Long ago, it often took weeks for postal workers to deliver mail to people who lived far away. Today, mail is transported quickly by trucks and airplanes, and it usually reaches its destination in a few days. Postal workers deliver mail directly to homes, businesses, and mailboxes.
Actors have entertained audiences for thousands of years. In the past, plays were performed both to entertain and to teach. Today, plays involve the use of lighting, sound systems, and elaborate sets and often have large casts that include many actors.
Farmers are important because they grow the food that people eat. Modern equipment enables farmers to grow more food for an ever-increasing world population.
Fishers have provided food for thousands of years. Long ago, fishers had to fish close to land and used simple fishing tools such as knives, hoes, and spears. With the use of modern boats and fishing equipment, today's fishers fish far out in the ocean and catch a large variety of fish for market.
Librarians lend and take care of books. Many years ago, the job of a librarian was simpler because librarians only took care of a few books and libraries were small. Most libraries today contain many books, magazines, computers, and other media equipment. Librarians today help people find information and show them new ways to find it.
For over two hundred years, individuals have protected and served their communities as lawmen. Today, people who help enforce the law are called police officers because both men and women can serve in the police force.
Many years ago, doctors trained nurses to help them treat people. Today, nurses go to school to learn about medicine and about how to help people when they are sick. Nurses perform many of the same duties as doctors.
The first teachers in the United States were students who did well in school and were hired to teach other students. Today, teachers must have college degrees to teach. Schools today are larger than those in the past and often have several separate classes at the same grade level.
Firefighters are community heroes and their job is to help wherever there is trouble. Firefighters must be well trained, wear protective uniforms, and ride on trucks that are equipped to fight fires. Firefighters and the equipment they use today have changed significantly over the years.
Journey through Earth's wet and wild rainforests with vivid photographs of the most unique plants and animals in the world's most untouched forests. Readers are introduced to the importance of protecting the rainforests and vocabulary related to the rainforest and its amazing inhabitants.
Take a trip through the different forests of the world to discover where forests are located and what types of animals are native to forests. This book features colorful pictures, a detailed map of forests on earth, and vocabulary related to forests.
Discover the heat of the desert, its plant and animal life, and principles of evaporation and erosion. A detailed map is included that shows the locations of the world's deserts as well as a graph that shows largest deserts in the world.
From Chinese New Year to the Fourth of July, readers will learn about various holidays around the world and the activities that make them so much fun. The connection to language arts is made through important vocabulary words that help describe the customs of different cultures and the holidays that accompany these customs.
Moctezuma was the most famous leader of the powerful Aztec empire. The Aztecs were expert warriors. Most of central Mexico was under their rule at one time. Moctezuma was elected as the ruler of the empire. He was a fair leader who believed in strictly following the laws. He ruled for 17 years until the fall of the Aztec empire.
Mansa Musa was the king of Mali. Located in western Africa, Mali became one of the largest empires during Musa's reign. He helped his empire grow in size and culture by encouraging arts, literature, and architecture. He improved trade with the Arab and opened up other trade routes. During Musa's reign, he made Mali a powerful and wealthy state.
Hammurabi was a king of Babylon, but he wanted to rule the entire area of Mesopotamia. After only five years of being king, Hammurabi reached his goal. During his reign, Hammurabi did many things to improve and influence both the culture and government of Mesopotamia.
Confucius was a philosopher who devoted his life to relieving the suffering he saw. His philosophy stressed the natural order of a moral, just, society. After his death, his followers shared his teachings, influencing future generations.
Socrates was an ancient Greek philosopher who helped shape Greek beliefs. Socrates believed his purpose in life was to gain wisdom and find the truth by asking questions. Socrates made many people over his methods of teaching. He was arrested and sentenced to death. But, many of Socrates's ideas and beliefs can still be found today.
Siddhartha Gautama was born to the king of a tribe in Northern India. An astrologer told his father that Gautama would either become a king or he would leave his riches behind to save humanity. His father sheltered him from all of the poverty in the streets. When Gautama finally left his palace he saw the suffering of people and wanted to change the world. He started the religion called Buddhism.
Discover different jobs in the community and how these jobs help people with photos of teachers, police officers, and firefighters: jobs that all require work. Readers will be exposed to what these jobs require and vocabulary related to community workers.
Abigail Adams was an intelligent woman who lived during an exciting time in American history--the American Revolution. In this inspiring biography, children will read about Abigail's life, her marriage to John Adams, her role as First Lady of the United States, and her thoughts during such events as the Stamp Act, the Boston Massacre, and other boycotts in the colonies. Engaging images, supportive text, fascinating facts, and a helpful glossary and table of contents are provided to aid in better understanding of the content and vocabulary.
From the Vikings to Henry Hudson, the great explorers sailed across uncharted waters during the Age of Discovery in search of many things, including adventure and wealth. Their exploration not only changed maps of the world but also paved the way for the settlement of the New World.
Christopher Columbus is one of the most famous explorers of all time. Young readers will learn about the discoveries he made in this fascinating biography. Using vivid images, supportive text, and engaging sidebars, children will learn about Columbus' exploration to the New World and what an impact it made on Spain, the Native Indians, and the world. The glossary and table of contents help readers easily find their way through the pages and gain a better understanding of the content.
The colonies were the birthplace of the United States and they were made up of people that came from various backgrounds seeking religious freedom, wealth, and success. Daily life for the colonists was different depending on the region in which they lived, yet they established a united nation built on freedom and the pursuit of happiness.
Phillis Wheatley was the first black person in America to have a book published, opening the door for other black writers and female authors. She was kidnapped and brought to the colonies as a child and served as a slave to a family in Boston. Phillis learned to read and write at a young age.
