Geo-Tour
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Geo-Tour is a family curriculum to study Geography, Literature and writing together. The focus for this curriculum is to learn to write well with a copywork and dictation approach to writing well by mimicking well written authors. I have provided writing throughout related to the literature being studied; parents are also encouraged (and is scheduled) to have their students learn to write well with Writing with Ease and Writing With Skill programs. These programs are well designed.
"Young students who learn to write well need one-on-one instruction—something which your child’s classroom may not offer.
In The Complete Writer series, Susan Wise Bauer turns every parent into a writing teacher. No experience is needed.
Drawing on her fifteen years of experience in teaching writing, Susan lays out a carefully-designed sequence of steps that will teach every student to put words on paper with ease and grace. This alternative plan for teaching writing combines the best elements of old-fashioned writing instruction with innovative new educational methods—and explains why so many writing programs fail." -Well-Trained Mind
You may wish to Read: Why Writing Programs Fail
See Susan Wise Bauer's Grade Recommendations here
Science is lightly covered throughout using a DK Encyclopedia. I would suggest that students in grades 7-8 add on science. Grammar is lightly covered for grades 3-5. Otherwise, I do not recommend adding any grammar or spelling this year, I would like to see your family focus on learning to write well with the side benefit of learning proper grammar, punctuation, spelling, proper sentence and paragraph structure. You will need to add math for each student. Your youngest children may need to add in phonics.
This is a ONE-YEAR Curriculum (36 weeks) for you to use with all of your children in Grades 3-8 to learn together. If you have a set of younger children as well; you can then cycle through this program again later when the younger set gets a little older.
NOTE: This curriculum has been written for grades 3-8. If you have a high school student who would like to take this with the family it would do well, just make sure you add in Writing with Skill, grade level math, and Science.
Items to place in your cart:
Geo-Tour II Curriculum Textbook Package (comes with Manual)
Geo-Tour II Reading Package
Writing
Math
Optional add on items
| wbcgeotouriisample.pdf |
Geo-Tour II
Geo-Tour II Curriculum Textbook package Grades 3-5, 5-8, or 3-8
Geography II text, workbook, & teacher guide
Children's Illustrated Encyclopedia by DK
Big Fantastic Earth by DK
Where is the Great Wall?
Usborne Illustrated Grammar and Punctuation (grades 3-5 Pkg)
Children Just Like Me by DK (grades 3-5 pkg)
Geo-Tour II Reading package Grades 3-8
Ashanti to Zulu
The True Story of Balto
The Cay
The Cricket in Times Square
The Cricket in Times Square Student and Teacher Study Guides (optional)*
Dr. Suess The Great Doodler
Flying the Dragon
Force & Motion in Sports (Free)
Grizzly Trap
Henry Reed, Inc.
Mala, A Hero for All
Amzing Animal Journeys
Skyscrapers
Rickshaw Girl
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes (optional)*
Seven Daughters and Seven Sons (optional)*
A Single Shard
Shadow Spinner
Sky High George Ferris's Big Wheel
Usborne Illustrated Stories from Aesop
Welcome to Wonderland Home Sweet Motel
Welcome to Wonderland Beach Party (optional)*
Geo-Tour II Reading package Grades 3-5
Ashanti to Zulu
The True Story of Balto
The Cricket in Times Square
The Cricket in Times Square Student and Teacher Study Guides (optional)*
Dr. Suess The Great Doodler
Flying the Dragon
Force & Motion in Sports (Free)
Grizzly Trap
Henry Reed, Inc.
Mala, A Hero for All
Amzing Animal Journeys
Skyscrapers
Rickshaw Girl
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes (optional)*
A Single Shard
Shadow Spinner
Sky High George Ferris's Big Wheel
Usborne Illustrated Stories from Aesop
Welcome to Wonderland Home Sweet Motel
Welcome to Wonderland Beach Party (optional)*
Geo-Tour Reading Package Grades 5-8
The Cay
Flying the Dragon
Force & Motion in Sports (Free)
Grizzly Trap
Henry Reed, Inc.
