How this works...
Here you will find History lessons for Kindergarten through Second Grade (although you could choose to use this for any grade, of course).
Below are 'Units' of history. Within each unit are links to Free Resources (on-line books!) to pick and choose from. The books may be fiction or non-fiction, but almost all are short enough to read in one sitting (usually being about 32-40 pages). These books are selected with the assumption that a parent will read them to a child rather than expecting a child to be able to read them alone. Most of the books are from Open Library (click on the book's title to be taken to its Open Library page). A person needs to create a free account in order to check out their books.
Each Unit begins with a bold heading telling what that unit contains. Within a Unit there will be a minimum of 5 books (one for each school day for a week). If there are more than 5 books, then you have choices! More books are offered to allow people flexibility when they find that the book they want is in use by another Open Library patron (so don't think that you need to stuff 8 books into a single week, just because there are 8 books under a unit!). If there are enough resources below (or enough interest in your family to search elsewhere for more resources), feel free to extend a Unit beyond one week, but this was made with the idea that a person would skim through World History over the course of about a year, which (when this is done) would equate to 36 units.
Each book within a unit comes with an 'Ask' portion which is provided as a means of provoking discussion or assessing listening comprehension (answers are either variable or found within the book. I do not list answers anywhere on this site at this time). At this age (Kindergarten through about 2nd grade), a child is still learning how to give coherent answers to academic questions, so this is an opportunity for a parent to help guide those answers without doing all the work for a child. One way to help in this is to guide a child back to the page of the book that has an answer and re-read it. Another suggestion would be to give a personal example (for questions asking for opinions). Keep in mind that young children simply need a brief glimpse of history and you can expect them to return for a more in-depth look at these topics in later years, so it is perfectly okay if they don't get to everything right now.
Each book also has a 'Do' portion which is intended to provide a few crafts or activities that might tie-in to the reading. Feel free to make up your own activities! Or skip that portion altogether if you simply have fun reading and discussing history.
Although I've presented these units in historical order, you don't necessarily need to work through them in the order given.
WARNING: Parental discretion is advised! History isn't always nice and sanitary. There are often mentions of death, war, various religious beliefs, and other things that you may find objectionable. I do not always list every potential area of concern (just the ones I think are the 'big' issues with a book). I take no responsibility for you child's future therapy bills if they are scared for life from something found in one of my selected books!
*A note on links: This Color means you will be taken to Open Library. This Color is a link to a .pdf or another website.
In the Beginning: Creation
This Unit is devoted to different re-tellings of the Biblical Genesis stories. If you want the original stories (or feel that any deviation from Scripture is unacceptable), please use a Bible instead of the books below.
Adam and Eve by Frank
Ask: - Do you think Adam and Eve were happy in the Garden before they disobeyed God? - How did the snake talk Eve into eating the forbidden fruit? - How do you think Adam and Eve felt as they left the Garden of Eden? Do: - Take fresh leaves and try to weave them together into a small blanket (adult supervision on what plants are acceptable for leaf-taking!) - Do some gardening (weeding or planting seeds). Note how weeds are part of the curse on the Earth. |
Noah's Ark by Pinkney
Ask: - Why was God upset with people? - Who (and what) was in the ark? - How did Noah know it was time to leave the ark? - What does this story tell you about God? Do: - Go to a zoo or a farm or any local place that has animals. - Make a boat and float it in the bathtub. (Try using a variety of materials to see what floats the best). - Paint a rainbow or use a prism to observe one. |
The Story of Creation by Atchison
Poetry Ask: - What do you think of this poem? - What are the 7 days of Creation? Do: - Make a crayon rubbing of leaves - Sit outside at night and stargaze (or find shapes in clouds during the day). |
Folktale Ask: - What was Noah's problem? - How many animals were involved in getting the elephants to move? Do: - Using paper places, make an elephant mask |
The Creation by Johnson
Poetry Ask: - How is this poem different from a Bible story account of Creation? - What do you think of this poem? Do: - Make up your own poem about the 7 days of Creation as told by Genesis. - Create a series of pictures - one for each day of Creation. |
The Story of the Tower or Babel by Davidson
Ask: - Why did the people want to build a tower? - How did the people displease God? - How did God stop the tower from being built? Do: - Build a sandcastle. - Learn a few words from a foreign language. - Make a list of things you are proud of and thank God for them. |
Abraham, friend of God by Frank
Ask: - What did God promise Abraham? - In what ways did Abraham obey God? - What would you do if you knew God was asking you to give up a favorite possession? - What did God provide as a substitute sacrifice for Isaac? Do: - Go star gazing - try to count the stars! - "Sacrifice" a favorite possession (donate it, throw it away, or simply give it up for a while) |
In the Beginning: Dinosaurs / Ice Age
Disclaimer: Science is always discovering new information about dinosaurs and early human history and picture books can quickly become obsolete. The books below take an Evolutionary view of "In the Beginning".
