More Special Features
Special activities built around books and primary sources, for teachers and students.
Special features
Henry Hikes to Fitchburg
Henry Hikes to Fitchburg by D. B. Johnson is a book for ages 4 to 104. It is based on Walden written by Henry David Thoreau, a writer, naturalist, and surveyor in the mid 1800s. In the book, Henry and his friend travel from Concord to Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Henry hikes the 30 miles while his friend works odd jobs for the train fare. Who arrives first? Read this delightful book, then choose your path to Fitchburg. Be sure to keep a journal of your activities.
Henry Builds a Cabin Activity
When Henry decides to build a cabin, he is given lots of advice from his friends. While others think it should be bigger, he has his own ideas. Follow Henry through the building process and see how his cabin is just right! Then, play the Build a Cabin game. Henry Builds a Cabin is another fantastic book by D.B. Johnson that looks at the life of Henry David Thoreau in a delightfully engaging way. It is a book for all ages.
Revolutionary Viewpoints
April Morning by Howard Fast is on many core reading lists and addresses several of the standards in reading/language arts as well as social studies. This lesson draws upon primary sources as a means to interpret the events of April 19, 1775.
Teacher Page: Library of Congress
Learn about primary resources while exploring the American Memory collections from the Library of Congress. Lots of activities for all grade levels.
Big6: In the Hollow of a Tree
Baby raccoons will delight your students as you engage them in learning how to use the Big6 Information Access Skills for problem-solving. Did you know that raccoons vocalize over 200 sounds?
Who Dunnit?
Who took a bite out of the candy? Sticky fingers have been found on the broken aquarium glass. Wet footprints lead to the open window. What is that powdery substance next to the broken piggy bank? Answering these questions is what forensic science is all about. Learn how to be a crime solver by exploring the world of the forensic scientist. Then, solve The Case of the Barefoot Burglar.