Mala, A Hero for All
Skyscrapers
Rickshaw Girl
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes (optional)*
Seven Daughters and Seven Sons (optional)*
A Single Shard
Shadow Spinner
Welcome to Wonderland Home Sweet Motel
Welcome to Wonderland Beach Party (optional)*
| gradechartwritewithease.pdf |
The Complete Writer: Writing with Ease instructor text
In The Complete Writer series, Susan Wise Bauer turns every parent into a writing teacher. No experience is needed.
Drawing on her fifteen years of experience in teaching writing, Susan lays out a carefully-designed sequence of steps that will teach every student to put words on paper with ease and grace. This alternative plan for teaching writing combines the best elements of old-fashioned writing instruction with innovative new educational methods—and explains why so many writing programs fail.
Designed for elementary-aged writers and for older students who still struggle, Writing With Ease builds a sturdy foundation of basic skills for grades 1–4 (or levels 1–4 for the older student who needs more work) all in the same book. Diagnostic tests within the book will help the parent to determine where the child needs to start and which workbook the child will need.
You can use the text by itself as a guide, then choose your own copywork and dictation; or you can buy the workbooks, which do all the work for you. Each workbook covers one grade.
The Complete Writer: Writing With Ease Workbook 1
Workbook 1 provides every copywork assignment, comprehension question, and reading passage that you’ll need for a full year of writing study.
Using passages and sentences from classic children’s literature, Workbook 1 allows young writers to practice their skills while absorbing the style and grace of great authors.
Charming illustrations by Jeff West add a visual element that will spark your child’s imagination.
Take the tears out of writing…use Writing With Ease!
Not sure that this is the right level? Check out this diagnostic evaluation.
Grades 1 +
The Complete Writer: Writing With Ease Workbook 2
Workbook 2 provides every copywork assignment, comprehension question, and reading passage that you’ll need for a full year of writing study.
Using passages and sentences from classic children’s literature, Workbook 2 allows young writers to practice their skills while absorbing the style and grace of great authors.
Charming illustrations by Jeff West add a visual element that will spark your child’s imagination.
Take the tears out of writing…use Writing With Ease!
Not sure that this is the right level? Check out this diagnostic evaluation.
Grades 2+
The Complete Writer: Writing With Ease Workbook 3
This workbook provides every dictation assignment, comprehension question, and reading passage that you’ll need for a full year of writing instruction. Using passages and sentences from classic children’s literature, Writing With Ease Workbook: Level 3 allows young writers to practice their skills while absorbing the style and grace of great authors.
Charming illustrations by Jeff West add a visual element that will spark your child’s imagination.
Not sure that this is the right level? Check out this diagnostic evaluation.
Grades 3 +
The Complete Writer: Writing With Ease Workbook 4
This workbook provides every dictation assignment, comprehension question, and reading passage that you’ll need for a full year of study. Using passages and sentences from classic children’s literature, Workbook: Level 4 allows young writers to practice their skills while absorbing the style and grace of great authors.
Here’s a secret you might not know: If your student completed Level 3 without difficulty, you don’t necessarily have to do Level 4. You can go straight into Writing With Skill or take a year to do creative writing.
And if you’re working with a beginner, don’t start with Level 4. Do the diagnostic tests instead. Starting with Level 4 will frustrate your student.
Not sure that this is the right level? Check out this diagnostic evaluation.Grades 4 +
Writing with Skill level 1 set
Middle Grades - High School
This groundbreaking new writing series combines time-tested classical techniques–the imitation and analysis of great writers–with original composition exercises in history, science, biography, and literature.
Skills Taught:
~ One- and two-level outlining
~ Writing chronological narratives, biographical sketches, scientific descriptions, and sequences across the curriculum
~ Constructing basic literary essays on fiction and poetry
~ Researching and documenting source material
Features of the Program:
~ Writing assignments are modeled on examples from great literature and classic nonfiction
~ Instructor Text provides scripted dialogue to use when the student has difficulty, plus detailed guidance on how to evaluate the student’s work
~ Student workbook encourages independence by directing all assignments to the student
~ Prepares students for high-level rhetoric and composition.
Grades 6 - High school
Evan-Moor Daily 6-Trait Writing Grades 3-8
Give your students the fun and focused writing practice they need to become strong and successful writers. The 125 engaging, 10- to 15-minute lessons support any writing program. Teacher instructions included each week.