Dinosaurs by Turnbull
Ask: - What is a dinosaur? - Describe something interesting about meat-eating dinosaurs. - Describe some ways dinosaurs protected themselves from danger. Do: - People put bones together like giant puzzles. Do a jigsaw puzzle. - Draw your own dinosaurs. - Take a vocab quiz (words found at the end of the book) |
Fossils Tell of Long Ago by Aliki
Ask: - What is a fossil? - What kinds of things can turn into fossils? - What are some things fossils have told us? Do: - Create Salt dough fossils. Flatten out a chunk of salt dough, then lay down a plastic dino toy and press it gently into the dough to create an imprint. Once hard, you have a "fossil". Paint it if desired. - Use plaster of Paris to make a fossil. - Create and bury a hand print as described in this book. |
Dinosaurs by Gibbons
Ask: - What are two ways dinosaurs could have gone extinct? - Describe two dinosaurs found in this book. What made it unique? - What do Paleontologists do? Do: - Make a Dinosaur land with sand and rocks (kind of like what is shown here) - Make a dinosaur footprint out of play-doh or by creating a potato stamp |
Megatooth by O'Brien
Ask: - How long ago did the animals in this book roam the Earth? - Was a Megalodon or a T-rex bigger? - How do we know about Megalons? Do: - Use clay or play-doh to make some models of teeth - shark teeth or human teeth... - Go looking for fossils! Or just fun tooth-shaped rocks. - Visit an aquarium. |
Flying Dragons by Eldridge
Ask: - Describe the "flying dragons". - What were the two types of pterosaurs? How were they different? - What makes birds better than the flying reptiles at surviving? Do: - Try to make a model of an early pterosaur or a pterodactyl - Make paper airplanes and pretend they are pterosaurs. |
Where did Dinosaurs Go? by Unwin
Ask: - According to this books, why did dinosaurs go extinct? - What were some ideas scientists had about how dinosaurs died which have since been discarded? - What did you learn from this book that you didn't know before? Do: - Use clay (play-doh) to create a dinosaur. A suggested animals can be found on page 9. - Paint a picture of a dinosaur with a meteor falling from the sky or a volcano in the background. |
The time trekkers visit the Stone Age by Mason
Ask: - Describe Early humans as seen in this book. - Describe how the Stone Age people lived. - What kinds of things did the people paint on the cave walls? Do: - Make a picture time-line (similar to what is found on page 31) - Collect some rocks and paint them. - Go to a natural history museum. |
Mammoth by O'Brien
Note: This books seems to have not been scanned well and can be hard to read. Zooming in helps. Ask: - When people first discovered huge bones, what did they think they had found evidence of? - What preserved the bodies of some mammoths? - What are some differences between mammoths and elephants? - What might have caused mammoths to go extincted? Do: - Mammoth heights are given on pages 16 &19. Measure out those heights along the ground to get a better idea of those measurements. - Do an experiment. Take some fruit and divide it in half. Put half in a closed ziplock bag and place it in an out-of-the-way spot. Put the rest in another bag and place it in the freezer. Compare the two every couple of days for the next 2 weeks. Which is better preserved? |
The First Dog by Brett
Fiction Ask: - What did the dog spot that the child missed? - What senses did the dog use? - What did the dog want from the child? Did he ever get it? Do: - Play with a dog! - Create paper-bag puppets of the characters from this book and reenact the story. |
Prehistoric Animals by Gibbons
Ask: - What did you think was the strangest animal in the book? Do: - Pick a couple of animals and learn to pronounce their names. - Ancestors of modern animals can look very weird - pick an animal and imagine what its prehistoric ancestor might have looked like. |
Discovering Fossils by Rydell
Ask: - What are fossils? How do they form? - Describe what Rock Strata tell us. - Tell the story of what happened at the La Brea Tar Pits. Do: - Learn the names of some of the large bones (in a human or animal). - Create a skeleton out of popsicle sticks or straws and a hot glue gun (with parental help). - Go out hunting for a fossil. |
Ancient Egypt
Mummies, Pyramids, and Pharaohs By Gail Gibbons
