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Teacher Resources

If your school uses Renaissance Learning's Accelerated Reader (a computerized testing program), reading practice quizzes are now ready for the following:

Alvin Fernald, Foreign Trader (#132909)

Alvin Fernald, Mayor for a Day (#132910)

Alvin's Secret Code (#132911)

A Day on Skates by Hilda van Stockum (#120829)
Downright Dencey by Caroline Snedeker (#19012)
Archimedes and the Door of Science by Jeanne Bendick (#120348)
Beowulf the Warrior by Ian Serraillier (#120349)
Galen and the Gateway to Medicine by Jeanne Bendick (#120350)
Happy Times in Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren (#120351)
Hittite Warrior by Joanne Williamson (#120352)
John Treegate’s Musket by Leonard Wibberley (#120353)
The Mystery of the Periodic Table by Benjamin D. Wiker (#120355)
Red Falcons of Tremoine by Hendry Peart (#120354)
The Winged Watchman by Hilda van Stockum (#120356)
Year of the Black Pony by Walt Morey (#120357)
Secret Agents Four by Donald Sobol (#120764)
The Hidden Treasure of Glaston by Eleanore M. Jewett (#120765)
The Miracle of Saint Nicholas by Gloria Whelan (#120766)

Bethlehem Books Core Knowledge Titles

"Core Knowledge" schools and homeschools use the Core Knowledge Sequence, K-8 as a grade-by-grade guide to important knowledge. Core Knowledge is based on the work of Dr. E.D. Hirsch, Jr., author of Cultural Literacy and The Schools We Need and Why We Don't Have Them. Many of our historical fiction and nonfiction titles have now been aligned to the Core Knowledge Sequence.

Readability Level (RL):
Readability formulas estimate how difficult text is to read. Most are based on word length, word familiarity, and sentence length. RL can help match readers to appropriate books, but other factors such as interest in the subject and background knowledge of the subject are equally important for comprehension. The Flesch-Kincaid formula we use is based on grade level. Books at a higher grade level can still be used as read-alouds or books to read with help.

Interest Level:
Bethlehem Books' age recommendations consider the style of writing and type of stories which appeal to various age groups. Some of our books are placed in higher age groups (12-up, 14-up) because of mild romantic references or episodes of violence, usually associated with battles or wars.


Bethlehem Books which support the Core Knowledge Curriculum:


Grade 3

Away Goes Sally by Elizabeth Coatsworth
RL: 5.8, Interest Level: Ages 8-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 1790's New England
History and Geography (of interest for New England history, although not before the Revolution)
Use: Read aloud

Five Bushel Farm by Elizabeth Coatsworth
RL: 6.8, Interest Level: Ages 8-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 1790's New England
History and Geography (of interest for New England history, although not before the Revolution)
Use: Read aloud

Galen and the Gateway to Medicine by Jeanne Bendick
RL: 8, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Biography / 129 Rome
History and Geography / Ancient Rome / The Empire / Life in the Roman Empire
Use: Read aloud (especially "Galen and the Gladiators" and "Galen Goes to Rome")


Grade 4

Augustine Came to Kent by Barbara Willanrd
RL: 5, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 597 Britain
History and Geography / Europe in the Middle Ages / Developments in the History of the Christian Church
Use: Read with help, read alone

Becky Landers: Frontier Warrior by Constance Lindsay Skinner
RL: 5.1, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 1778 American Frontier
American History and Geography / American Revolution
Use: Read with help, read alone

Big John's Secret by Eleanor M. Jewett
RL: 5.1, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 1218 England, Holy Land
History and Geography / Europe in the Middle Ages / England in the Middle Ages / King John
History and Geography / Spread of Islam and the "Holy Wars" / Wars Between Muslims and Christians / The Crusades
Use: Read with help, read alone

God King by Joanne Williamson
RL: 4.3, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 700 B.C. Egypt, Judea
History and Geography / Early and Medieval African Kingdoms / Early African Kingdoms / Kush (in a region also called Nubia): Once ruled by Egypt, then became rulers of Egypt
Use: Read alone

Hidden Treasure of Glaston by Eleanor M. Jewett
RL: 6.5, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 1171 England
Language Arts / Fiction / Myths and Mythical Characters / Legends of King Arthur and the Knights
Use: Read aloud, read with help