25 week program, 5 days per week (or 31 weeks if you are doing 4 days per week)
25 weeks of instruction cover the following trait-based writing skills: Ideas, Organization, word choice, Sentence Fluency, Voice, and Convention
Usborne Creative Writing Book
Ages 10+
Hardback book with interior spiral binding for easy use.
Packed with inspiring jumping-off ideas, and writing tips for different stories
Usborne Nature Journal
Perfect for nature lovers of all ages, this inspirational journal has lovely illustrations, intriguing facts and beautifully designed pages with plenty of space for your own notes and drawings. With links to specially selected websites for tips on sketching outdoors and identifying plants, animals and insects. Perfect resource for Homeschooling!
Ages 7-14
Wherever you are and wherever you dream of going, this inspirational journal will be your trusty travel companion. The beautifully designed pages include lots of space to plan a dream trip, stick in mementos, write about things you’ve seen and sketch landmarks and wildlife. With 14 pages of beautiful maps, and website links for more inspiration.
Ages 7-14
ON SALE, ONLY ONE LEFT
This write-in activity book combines story prompts, writing tips and inspiring quotes from well-known authors, with tips on developing a plot, inventing characters, writing dialogue and setting the scene. There are blank pages to write your own stories and jot down ideas, plus an elastic closure to keep it all together.
Ages 8+ (I would say more Ages 10-18)
ON SALE, ONLY 1 LEFT
Geography II Bundle
The Geography II set continues taking your student through the studies of the world. After completing the Geography I program, students are ready to cover areas of the world outside the Ancient Roman Empire. Each lesson includes physical features, history, and culture. Students will continue to deepen their understanding of past and present as they learn about ancient and modern countries.
Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Oceania, & the Americas
Grades 6-9
student text sample
Geography I review
Teacher key, quizzes, & Tests
Geo-Tour II- add this on for grades 5-8; optional
MCP Phonics C Workbook
New PB
Modern Curriculum Press Phonics C (Grade 3) Workbook- full color
Inflatable Globe
Vinyl
Mammals Science Set
The study guide your student will work through uses The World of Mammals as the primary text, alongside What Is the Animal Kingdom? and What Is a Mammal? Students will study rodents, elephants, primates, marsupials, and much more! In addition to answering comprehension questions, students will also learn by drawing the animals they are studying. The Teacher Guide includes quizzes and tests.
Watch as your student learns an in-depth amount of information as they journey through the set on mammals.
set includes: Lesson Plans, Teacher Guide, Student Guide, What is a Mammal?, What is the Animal Kingdom?, The World of Mammals.
A 33 week study.Grades 3+
What's That Bird? Science Set, Grades 5+
The study of birds uses an easily observable part of nature as the source of a fascinating science study.
A 12 Week study. Grades 5+
What’s That Bird?
Includes the 31 most common birds you will find in your backyard. Many books about birds are too complicated or technical. Not this one! Simple, easy-to-use, fun—and, most importantly, educational—especially when paired with the Memoria Press Birds Study Guide Set. This study guide accompanies What’s That Bird?, incorporating facts to know, comprehension questions, and characteristics of specific birds. Sections include, “Meet the Bird,” “How Birds Live,” and “The Wider World of Birds.”
Peterson’s First Guide: Birds and Coloring Book
Written by the “father of modern bird watching,” this easy-to-use First Guide is the perfect thing for elementary grades to learn how to identify birds. It focuses on 20 birds you are most likely to see in your backyard, no matter where you live. With illustrations and information on size, shape, color, and markings, as well as call, habits, and habitat, this book is a classic in its field. Just seeing a bird is wonderful, but in order to remember its coloring and markings, the best thing for the elementary student is to think about it a bit, which is what this color-in book accomplishes. Accompanied by facts about each bird, students will learn as they color.
Birds Flashcards (5″ x 7″)
These 31 full-color flashcards are a great way to help students identify birds by sight. Each card has the image of the bird on one side and its name on the other.