Ask: - What is the Ancient Egyptian king called? - What did the Ancient Egyptians wear? - What was put inside a pyramid? Do: - Use make-up to make your eyes look like Egyptian eyes. - Make a charm (see page 19) out of clay or paper and yarn |
Ancient Egyptians by Ganeri
Ask: - What do you remember about the hair styles of boys? - What was the tale of Ra, the Sun god? - What happened to the ancient Egyptians? Do: - Make a salt dough map of the Egyptian world (see page 8). - Egyptian gods and goddesses were often depicted as humans with animal heads. Draw a new 'god' with the head of a new animal. |
Hatshepsut, his Majesty, Herself by
Ask: - What makes Hatshepsut unique as a Pharaoh? - How did Hatshepsut end up becoming Pharaoh? - What were some of Hatshepsut's accomplishments? - What did her nephew do to her statues after she died? Do: - Create a Cartouche (example seen Here) - Spell your name in Hieroglyphics (alphabet found Here) |
The Great Wonder by Howard
Fiction Ask: - Where did Kevin wake up? - What is the capstone? - Would you like to go see the pyramids being built? What would you most want to see? Do: - Make a pyramid out of rice crispy treat bars - Make mummies out of hotdogs and bread dough (like pigs in a blanket - see photo Here) |
Read About Ancient Egyptians by Jay
Ask: - What did you learn about the Nile River? - What did Champollion discover? - What were some of the best job that an Egyptian could have? Do: - Make a Pharaoh Headdress - Do a vocabulary quiz (see page 30 for some words and their definitions). |
Ancient Egypt by Tagholm
Ask: - Was there anything you found interesting about what the Ancient Egyptians wore or ate? - How do the Ancient Egyptians hunt? What tools do they use? - Name three things that the Egyptians farmed. Do: - Become a storyteller - Memorize and recite a favorite fairy tale or poem. - Play leapfrog or tug-of-war - Take the Souvenir quiz on page 30 |
Bill and Pete Go Down the Nile by dePaola
Fiction Ask: - Why did the Pharaohs build the pyramids? - Is Bill an alligator or a crocodile? - How did Pete rescue Bill and stop the Bad Guy? Do: - Get out the toilet paper and wrap someone up like a mummy - Draw a picture of Bill and Pete. |
Mummies by Milton
Ask: - What did the Ancient Egyptians think it would be like after they died? - What was the name of the pharaoh who built the greatest pyramid? - What are some of the steps needed to make a mummy? - What were some animals that were mummified? Do: - Build a pyramid (use Legos or blocks or marshmallows and frosting. - "Mummify" a toy in a blanket. Follow the steps found in this book. Bury the new mummy in a pyramid, along with treasure. Then become a tomb robber or an archaeologist and "discover" the mummy! |
The Shipwrecked Sailor by Bower
Folktale (from around 1900 BC) Ask: - What happened to the ship? - Who did the sailor meet on the island? - What are some things the sailor gave to Pharaoh? Do: - Using the hieroglyphics shown in this book, can you make your own sentence? - Copy out one or two hieroglyphics. - Create a long snake out of socks tied together or paper chain links. |
Mummies Unwrapped! by Weinberger
Ask: - What two things did the Ancient Egyptians think lived on after a person died? How were they different? - What was bad about the bodies turning into skeletons? - What happened to a body's heart? What did the Ancient Egyptians think about the brain? - The heart of a person was weighed against what object to see if the person was worthy of entering the land of the dead? Do: - Find a feather and weigh it (if you have a sensitive enough scale). Can you find anything lighter? - Make Canopic Jars (Take any cylindrical lidded container and paint the sides, then use clay or play-doh to make animal heads on the lid). |
Egyptian Gods and Goddesses by Barker
Ask: - How many gods and goddesses did the Ancient Egyptians have? - What were some of the gods or goddess? - What happened to a good or bad person after their heart was weighed? Do: - Make a Sandpaper drawing of something Egyptian (take a sheet of coarse sandpaper and color with crayons - it makes the art look rough and old). - Make a Shrunken Head from an apple (it looks like a Mummy face when done). |
Mummies by Kunhardt