If All the Swords in England by Barbara Willard
RL: 5.9, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 1164-1170 England
History and Geography / Europe in the Middle Ages / Developments in History of the Christian Church
History and Geography / Europe in the Middle Ages / England in the Middle Ages / Henry II / Murder of Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral
Use: Read aloud, read with help

The Lost Baron by Allen French
RL: 4.4, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 1200 England
History and Geography / Europe in the Middle Ages / Feudalism / Life on a manor, castles
History and Geography / Europe in the Middle Ages / Feudalism / Lords, vassals, knights, freedmen, serfs
History and Geography / Europe in the Middle Ages / Feudalism / Code of chivalry
History and Geography / Europe in the Middle Ages / Feudalism / Knight, squire, page
Use: Read alone

The Reb and the Redcoats by Constance Savery
RL: 6.2, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 1780's England
History and Geography / American Revolution / The Revolution / Benedict Arnold (briefly)
Use: Read aloud, read with help

Red Falcons of Tremoine by Hendry Peart
RL: 5.8, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 1100's England
History and Geography / Europe in the Middle Ages / Feudalism / Life on a manor, castles
History and Geography / Europe in the Middle Ages / Feudalism / Lords, vassals, knights, freedmen, serfs
History and Geography / Europe in the Middle Ages / Feudalism / Code of chivalry
History and Geography / Europe in the Middle Ages / Feudalism / Knight, squire, page
Use: Read aloud, read with help

The Red Keep by Allen French
RL: 4.7, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 1165 Burgundy
History and Geography / Europe in the Middle Ages / Feudalism / Life on a manor, castles
History and Geography / Europe in the Middle Ages / Feudalism / Lords, vassals, knights, freedmen, serfs
History and Geography / Europe in the Middle Ages / Feudalism / Code of chivalry
History and Geography / Europe in the Middle Ages / Feudalism / Knight, squire, page
Use: Read alone

Shadow Hawk by Andre Norton
RL: 7.3, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 1590 B.C. Egypt
History and Geography / Early and Medieval African Kingdoms / Early African Kingdoms / Kush (in a region also called Nubia): Once ruled by Egypt, then became rulers of Egypt
Use: Read aloud

Son of Charlemagne by Barbara Willard
RL: 5.6, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 780's France
History and Geography / Europe in the Middle Ages / Developments in History of the Christian Church / Charlemagne
Use: Read aloud, read with help


Grade 5

Archimedes and the Door of Science by Jeanne Bendick
RL: 5.0, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Biography / 200 B.C. Greece
Math / Geometry / Circles, Area
Math / Numbers and Number Sense / Large numbers, Exponents
Use: Read alone

Madeleine Takes Command by Ethel C. Brill
RL: 6.0, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 1692 Canada
History and Geography / European Exploration, Trade, and the Clash of Cultures / European Exploration, Trade, and Colonization / England and France / Colonies in N America
Use: Read with help, read alone

The Mystery of the Periodic Table by Benjamin D. Wiker
RL: 9.1 (early chapters lower), Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Science History / Across History
Science / Chemistry: Matter and Change / Atoms, Molecules, and Compounds
Science / Chemistry: Matter and Change / Elements
Science / Chemistry: Matter and Change / Chemical and Physical Change
Use: Read aloud, read with help (chapters 1-12 or 13)

Nacar, the White Deer by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino
RL: 7.1, Interest Level: Ages 9-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 1630 Mexico
History and Geography / European Exploration, Trade, and the Clash of Cultures / European Exploration, Trade and Colonization / Spain
Use: Read aloud, read with help

Red Hugh, Prince of Donegal by Robert T. Reilly
RL: 6.1, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 1580's Ireland
History and Geography / England from the Golden Age to the Glorious Revolution / England in the Golden Age / Elizabeth I (relationship to Ireland)
Use: Read with help, read alone

The Texas Panhandle Series by Loula Grace Erdman
The Wind Blows Free
The Wide Horizon
The Good Land

RL: 4.5-5.0, Interest Level: Ages 11-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 1890's Texas
History and Geography / American History / Westward Expansion / Westward Expansion after the Civil War / Homestead Act, Railroads
Use: Read alone

Year of the Black Pony by Walt Morey
RL: 3.6, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / early 1900's Oregon
History and Geography / American History / Westward Expansion / Westward Expansion after the Civil War
Use: Read Alone

