This story takes the class on a camping trip with a group of children. Realizing that they need a set of rules to govern themselves, they refer to the best example: the United States Constitution. After discovering the reasons that the Constitution was written, what it means for democracy in our country, and how it gives citizens rights, laws, and freedoms, the children decide to create their own supreme law by making an unbreakable camping constitution.
This is the story of Bosley Bear and his travels to Washington, D.C. After working hard at Mt. Rushmore, Bosley decides to take a much needed vacation. With the help of his presidential friends on Mt. Rushmore, he decides to travel to Washington, D.C., where he discovers the monuments that help him to understand what America is all about.
John Russell is a young man who enters the highly guarded Pennsylvania State House just as the delegates are debating about a Constitution for the United States. John Russell’s story is told in The Constitution of the United States: The Foundation of Our Government, where he is given the opportunity to assist the delegates. George Washington praises him for the work he does, and James Madison gives him a very special gift.
In Patriots in Boston, children and families witness and participate in the events leading to the “tea party” in Boston. As taxes and new laws are forced on the colonists, they know they have to take action to preserve their freedoms. With leadership from Samuel Adams, families disguise the men as Indians, who dump the tea into the Boston Harbor, creating a pivotal moment in American history.
While America was expanding westward, some Nez Perce Indians signed a treaty with the United States that placed them on a reservation. In this story, the U.S. cavalry pursues resisting Nez Perce Indian tribe members until a battle ensues at Bear Paw Mountain that produces a victory, but no satisfaction for either side.
The Civil War has ended and Patsy Berry, a former slave, eagerly awaits the return of her husband, Hiram, but soon learns that his military service has been extended. Patsy is determined to succeed despite Hiram’s absence and an encounter with an unscrupulous carpetbagger.
In A Midsummer Night's Dream, the fairy king, Oberon, is angry with his wife, Titania. He enlists the help of a mischievous sprite named Puck to get back at her. Oberon's plan goes awry when Puck makes some foolish mistakes with the enchantments. Four humans find themselves mixed up in the strange and confusing events that night in the woods.
In The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice, a cruel manipulation turns tragic. Othello, a Moor serving as a general in the Venetian army, passes over Iago for a promotion. Iago gets angry and decides to get back at Othello. First, Iago spreads the rumor that Othello kidnapped his new bride, Desdemona. He is betting that Venetian society, with its prejudices against the dark-skinned Moors, will want to believe such a lie. When that fails, Iago plots to convince Othello that Desdemona has been unfaithful. This time, Iago's evil plan succeeds in ruining lives, including his own.
In The Taming of the Shrew, a wealthy man named Baptista wants to marry off his daughters. His youngest daughter, Bianca, is beautiful, demure, and eager to become someone's wife. His older daughter, Kate, is beautiful, but she is ill-tempered and defiant. Baptista makes a rule that before Bianca can marry, Kate must marry. Bianca's suitors set to work finding a brave man to marry Kate.
The Star-Spangled Banner: Song and Flag of Independence takes students through the events that lead to the writing of the “Star-Spangled Banner.” The students learn about the widow, Mary Pickersgill, her efforts to make a flag for the War of 1812, and how the flag later inspired Key to create his famous poem.
Coming to America is the story of a family of immigrants who are eager to come to America. After traveling from their homeland and arriving in America, they find that they cannot keep their eyes off the Statue of Liberty with its promises and hopes for the future. Certain that they will have a better life in America, the family finds the Statue of Liberty to be a symbol of their dreams.
Three women’s rights activists disagree on the steps necessary to change the law in America so that women can vote, but all three demonstrate that they are willing to make great sacrifices to fight for this important right.
