the natural events in springtime, as explored in two short, challenging primary texts (included). It contains full instructions, a list of possible topics, worksheets and all necessary sources. 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: A Woodland Valentine, by Marian Storm Marian Storm was a 20th century American writer, journalist, poet, animal rights advocate and conservationist. She is also known for saving the Mexican shrub Ayuque (later named Balmea stormiae after her) from extinction. Here she describes the arrival of spring in highly poetic language. Field And Hedgerow, by Richard Jefferies This short excerpt is from collection of essays written in the late 19th century, and is a reflection of Jefferies’ deep appreciation for nature and the countryside. He explores themes related to the relationship between humans and the natural world, as well as observations on rural life, seasons, and the essence of existence. TIP! This may be a good choice for a student with an interest in poetry or nature studies. Need some extra essay writing practice? Check out our Beginning and Concluding Paragraphs resource!

This complete lesson will guide you to write a full, 5-paragraph ‘compare and contrast’ essay on a topic related to weathering a storm at sea. It includes full instructions, a list of possible topics, worksheets and all necessary primary texts. 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: Typhoon off the Coast of Japan, by Jack London (published when the author was seventeen) The narrator relates how a ship of seal hunters navigates a powerful storm at sea, with characteristically vivid descriptions. A Storm, from The Wreck of the Grosvenor by W. Clark Russell The narrator describes a three-day long gale that pushes the crew of a ship to their limits, in the style of a vivid diary entry. TIP! This may be a good choice for a student with an interest in pirate novels or survival stories. Need some extra essay writing practice? Check out our Beginning and Concluding Paragraphs resource!

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!

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!

Imagine finding an ancient Roman treasure of incredible value in your back yard. What would you do? And how would you feel? Welcome to the incredible true story of the Mildenhall Treasure, in which an unsuspecting farmer discovers a real trove of Roman silver in 1940’S England! This unit study for The Mildenhall Treasure by Roald Dahl is suitable for students in grades 8 and up. The story focuses on themes of discovery, honesty, history and greed, and the resources in this unit study put an emphasis on the characters, treasure and text while guiding students to assess some of the nuances involved in writing a fictional account of real events. Please note: The Mildenhall Treasure 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 The People Questions and assignments focused on the characters’ thoughts, behaviors and feelings. Special character description assignment based on four 1940’s portraits. The Treasure Questions and assignments focused on the difference between wealth and treasure, and what constitutes a real archaeological treasure. Introduce students to the popular British archaeological series, Time Team. The Text & Language Questions and assignments focused on Dahl’s writing, including an exercise in polishing, inspired by the author’s own approach and the theme of polishing buried treasure. Also, a look at the power of repetition, and understanding the terms sarcasm and priorities. Roman History & Gods A quick look at the Roman figures mentioned in the text, and further activities such as an ancient Roman names word search. Art & Music Admire a fresco depicting an ancient Roman banquet and listen to some music played on a lyre. Examine a painting and a photograph of farming and explore further the theme of the difference between depicting facts and taking creative liberties. Listen to two pieces of music about snow (Let It Snow! by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn, and The Snow Is Dancing, by Claude Debussy), and decide which would be best suited to a certain part of the story (with a focus on the term context). Essay Writing Take a look at the real Mildenhall Treasure and write an essay comparing a factual account of its discovery with Dahl’s version. Suggested activities A handful of further activities are included, such as taking another look at historical Roman art or diving into professions that involve spending long hours alone.

This complete lesson will guide you to write a full, 5-paragraph ‘compare and contrast’ essay on a topic related to stormy weather. It includes full instructions, a list of possible topics, worksheets and all necessary primary texts. 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 ‘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. Need some extra essay writing practice? Check out our Beginning and Concluding Paragraphs resource!

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

Here are six pieces of beautiful art depicting Victorian London. Each has been prepared for use as a paper ‘cut and paste’ puzzle. There are a simpler 6-piece puzzle and a more difficult 10-piece puzzle for each work of art. Cut and Paste puzzles are a proven and effective way to improve younger students’ fine motor skills, as well as their ability to solve visual problems. Older students may also complete this type of activity, with a dual purpose, integrating hands-on learning into a study of the Industrial Revolution or Sherlock Holmes, or as a ‘change of pace’ from intellectual activities. The selection of great art in this collection will encourage young people to admire and appreciate beautiful works, developing their artistic taste and greater cultural knowledge. Take a moment to appreciate the beautiful colours and images of a time and place gone by! Bonus: Includes a page of questions that can be used to investigate the who-what-when-where-why-how of any one of the paintings.

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

Do you get a thrill when you hear an opera singer? Are you curious about the origins of this unique art form? Do you enjoy dates and names and history? Or are you preparing for a music history exam? This book contains 24 pages of information (facts and pictures) about Opera, with special attention given to the English comic opera The Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert & Sullivan. Following each section of text are ‘activities’ and ‘cut-outs’ which you may use to assemble a simple one-folder ‘lapbook’, which will serve as a reminder of what you’ve learned, and a useful study prompt tool - your completed lapbook will also be something nice to look at! Full instructions are included. All you need are scissors, glue, a pen or pencil, a folder (the colour of your choice) and a printed black and white version of this book. Get ready to learn more than you ever thought possible about a musical form that has been thrilling audiences for hundred of years!

Do you love the music of J.S. Bach? Are you curious to learn more about Baroque music, the era in which Bach lived, and his life? Or are you preparing for a music history exam? This book contains 15 pages of information about Johann Sebastian Bach, including pictures and interesting facts about his music. Following each section of text are ‘activities’ and ‘cut-outs’ which you may use to assemble a simple one-folder ‘lapbook’, which will serve as a reminder of what you’ve learned, and a useful study prompt tool - your completed lapbook will also be something nice to look at! Full instructions are included. All you need are scissors, glue, a pen or pencil, a folder (the colour of your choice) and a printed black and white version of this book. Get ready to learn more than you ever thought possible about the man who is considered one of the greatest composers of all time!

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!

Here is a mini-lesson plan to go with the free music file: Pause & Play ‘Spirals’, featuring three pieces of classical music: Duet for Two Solo Violins and String Orchestra, by Steve Reich; Cello Suite No. 1 (Prelude) by J. S. Bach performed by Mischa Maisky; Missa Virie Galilaei (Agnus Dei II) by Palestrina. ‘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

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.

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

Here is a mini-lesson plan to go with the free music file: Pause & Play ‘Floating’, featuring a song (‘Undertow’) by Lisa Hannigan and a Lied (song) by Franz Schubert (Du Bist die Ruh) performed by Bryn Terfel. ‘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