Ask: - Where did Ancient Egyptians believe they went after they died? - Why did the Egyptians make mummies? - Were the mummies buried in pyramids safe? What happened to those tombs? - Centuries after the mummies were made, what kinds of things did people use the mummies for? Do: - Create a pyramid (Guide found Here) - Create "talismans" to be buried with a mummy. Paint rocks, let them dry, then paint an egyptian symbol on them (samples seen Here) |
Ancient china
You are in Ancient China by Minnis
Ask: - Describe some of how the Ancient Chinese lived. What did they wear or eat? - What do you remember about art or entertainment? - What does an Emperor do? Do: - Family and Ancestors were extremely important to the ancient Chinese. Create your own family tree. - Use a paintbrush and create a message (possibly using calligraphy). |
You Wouldn't Want to Work on the Great Wall of China! by Jacqueline Morley
*Warning* This book contains potentially objectionable material (speaking of various methods of execution, for example). Ask: - What powers did the Chinese Emperor have? - What were some things that could get a person sent to work on the Great Wall? - Why was the Great Wall built? Do: - Try to build a 'Great Wall' of your own using dirt and rocks (find a place where a child is allowed to play in the dirt and make a short, long mound and layer rocks along the outside). - Make and eat gruel for lunch (boil un-flavored oatmeal or grits). |
Maples in the mist: children's poems from the Tang Dynasty by Ho
Poetry Ask: - What poem did you enjoy the most? Why? - What did one of the poems say? (have parent read one poem and have the child describe what's happening in her own words). - These poems were written almost 2,000 years ago! Using just these poems, can you tell me anything about life in China at that time? Do: - Write your own poem. Note that these poems do not have rhyme! - Memorize one of these poems and share it with grandparents or friends. |
Ancient China by Sabin
Ask: - How did people write before paper was invented? - What was one difference between Chinese culture and Western (Greek/Roman) culture? - Name some Chinese inventions. Do: - Write your family's ages in Chinese characters - Build your own "Great Wall" from blocks/cushions/or other material - Draw or make a model of a pagoda. |
The Empty Pot by Demi
Folktale Ask: - What did the Emperor ask the people to do? - What was different about Ping from all the other people? - Why did the Emperor reward Ping? Do: - Plant a seed and try to grow it! - Use colorful tissue paper and a gluestick to make a "garden". |
Silkworm Moths by Drits
Ask: - What makes a silkworm an insect? - Can a silkworm fly? - Why does a silkworm make silk? - Describe some of the stages of growth of a silkworm - Do you recall the legend of how a princess discovered silk? Do: - Go to a fabric store and examine silk. Describe the fabric. - Do the Vocab Search (found at the beginning of the book). - Buy and raise a caterpillar (butterfly). |
The Empress and the Silkworm by Hong
Folktale Ask: - How did the Empress discover the thread of silk? - What did the Empress dream of doing with the silk? - What do silkworm caterpillars eat? Do: - Take a spool of thread and try to unwind a mile (5280 feet) worth of it. - Make friendship bracelets (preferably using silk yarn). |
The warlord's puzzle by Pilegard
Fiction Ask: - What was the warlord so angry about? - Who solved the puzzle? - What do you do when you are frustrated? Do: - Make your own Tangram pieces and make pictures from them. - Looking at silhouette patterns, use Tangram pieces to create the shapes. |
Kites: magic wishes that fly up to the sky by Demi
Ask: - What type of kite would you want? - Do you think sending a picture up in the air brings it to the attention of God (or gods)? (offer an opportunity to talk about your religious beliefs in relation to these ancient Chinese traditions) Do: - Make a kite (there are instructions starting at page 34), then go fly it! - Teach someone else about what you learned about kite flying and symbolism in China. |
Liang and the Magic Paintbrush by Demi
Folktale Ask: - How did the Emperor discover that the boy had a magic paintbrush? - What things went wrong for the Emperor? - What did the Emperor ask the boy to paint? - What would you paint with a magic paintbrush? Do: - Draw in dirt using sticks. - Paint! |
The Rooster's Horns by Young