Set includes: MP Student & Teacher Study Guides, What's That Bird?, Birds Flashcards, Peterson's First Guide: Birds, Peterson's coloring Book.
Looking for basic workbooks to cover core skills? Below are Workbook bundles per grade, single titles can be found on the HMH page and on the Evan-Moor page
Evan-Moor Skills Sharpeners Grade 3 Workbook Bundle 7 workbooks
7 Workbooks in full color for Review and supplementation at Grade Level
Math, Critical Thinking, Geography, Science, Reading, Spell & Write, Grammar & Punctuation.
The Geography and Science both have Hands On Activities throughout.
Go to my Evan-Moor page to buy single titles.
Evan-Moor Jumbo Grade 3 Bundle 13 Items
7 Skill Sharpeners Workbooks in full color for Review and supplementation at Grade Level
Math, Critical Thinking, Geography, Science, Reading, Spell & Write, Grammar & Punctuation.The Geography and Science both have Hands On Activities throughout.
Grammar and Punctuation 3 (25 Grammar Rules) Teacher Reproducible
STEM Lessons & Challenges Grade 3 Science Teacher Reproducible
Write a Super Sentence (Grades 1-3)
Building Spelling Skills Grade 3 Teacher Reproducible
History Pockets Ancient Civilizations (Grades 1-3) Teacher Reproducible
Daily Word Problems Math Grade 3
Go to my Evan-Moor page to buy single titles.
Core Skills Grade 3 Secular Workbook Bundle
8 Subjects: Phonics, Spelling, Language Arts, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Math, Science, Social Studies.
Secular Workbook set
Cover the Basics with this Best Seller workbook bundle.
Science series provides informative Readings and worksheets on a variety of topics in earth, life, and physical science.
SS- Integrate history, geography, culture, economics, civics, and government. Students will practice map and geography skills and work with charts and other graphic devices. Lessons feature short paragraphs, students read the paragraph and answer the questions.
Line listed answer keys in the back of each workbook.
Evan-Moor Skills Sharpeners Grade 4 Workbook Bundle
7 Workbooks in full color for Review and supplementation at Grade Level
Math, Critical Thinking, Geography, Science, Reading, Spell & Write, Grammar & Punctuation.
The Geography and Science both have Hands On Activities throughout.
Go to my Evan-Moor page to buy single titles.
Core Skills Grade 4 Secular Workbook Bundle
8 Subjects: Phonics, Spelling, Language Arts, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Math, Science, Social Studies.
Secular Workbook set
Cover the Basics with this Best Seller workbook bundle.
Science series provides informative Readings and worksheets on a variety of topics in earth, life, and physical science.
SS- Integrate history, geography, culture, economics, civics, and government. Students will practice map and geography skills and work with charts and other graphic devices. Lessons feature short paragraphs, students read the paragraph and answer the questions. In this 4th grade workbook, fifteen lessons are included in seven units, which cover all regions found in the United States. Covering the scope of human interactions through history, students will learn about the Northeast Region, the Southeast Region, the North Central Region, the Rocky Mountain Region, the Southwest Region, and the Pacific Region.
Line listed answer keys in the back of each workbook.
Evan-Moor Skills Sharpeners Grade 5 Workbook Bundle
6 Workbooks in full color for Review and supplementation at Grade Level
Critical Thinking, Geography, Science, Reading, Spell & Write, Grammar & Punctuation.
The Geography and Science both have Hands On Activities throughout.
Go to my Evan-Moor page to buy single titles.
Core Skills Grade 5 Secular Workbook Bundle
7 Subjects: Spelling, Language Arts, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Math, Science, Social Studies.
Secular Workbook set
Cover the Basics with this Best Seller workbook bundle.
Science series provides informative Readings and worksheets on a variety of topics in earth, life, and physical science.
SS- Integrate history, geography, culture, economics, civics, and government. Students will practice map and geography skills and work with charts and other graphic devices. Lessons feature short paragraphs, students read the paragraph and answer the questions. In this 5th grade workbook, focus is on US History from Exploration - Today.
Line listed answer keys in the back of each workbook.
Evan-Moor Skills Sharpeners Grade 6 Workbook Bundle
6 Workbooks in full color for Review and supplementation at Grade Level
Critical Thinking, Geography, Science, Reading, Spell & Write, Grammar & Punctuation.