Grade 6

Archimedes and the Door of Science by Jeanne Bendick
RL: 5.0, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Biography / 200 B.C. Greece
History and Geography / Lasting Ideas from Ancient Civilizations / Ancient Greece / The classical ideal of human life and works
Math / Geometry / Circles, Area
Math / Numbers and Number Sense / Large numbers, Exponents
Use: Read alone

Beowulf the Warrior retold by Ian Serrallier
RL: 7.3, Interest Level: Ages 9-up
Genre: Epic Poetry / 500's Denmark
English / Fiction and Drama / Literary Terms / Epic, Literal and Figurative Language
English / Fiction and Drama / Classical Mythology
Use: Read with help, read alone

The Fair American by Elizabeth Coatsworth
RL: 5.7, Interest Level: Ages 8-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 1790's France
History and Geography / French Revolution
Use: Read alone

First Farm in the Valley by Ethel Pochocki (available fall 2008)
RL: 4.6, Interest Level:
Genre: Historical Fiction / 1876 Wisconsin
History and Geography / American History / Immigration / Immigrants arrive from eastern Europe
Use: Read alone

The Flying Ensign: Greencoats Against Napolean by Showell Styles
RL: 7.0, Interest Level: Ages 12-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / early 1800's Spain
History and Geography / French Revolution / Napolean Bonapart and the First French Empire
Use: Read with help, read alone

Galen and the Gateway to Medicine by Jeanne Bendick
RL: 8.0, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Biography / 129 Rome
Science / The Human Body / The circulatory and lymphatic systems
History and Geography / Lasting Ideas from Ancient Civilizations / Ancient Rome / The Roman Republic
Use: Read aloud, read with help, read alone

God King by Joanne Williamson
RL: 4.3, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 700 B.C. Egypt, Judea
History and Geography / Lasting Ideas from Ancient Civilizations / Judaism and Christianity / Judaism: central ideas and moral teachings
History and Geography / Lasting Ideas from Ancient Civilizations / Judaism and Christianity / Geography of the Middle East
Use: Read alone

Hittite Warrior by Joanne Williamson
RL: 5.4, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 1200 B.C. Judea
History and Geography / Lasting Ideas from Ancient Civilizations / Judaism and Christianity / Judaism: central ideas and moral teachings
History and Geography / Lasting Ideas from Ancient Civilizations / Judaism and Christianity / Geography of the Middle East
Use: Read alone

Victory on the Walls: A Story of Nehemiah by Frieda Clark Hyman
RL: 5.3, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 445 B.C. Israel
History and Geography / Lasting Ideas from Ancient Civilizations / Judaism and Christianity / Judaism: central ideas and moral teachings
History and Geography / Lasting Ideas from Ancient Civilizations / Judaism and Christianity / Geography of the Middle East
Use: Read alone


Grade 7

Archimedes and the Door of Science by Jeanne Bendick
RL: 5.0, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Biography / 200 B.C. Greece
Math / Geometry / Three-dimensional objects
Math / Measurement / Circumference and area of circle
Use: Read alone

Beowulf the Warrior retold by Ian Serrallier
RL: 7.3, Interest Level: Ages 9-up
Genre: Epic Poetry / 500's Denmark
English / Elements of Poetry / Review: onomatopoeia, alliteration
English / Elements of Poetry / Review: narrative form
Use: Read alone

Enemy Brothers by Constance Savery
RL: 4.9, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / WWII England
History and Geography / World War II / WWII in Europe and at Home, 1939-45
Use: Read alone

The Miracle of Saint Nicholas by Gloria Whelan
Interest Level: All Ages
Genre: Historical Fiction / 1900's Russia
History and Geography / Russian Revolution
Use: Read alone

The Mitchells: Five for Victory by Hilda van Stockum
RL: 5.0, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / WWII Washington D.C
History and Geography / World War II / WWII in Europe and at Home, 1939-45 / Home Front in America
Use: Read alone

The Mystery of the Periodic Table by Benjamin D. Wiker
RL: 9.1, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Science History / Across History
Science / Atomic Structure / Early theories of matter / Greek theory of four elements
Science / Atomic Structure / Early theories of matter / Alchemy in the Middle Ages
Science / Atomic Structure / Start of modern chemistry / Lavoisier and oxygen
Science / Atomic Structure / Start of modern chemistry / John Dalton revives the theory of the atom
Science / Atomic Structure / Start of modern chemistry / Mendeleev develops the Periodic Table
Use: Read aloud, read with help, read alone (last 2 chapters more appropriate for high school age)