Folktale Ask: - How did the dragon convince the rooster to give away his horns? - What 'real world' things did this fable try to explain? (What happened at the end that still happens today?) Do: - Create a puppet play using shadow puppets (see back of book for ideas) - Create your own fable of how an animal became the way it is now. |
Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China by Louie
Folktale Ask: - How was the stepmother mean to Yeh-Shen? - What did Yeh-Shen ask of the fish bones? - How did the story end? Do: - Make a Venn Diagram comparing this version of Cinderella to another version. - Get a small fish from a pet store and raise it |
Cat and Rat: The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac by Young
Folktale Ask: - How did Rat win the Race? - Did Cat become one of the twelve winners? Why not? - What do you think of what Rat did to trick Cat? Do: - Figure out what zodiac animal is yours. - Make a diorama of some part of this story. |
Ancient India
Look what came from India! by Harvey
Ask: - What are some things that were invented in India? - What are some animals that originated in India? - Out of everything you read about, what are you most thankful for that came from India? Do: - Eat a vegetarian meal or an Indian dish (there is a recipe on pg 26). - Listen to Indian music (find a sample of someone playing a sitar, perhaps) - Play a game of chess or parcheesi. |
Greek Empire
Ancient Greece by Ferris
Ask: - Why are the Greeks good with boats? Why don't they like to travel in winter? - What do you remember about Greek theater? - How is Sparta different from the other Greek cultures? Do: - Take the Souvenir Quiz (on page 30) - Paint a piece of pottery (homemade or not). Paint it black, let it dry, then paint white, tan, and gold figures on it to resemble Greek pottery. (See the bottom of page 11 for an example). - Eat a meal while lounging on a couch. |
King Midas and the Golden Touch by Craft
Mythology Ask: - What two things did King Midas love most? - What did the King wish for? - What made the King regret making his wish? - How did he remove the 'blessing' of a golden touch? Do: - Get some gold paint and some flowers and transform the flowers into gold (are they as pretty that way?) - What is your favorite color? Wear only that color. Try to dye all of your food for a meal that color. |
Pandora by Patric
Mythology Ask: - What were Pandora and Epimetheus supposed to do with the mysterious box? - What did Pandora feel about the closed box? - What happened when Pandora opened the box? - What was left in the box after all the bugs and other nasty things escaped? Do: - Make this story into a theater or puppet play and act it out. - Create a beautiful box (a shoe box wrapped in paper and decorated). |
Hercules by Geringer
Mythology Ask: - What kind of monsters dis Hercules defeat? - Re-tell the story of ow Hercules got the three golden apples. - Do you think Hercules was smart? How would you describe him? Do: - Draw or paint a picture of a fierce monster for Hercules to fight. - Have an apple for a snack. |
Theseus and the road to Athens by Espeland
Mythology Ask: - What happened when Theseus first met Hercules? - What were some of the 'Great Deeds" Theseus did on the way to Athens? - What happened once Theseus got to Athens? Do: - Create an obstacle course in the backyard (or living room) with 'Mighty Deeds' to accomplish at various points. - Have an adult create a list of helpful tasks. After doing them, prepare to present your accomplishments at dinner, toasting each one. |
Ancient Greece by Nicholson
Ask: - Ancient Greece was not one country. What was it instead? - What did you learn about philosophers? - Summarize the story of Theseus and the Minotaur. Do: - Make a Greek Theater mask out of a paper plate. - Make an edible temple out of marshmallows and graham crackers (as seen here) |
The Wooden Horse by Richardson
Mythology Ask: - Which three goddesses wanted the golden apple? What did each promise Paris if he chose her as most beautiful? - Why were the Greeks trying to get inside of Troy? - How did the Greek warriors sneak inside of Troy? Do: - Make a paper Trojan Horse (Find pattern Here) |
The Great Alexander the Great by Lasker
Ask: - What was the story of Alexander and his horse? - How did Alexander defeat Tyre? - What 'defeated' Alexander's army in India? How did he handle it? Do: - Get a world map or globe and see the area Alexander conquered (compare it to you home city or state) - Color Alexander and his Horse (coloring page found HERE) |