The Geography and Science both have Hands On Activities throughout.
Go to my Evan-Moor page to buy single titles.
Core Skills Grade 6 Secular Workbook Bundle
7 Subjects: Spelling, Language Arts, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Math, Science, Social Studies.
Secular Workbook set
Cover the Basics with this Best Seller workbook bundle.
Science series provides informative Readings and worksheets on a variety of topics in earth, life, and physical science.
SS- Integrate history, geography, culture, economics, civics, and government. Students will practice map and geography skills and work with charts and other graphic devices. Lessons feature short paragraphs, students read the paragraph and answer the questions. In this 6th grade workbook, focus is on World History.
Line listed answer keys in the back of each workbook.
Core Skills Grade 7 Secular Workbook Bundle
5 Subjects: Language Arts, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Math, Science.
Secular Workbook set
Cover the Basics with this Best Seller workbook bundle.
Science series provides informative Readings and worksheets on a variety of topics in earth, life, and physical science.
Line listed answer keys in the back of each workbook.
Core Skills Grade 8 Secular Workbook Bundle
5 Subjects: Language Arts, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Math, Science.
Secular Workbook set
Cover the Basics with this Best Seller workbook bundle.
Science series provides informative Readings and worksheets on a variety of topics in earth, life, and physical science.
Line listed answer keys in the back of each workbook.
Geo-Tour II Manual in print
Full Grades 3-5 in print $45.99 or
Full Grades 5-8 in print $45.99
Save by buying in the textbook package
Geo Tour II Manual In PDF
Save by buying in the textbook package
DK Children's Illustrated Encyclopedia
Reference book for all Ages
Covering more than 380 topics from dinosaurs to digital technology, this highly visual guide engages young readers with photographic spreads and illustrations annotated with amazing trivia. Featuring full-color photographs, maps, cutaway diagrams, charts, and more, Children's Illustrated Encyclopedia is written in a clear and child-friendly style with updates that include recent space missions, scientific breakthroughs, and the latest significant events. Children's Illustrated Encyclopedia is perfect for reports, homework, and independent research.
Spine book for Geo-Tour Curriculum.
DK Children Just Like Me
A favorite in classrooms, libraries, and homes, Children Just Like Me is a comprehensive view of international cultures, exploring diverse backgrounds from Argentina to New Zealand to China to Israel. With this brand new edition, children will learn about their peers around the world through engaging photographs and understandable text laid out in DK's distinctive style.
Highlighting 36 different countries, Children Just Like Me profiles 44 children and their daily lives. From rural farms to busy cities to riverboats, this celebration of children around the world shows the many ways children are different and the many ways they are the same, no matter where they live.
Geo-Tour II textbook grades 3-5
DK Big Fantastic Earth
Where is the Great Wall?
Usborne Illustrated Grammar and Punctuation
Author Jane Bingham
A new illustrated dictionary full of clear, straightforward explanations to understand the underlying rules of grammar and punctuation. Includes explanations of the rules of grammar and punctuation, descriptions of parts of speech, and lots of examples to reinforce understanding. A must-read for children and adults alike!
Geo-Tour II textbook Grades 3-5
Usborne Illustrated Stories from Aesop
Illustrated Stories from Aesop to Read-Aloud or for a child reading on their own
35 moral-teaching stories from Aesop
morals taught: pride, trickery, greed, quarrels, friendship, cunning, retorts, comeuppance
Almost Home
Newbery Honor winner Joan Bauer's new novel will touch your heart
When twelve-year-old Sugar's grandfather dies and her gambling father takes off yet again, Sugar and her mother lose their home in Missouri. They head to Chicago for a fresh start, only to discover that fresh starts aren't so easy to come by for the homeless. Nevertheless, Sugar's mother has taught her to be grateful no matter what, so Sugar does her best. With the help of a rescue dog, Shush; a foster family; a supportive teacher; a love of poetry; and her own grace and good humor, Sugar comes to understand that while she can't control the hand life deals her, she can control how she responds.