A Penny for a Hundred by Ethel Pochocki
RL: 5.5, Interest Level: Ages 8-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 1944 Maine
History and Geography / World War II / WWII in Europe and at Home, 1939-45 / Home Front in America
Use: Read alone

The Small War of Sergeant Donkey by Maureen Daly
RL: 6.8, Interest Level: Ages 9-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / WWII Italy
History and Geography / World War II / WWII in Europe and at Home, 1939-45
Use: Read alone

That Girl of Pierre's by Robert Davis
RL: 6.1, Interest Level: Ages 12-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 1946 France
History and Geography / World War II / WWII in Europe and at Home (Recovery from the war)
Use: Read alone

The Winged Watchman by Hilda van Stockum
RL: 4.9, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / WWII Holland
History and Geography / World War II / WWII in Europe and at Home
Use: Read alone


Grade 8

Archimedes and the Door of Science by Jeanne Bendick
RL:5.0, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Biography / 200 B.C. Greece
Science / Physics / Forces, Density and Buoyancy (esp. the experiment of Archimedes), Work, Energy
Use: Read alone

Beowulf the Warrior retold by Ian Serrallier
RL: 7.3, Interest Level: Ages 9-up
Genre: Epic Poetry / 500's Denmark
English / Elements of Poetry / Review: onomatopoeia, alliteration, assonance
English / Elements of Poetry / Review: imagery, narrative form
Use: Read alone


The following titles fit into the Core Knowledge Sequence, but are appropriate for students older than those in grades where the content is studied. They would help older students reinforce topics from earlier years.

Beorn the Proud by Madeline Polland
RL: 5.1, Interest Level: Ages 10-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 800's Ireland, Denmark
History and Geography / The Vikings
Use: Read with help, read alone

Beyond the Desert Gate by Mary Ray
RL: 5.5, Interest Level: Ages 14-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 70 A.D. Palestine
World History and Geography / Lasting Ideas from Ancient Civilizations
Use: Read alone

The Borrowed House by Hilda van Stockum
RL: 4.9, Interest Level: Ages 14-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 1943 Holland
History and Geography / World War II / WWII in Europe and at Home, 1939-45
Use: Read alone

Brave Buffalo Fighter by John D. Fitzgerald
RL: 5.0, Interest Level: Ages 12-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 1860 Oregon Trail
History and Geography / American History / Westward Expansion before the Civil War / Pioneers / Wagon trains, Oregon Trail
History and Geography / American History / Westward Expansion before the Civil War / Indian resistance
History and Geography / American History / Native Americans: Cultures and Conflicts
Use: Read alone

Downright Dencey by Caroline Snedeker
RL: 4.4, Interest Level: Ages 12-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / early 1800's Nantucket
History and Geography / New England / Massachusetts, development of maritime economy (of interest for New England history, although not before the Revolution)
History and Geography / Quakers
Use: Read aloud or read with help

The Ides of April by Mary Ray
RL: 7, Interest Level: Ages 14-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 62 A.D. Rome
World History and Geography / Lasting Ideas from Ancient Civilizations / Ancient Rome / The Roman Republic
Use: Read alone

John Treegate's Musket by Leonard Wibberley
RL: 6.8, Interest Level: Ages 14-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 1769 Colonial America
History and Geography / The American Revolution / The Revolution / Bunker Hill
History and Geography / The American Revolution / The Revolution / Loyalists (Tories)
History and Geography / The American Revolution / The Revolution / European Helpers
Use: Read alone

Presenting Miss Jane Austen by May Lamberton Becker
RL: 8.7, Interest Level: Ages 12-up
Genre: Biography / 1775-1817 England
World History and Geography / The Enlightenment / Romanticism
Use: Read with help, read alone

With Pipe, Paddle, and Song by Elizabeth Yates
RL: 5.6, Interest Level: Ages 14-up
Genre: Historical Fiction / 1750's Canada
History and Geography / European Exploration, Trade, and the Clash of Cultures / European Exploration, Trade, and Colonization / England and France / Colonies in N America
Use: Read Alone

 


  

 

Lesson Plans:

 

Archimedes Character Map
 
 
I Have, Who Has Game
The Mysterious Phlogiston