Roman Empire
Ancient Rome by Stroud
Ask: - What foods or drinks did the Ancient Romans eat that you've never eaten? - What do you think of the public baths? Why could the poor use the baths along with the wealthy? - What are some things the Romans did for fun? Do: - Use a white sheet to make a toga. - Take the Souvenir Quiz on page 30. - Play at being Ancient Roman doctors and make up creative "cures" to illnesses. (Like eat a cupcake to cure a skinned knee) |
*Warning* This book contains potentially objectionable material (speaks of various ways Gladiators died, for example). Ask: - What are some tasks that captured slaves might be forced to do? - What is training like for the Gladiators? - What type of fighter (from those on pages 18-19) would you choose to be? Do: - Learn some self-defense or actual sword fighting stances. - Create a model of the Colosseum from Legos. - Create a cardboard shield and decorate it. |
Ancient Rome by Kelly
Ask: - What was school like for the Ancient Roman boys? - Describe Chariot races. - Describe some of the things Romans invented. Do: - Use a white sheet to make a toga. - Create a scroll with a story on it. Stand before an audience and read it aloud. |
Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland by dePaola
Ask: - How did God answer Patrick's prayers? - Why did Patrick return to Ireland? - What are a few of the legends of Saint Patrick's miracles? Do: - Pray! - Celebrate Saint Patrick by making your food green today (put green food coloring in milk, mashed potatoes, frosting, or anything else you can think of! - Create a 3-leaf clover and tell someone how St. Patrick used it to tell people about God. |
The Legend of Saint Nicolas by Demi
Ask: - What is Nicolas the patron Saint of? - What is one miracle that Nicolas is said to have done? - What things contributed to our current view of Santa Claus? Do: - Donate some toys to those in need. - Pray for children throughout the world. - Memorize a line from the Beatitudes. - Find all the locations mentioned in this book on a world map. |
Brave Cloelia by Curry
Ask: - How did Cloelia discover a path out of the hostage camp? - What were some things the Roman's like from the Etruscan culture? - How did the king reward Cloelia's bravery? Do: - Play a game of tag at night where it is dark (in a place that adults declare as safe). - Make a Etruscan meal. |
Rome Antics by Macaulay
Note: This book opens on the title page, but you need to back up a page to read the opening sentence. Ask: - Who/what was the narrator of this book? - Did you recognize any famous landmarks in this book? (have a teacher point out the ones he/she noticed) - What challenges did the messenger face? Do: - Draw a an overhead view of your yard or a map of your neighborhood - Draw a building (it can be real or imaginary) |
The Story of Arachne by Espeland
Mythology Ask: - What was Arachne proud of? - What made Minerva most angry? - What was Arachne's punishment? Do: - Make a spiderweb out of yarn glued to construction paper. - Weave something. - Learn to use yarn (knit, crochet, or simply braid it). |
The Colosseum by Chrisp
*Warning*: Potentially objectionable material (mentions of human sacrifice, executions, and other means of death) Ask: - What was found at the center of the city of Rome? - What kinds of things happened in the Colosseum? - Why did the emperor Vespasian decide to build the Colosseum? - What eventually ended the games in the Colosseum? Do: - Stage a mock battle with one fighter using a sword/shield and another a net/trident (set this up as a drama with pre-planned strikes rather than a melee of kids) - Build a model of the Colosseum - Pretend to be the Emperor and watch a "battle" staged with toys. (Will the Teddy bear triumph over the mighty dump truck?) |
Time of the Vikings
Raiders and Traders by Ganeri
Ask: - What were some things Vikings were good at? - What did you learn about Viking writing? - How did people often settle arguments or offenses? - Of the many possible jobs a Viking could have, which would you choose? Do: - Use clay or play-doh to create a long-ship or the prow of a long-ship. - Pretend to be a skald and create a poem celebrating a mighty warrior in battle |
The Viking World by Ferris
