Literature Guides
Morse Code, with Lightning Speed Samuel Morse and the Telegraph, by Michael Dooling
In 1844, Samuel Morse changed the world by perfecting the telegraph. No longer did people have to wait weeks for a letter to arrive. Messages could be sent instantaneously—with Lightning Speed. Educational fun!
Worksheets include: characters, plot, setting, character traits, themes, cause/effect, conflict/resolution, response to text, and summarizing. Based on an article about Samuel Morse and the telegraph, this 21 page packet includes an article, ready to print student worksheets with answers, Morse Code activity, Extension Activities, Related Web Sites and Teacher Instructions. A good resource for Elementary, Middle, and High School.
Literature Guide for George Washington’s Army and Me, by Michael Dooling
Did you know that families lived, worked, and marched right alongside George Washington’s army? This article is a perfect way to integrate English Language Arts with social studies and the study of the American Revolution.
This 37-page packet aligns with 4th and 5th-grade Informational text and Literature Standards. It also includes 3rd and 6th grade standards to accommodate a wide range of learners. All of the Core standards used, are listed in the packet.
The high interest article centers around the reasons women and children chose to follow George Washington’s Army during the Revolutionary War. It sparks a great sense of loyalty to family and country and helps students connect with those who sacrificed their safety and comforts of home.
Elijah, the main character, is one of the children who follows George Washington’s Army during the Revolutionary War. Students connect with him, the other children as well as the wives and mothers who choose to follow their loved ones.
Civil War, Dear Mother, A Civil War Soldier’s Letter, by Michael Dooling
What was it like to be a young soldier in the Civil War? Explore the origins, sufferings, and aftermath of the Civil War through the writings of Aiken, a young soldier.
Letter writing was the main form of communication during the Civil War. Many soldiers, some as young as ten year’s old, from both the North and South, wrote letters home.
Informational text worksheets include: characters, plot, setting, character traits, themes, cause/effect, conflict/resolution, response to text, and summarizing. Based on an article about the Civil War, this 25 page packet includes an article, ready to print student worksheets with answers, a Dear Mother letter written from a young soldier, Civil War facts, Mason-Dixon Line activity, vocabulary sheet, Reconstruction Era facts, extension activities, related web sites and teacher instructions. A good resource for 5th through 10th grades.
Literature Guide for Fossil Hunter: and the Lizard of the Dragon of Antiquity, by Michael Dooling
Lesson plan based on the book Fossil Hunter
Worksheets include: characters, plot, setting, character traits, themes, cause/effect, conflict/resolution, response to text, and summarizing. Based on fossil hunter William Foulke, this 22 page packet includes an article, ready to print student worksheets with answers, map of dig site, Haddy the dinosaur facts, hadrosaurus facts, bone chart, bone labeling activity, extension activities, related web sites and teacher instructions.
In 1858 fossil hunter William Foulke unearthed (in Haddonfield, NJ) the first nearly complete dinosaur skeleton ever found, proving what dinosaurs looked like and that they really once existed. William’s discovery ended years of speculation. It changed paleontology from a gentlemen’s hobby to a mainstream science. This find CHANGED THE WORLD!
Albert Einstein, Everybody is a Genius, by Michael Dooling
An inspirational article for struggling students. “Everybody is a genius, “ said Albert Einstein. “But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.” As a young boy Albert struggled. His parents and teachers thought something was wrong with him. He was clearly different. Eventually, his scientific theories would CHANGE THE WORLD!
Worksheets include: characters, plot, setting, character traits, themes, cause/effect, conflict/resolution, response to text, and summarizing. Based on an article about theoretical physicist Albert Einstein, this 18 page packet includes an article, ready to print student worksheets with answers, Einstein quotes and activity, extension activities, related web sites and teacher instructions. A good resource for Elementary, Middle, and High School.
Benjamin Franklin, by Michael Dooling
Colonial life, Benjamin Franklin, Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Editing, Proverbs, Character Education
“An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest,” said Benjamin Franklin, printer, scientist, inventor, musician, postmaster, statesman, author, diplomat, sage, and one of America’s Founding Fathers. Explore the many contributions he made to the colonies including: founding the first library, the first volunteer fire department, the first public hospital, the first mutual insurance company, and the first liberal arts college.
Worksheets include: characters, plot, setting, character traits, themes, cause/effect, conflict/resolution, response to text, and summarizing. Based on an article about Benjamin Franklin, this 22 page packet includes an article, ready to print student worksheets with answers, John Thompson, Hatter story (about editing), The Importance of Reading sheet (excerpts from his autobiography), The Importance of Mathematics sheet (Magic Square), The importance of Writing sheet (a poem about a squirrel), and the Importance of Self-improvement sheet, Aphorisms & Proverbs, Postage Stamp activity, Vocabulary, Extension Activities, Related Web Sites and Teacher Instructions. A good resource for Elementary, Middle, and High School.