Amazing Animal Journeys
Geo- Tour II
The Bravest Dog Ever The True Story of Balto
Geo-Tour II
The Cay
When Phillip comes to, he is on a small raft in the middle of the sea. Besides Stew Cat, his only companion is an old West Indian, Timothy. Phillip remembers his mother’s warning about black people: “They are different, and they live differently.”
But by the time the castaways arrive on a small island, Phillip’s head injury has made him blind and dependent on Timothy.
Geo-Tour II
Cricket in Times Square
Newbery Honor Book
recommended reading for Grades 3-6
Tucker, the streetwise city mouse meets Chester, the Connecticut Meadow cricket in Times Square. Chester has a hidden talent that may just be able to teach even the toughest New Yorkers a thing or two.
Cricket in Times Square Literature Set
Student Study Guide
Teacher Guide
Cricket in Times Square
Grades 3-6
The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden is a Newbery Honor-book about a tiny cricket’s adventure in the Big Apple. The Study Guide and Teacher Guide, included in The Cricket in Times Square Set, develop Reading Comprehension skills.
Click on view details to order extra student study guide
Dr. Suess The Great Doodler
Geo-Tour II
Flying the Dragon
Flying the Dragon tells the story of two cousins in alternating chapters. American-born Skye is a good student and a star soccer player who never really gives any thought to the fact that her father is Japanese. Her cousin, Hiroshi, lives in Japan, and never really gives a thought to his uncle’s family living in the U.S. Their lives are thrown together when Hiroshi’s family, with his grandfather (who is also his best friend), have to move to the U.S. suddenly. Skye resents that she is now "not Japanese enough," and yet the friends she’s known forever abruptly realize she is "other." Hiroshi has a hard time adjusting to life in a new culture, and resents Skye’s intrusions on his time with Grandfather. Through all of this is woven Hiroshi’s expertise, and Skye’s growing interest in, kite making and competitive kite flying, culminating in a contest at the annual Washington Cherry Blossom Festival.
Extreme Adventures Grizzly Trap
Ages 8-12
In Grizzly Trap, Sam Fox is on a trip to North America with his Cub Scout pack when their bus crashes down a canyon. Some of the group are seriously injured, so Sam and two cubs set off to find help. But Sam is thousands of miles from home, in the middle of the American wilderness.
A wilderness full of howling wolves, and a massive, unpredictable grizzly bear that’s following them . . .
The pace of all of the Extreme Adventure novels keeps readers gripped from the first page to the last. Sam is bounced so quickly from one adventure to another, readers will hardly have time to breathe.
Henry Reed, Inc.
Henry Reed has arrived in Grover's Corner--and the town will never be the same. While spending the summer with his aunt and uncle, Henry comes up with a sure-fire money-making project: Henry Reed, Inc., Research. Henry's neighbor, Midge Glass, has an even more sure-fire hit: Reed and Glass, Inc. Now with Henry's ingenious mind and Midge's practical reasoning, Reed and Class Inc. turns into a huge success--while creating more bewildering and outrageous schemes than the townfold could have imagined.
Mala: A Hero for All
Geo-Tour II
Rickshaw Girl
Ten-year-old Naima longs to earn money to help her poor Bangladeshi family, but her talent in painting traditional patterns, or alpanas, is no use. While considering whether she could disguise herself as a boy and try to drive her father's rickshaw, she wrecks the vehicle and its painted tin sides on a test-drive, threatening the family's sole livelihood. Her solution is to steal away, disguised as a boy, to a repair shop and offer her services painting decorations on the rickshaws. She is surprised to find that the owner is a woman. When Naima reveals herself, she is hired on the condition that her father will keep bringing her for training at the shop, so that her paintings will help the business. The future looks bright for the girl and her family.
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
The star of her school’s running team, Sadako is lively and athletic…until the dizzy spells start. Then she must face the hardest race of her life—the race against time. Based on a true story, Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes celebrates the courage that makes one young woman a heroine in Japan.
See Note at bottom of Geo-Tour page.