Ask: - How did Vikings travel? - Describe a Viking house. - What are some ways Vikings have fun? What do you think of some of their entertainment? Do: - Try to write a message using runes (Viking alphabet found HERE). Note that they don't use all the English letters, so you have to be creative. - Take the Souvenir Quiz (on page 30) - Try to bake a loaf of barley bread. (Or just find some at a store to try). |
Other Ancient Civilizations
Ancient Maya by Garnei
*Warning* this book contains material that may be objectionable (mentions of human sacrifice). Ask: - Where did the Mayans live? - What did boys and girls learn? Did they go to school? - What happened to the Maya people? Do: - Write a couple simple math equations using the Maya numbers. Or figure out how to write out the date. - Using a washable marker, draw some 'tattoos' on your arms. Be sure to pick an appropriate color! (see page 27) |
The Aztecs by Nicholson
*Warning* this book contains material that may be objectionable (mentions of human sacrifice). Ask: - What was the Great Speaker? - Describe how the Aztecs farmed. - What is a sweat-room? Would you want to bathe that way? - Summarize the story of how Quetzalcoatl gives food to the People. Do: - Try to create a floating garden of your own. Take a large container of water (old kiddie pool, perhaps?). Make mud 'islands'. Or try to weave tall grasses into a floating mat. - Make Tlaxcallis (found on page 17) |
Peach Boy by Sakurai
Japanese Mythology Ask: - Why were the man and woman sad at the beginning of the story? - What were Momotaro's animal companions? Why did they travel with him? - How did the animals help Monotaro? Do - Use watercolor paints. Paint a Mountain (perhaps look at a picture of Mt. Fuji as reference). - Make an Easy Origami Dog. |
Middle Ages (MEDIEVAL Europe)
The Story of Castles by Sims
Ask: - What did a lord give to villagers in exchange for their land? - Why did lords build castles from stone instead of wood? - What were some of the problems of living in a stone castle? - What were some of the defenses that were built into castles? - Why did people stop building castles? Do: - Design your perfect castle (draw it out or use legos or any other building material) - Make a blanket-fort "castle" (complete with moat and turrets). Stockpile with projectiles (bean bags or balls of paper) and supplies (play food, stuffed animals, etc.). Withstand (or not) a parental invasion. - Make a tapestry for a wall (take a blanket and safety pin light objects or drawings to it). Hang on a wall. |
The Adventures of King Arthur by Wilkes
*Warning* This book contains potentially objectionable material (knights fight and die) Ask: - Why did the knight try to pull the sword from the stone? Who managed to pull the sword out? - How did Morgan le Fay trick King Arthur and one of his knights? - How was Arthur betrayed? Do: - Turn one of the chapters of this book into a play. - Watch the movie "Sword in the Stone" by Disney - Create "jousting peeps" (place toothpicks in 2 marshmallow peeps. Have them face each other on a plate and put them in the microwave for several seconds. Whichever peep impales the other first wins. Only do with adult supervision! - if no peeps, just use normal marshmallows). |
William Tell by Fisher
Ask: - What did Herr Gessler demand the people do? - What were some reasons people did not kneel for the hat? - What did Wililam Tell decide to do that angered Herr Gessler? What did Gessler do as a result? - What happened to William Tell and Herr Gessler? Do: - Make bow with a stick and string. Make arrows with feathers and sticks. - Take nerf balls or nerf darts and set up an apple as a target (not on someone's head). Try to hit the apple. - Try to balance an apple on your head. |
SHAKESPEAREAN Europe
In Elizabethan Times by Macdonald
Ask: - What are some differences between the clothes of the wealthy and the poor? - Did both girls and boys go to school? - What were some things brought to England from the Americas? Do: - Make a Courtier's Hat (see page 9) - Make Ginger biscuits (see page 13) |
Ask: - Can you think of any good things about the way the shops were run? - What was interesting about how London houses were built or furnished? - What was Saint Paul's Cathedral used for? Do: - Take the Souvenir's Quiz (page 30) - Dress up or make a costume! Try to dress like the people described on pages 8-9. - Create a theater play or go see one. - Play (or learn) chess or backgammon. |