Literature Guide for Young Thomas Edison, by Michael Dooling
The Mayflower Pilgrims, by Michael Dooling
Mayflower, Pilgrims, Thanksgiving, Native Americans, Immigration, Anne Hutchinson
Explore why the Mayflower Pilgrims immigrated to America and established Plimoth Colony in 1620. Fun and educational! Includes Write like a Pilgrim activity!
Worksheets include: characters, plot, setting, character traits, themes, cause/effect, conflict/resolution, response to text, and summarizing. Based on an article about the voyage of the Mayflower and the Pilgrims who settled Plimoth Colony, this 25 page packet includes an article, ready to print student worksheets with answers, Plymouth Rock fact sheet, Pokanoket Wampanoag fact sheet, Origins of Thanksgiving fact sheet, Voyage of the Mayflower map, Mayflower Passenger List, Write like a Pilgrim Activity sheet, Vocabulary sheet, Extension Activities, Related Web Sites, and Teacher Instructions. A good resource for Elementary, Middle, and High School.
Character Education, People Who Changed the World Posteres & Student Activites, by Michael Dooling
Have you ever asked your students who their role models are or who they admire? Their answers probably aren’t surprising. Today, many young people are influenced by social media and look up to those who sometimes aren’t outstanding role models. Educating young people about those who set goals and make important contributions to society is a way of promoting character education in the classroom. The posters and activities in this packet highlight people who impacted and had a positive influence on the lives of others around the world. They had strong work ethics, set goals for themselves and became successful contributors to society. Class discussions about them encourage critical thinking skills by engaging students in meaningful and personal reflection. Create a “People Who Changed the World” center and display the posters and student work. Complete instructions included. Download the free preview of this packet to learn more about the activities. Included in this packet:
4 posters featuring people who changed the world
4 cloze student worksheets with answers
1 author biographical worksheet
1 corkboard poster for student pictures
1 poster for students to sign stating their teacher knows they will change the world
Many websites for reference and student participation.
Leonardo da Vinci extension activities with student worksheets and websites, some with interactive online projects.
Detailed teacher suggestions and directions.
Literature Guide for Mary Anning and the Sea Dragon, by Michael Dooling
Fossils, Paleontology, Mary Anning and the Sea Dragon Informational Text
This product is based on the popular children’s book Mary Anning and the Sea Dragon (written by Jeannine Atkins and illustrated by Michael Dooling). The text and illustrations of the book were reviewed for accuracy by Dr. John Maisey, Fossil Fish Curator at the Museum of Natural History in New York. Worksheets include: characters, plot, setting, character traits, themes, cause/effect, conflict/resolution, response to text, and summarizing. Good resource for grades 3rd, 4th, 5th, Middle, and High School.
This packet includes an article, ready to print student worksheets with answers, paleontologist drawing activity, maps of Lyme Regis, ichthyosaur facts, fossil hunting tips, extension activities, related web sites and teacher instructions.
All winter, Mary worked with chapped, red hands. As she worked she heard her father’s voice as clearly as if he were speaking to her, “Don’t ever stop looking, Mary.”
Literature Guide for The Great Horse-Less Carriage Race, by Michael Dooling
The Great Horse-less Carriage Race Informational Text
by Author & Illustrator Michael Dooling
Worksheets include: characters, plot, setting, character traits, themes, cause/effect, conflict/resolution, response to text, and summarizing. Based on the very popular book The Great Horse-less Carriage Race, this packet includes an article, ready to print student worksheets with answers, pioneer drawing activity, racecourse map, period advertisements, extension activities, related web sites and teacher instructions.
Imagine it is the year 1895 and the big question on your mind is: will the horse-less carriage really replace the horse-and-carriage? The Great Horse-less Carriage Race was sponsored by The Chicago Times-Herald. The newspaper wanted to prove that the horse-less carriage was a better mode of transportation than the horse-and-carriage. Many people were skeptical of this new and strange machine. They thought it was just a fad and motors would never replace the horse.
The Declaration of Independence, a Masterly Pen, by Michael Dooling
Informational text worksheets include: characters, plot, setting, character traits, themes, cause/effect, conflict/resolution, response to text, and summarizing. Based on an article about the Declaration of Independence, this 28 page packet includes an article, ready to print student worksheets with answers, Declaration of Independence facts, Write like a Revolutionary activity, vocabulary sheet, Independence Day facts, extension activities, related web sites and teacher instructions. A good resource for 5th through 10th grades.
“Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, “ wrote Virginia delegate Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was chosen to write the Declaration of Independence because he had a reputation as a ‘masterly pen’. Explore why the colonists revolted, how the delegates struggled to come to terms with declaring independence, and what Independence Day really means.
The fifty-six men who signed the Declaration CHANGED THE WORLD! Use this lesson plan to teach the true meaning behind the Fourth of July.