Seven Daughters and Seven Sons
In an ancient Arab nation, one woman dares to be different. Buran cannot -- Buran will not-sit quietly at home and wait to be married to the man her father chooses. Determined to use her skills and earn a fortune, she instead disguises herself as a boy and travels by camel caravan to a distant city. There, she maintains her masculine disguise and establishes a successful business. The city's crown prince comes often to her shop, and soon Buran finds herself falling in love. But if she reveals to Mahmud that she is a woman, she will lose everything she has worked for.
See note at bottom of Geo-Tour page.
Shadow Spinner
Every night, Shahrazad begins a story. And every morning, the Sultan lets her live another day -- providing the story is interesting enough to capture his attention. After almost one thousand nights, Shahrazad is running out of tales. And that is how Marjan's story begins....
It falls to Marjan to help Shahrazad find new stories -- ones the Sultan has never heard before. To do that, the girl is forced to undertake a dangerous and forbidden mission: sneak from the harem and travel the city, pulling tales from strangers and bringing them back to Shahrazad. But as she searches the city, a wonderful thing happens. From a quiet spinner of tales, Marjan suddenly becomes the center of a more surprising story than she ever could have imagined.
A Single Shard
A Single Shard is a novel by Linda Sue Park, set in 12th-century Korea. It won the 2002 Newbery Medal, awarded for excellence in children's literature; it also received an honorable mention from the Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature.
Suggested for Grade 7 or 8
Sky High
Step into Reading level 3
Geo-Tour II
Skyscrapers
Geo-Tour II
Welcome to Wonderland Home Sweet Motel book #1
by Chris Grabenstein PB
Eleven-year-old P. T. Wilkie may be the greatest storyteller alive. But he knows one thing for a fact: the Wonderland Motel is the best place a kid could ever live! All-you-can-eat poolside ice cream! A snack machine in the living room! A frog slide! A giant rampaging alligator! (Okay, that last one may or may not be made up.) There’s only one thing the Wonderland doesn’t have, though—customers. And if the Wonderland doesn’t get them soon, P.T. and his friend Gloria may have to say goodbye to their beloved motel forever.
They need to think BIG. They need to think BOLD. They need an OUTRAGEOUS plan. Luckily for them, Gloria is a business GENIUS, and OUTRAGEOUS is practically P.T.’s middle name. With Gloria’s smarts and P.T.’s world-famous stories and schemes, there’s got to be a way to save the Wonderland!
Welcome to Wonderland #2 Beach Party Surf Monkey
by Chris Grabenstein PB
There’s always something wacky happening when you live in a motel, and P.T. (named after P. T. Barnum, of course) has grown up at the world’s wackiest! When word gets out that the hottest teen idols in Hollywood (plus current YouTube sensation Kevin the Monkey!) will be filming their next movie--Beach Party Surf Monkey—right in St. Pete’s Beach, Florida, P.T. and his friend Gloria know that the Wonderland would be the perfect location. Now they just have to convince the producers!
But when things start to go wrong (crazed fans? missing stars?), it will take all of Gloria’s business genius and P.T.’s wild stories to save the movie before both it andthe Wonderland are all washed up!
HB
Cricket in Times Square study guides- some lessons provided in the manual, this would be in addition to those.
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes- This book is a Japanese drama of the tragedy resulting from the dropping of the atom bomb on Hiroshima during World War II. Strongly suggest that parent(s) read prior to reading it aloud to the family. – it is a short read
WARNING/NOTE: Mom and I both read this book and feel that families can glean a lot of insight into Japanese culture/thinking as well as information regarding a major historical event that affected many lives. Due to the sensitivity of the book’s contents, this book is optional and would only be suggested as a read-aloud so that families can discuss the sensitive topics as they arise.
Seven Daughters and Seven Sons- This is one of those diversity titles that does really give you insight into the view of stations in life in an Arab nation. However, there are several warnings I will give for reading this book. I enjoyed the storyline of seeing a frustrated daughter in an impossible situation where there was a need to help the family financially and of eventually seeing her fall in love. On the back of the book it says 12 and up; I would say for a mature 12 and up who really enjoys reading historical fiction and understands in reading such that they will read about customs, viewpoints, etc. from a foreign viewpoint.
Welcome to Wonderland Beach Party- This is the second book in the series and is read at the end of the year; can be optional but a fun book! No warnings for this book.