Explore the D'Aulaire classics and be duly inspired by larger-than-life people who impacted the shaping of America.  In 5 short weeks, Blackbird & Company guides will walk upper elementary and middle school (grades 4-8) writers through the process of composing an original biographical essay. Weeks 1 - 3 activities introduce a  rich vocabulary to describe the character traits exemplified by these historical figures, provide observation questions designed to help students extract details that matter, and equip students with the scaffolding that enables them to craft one body paragraph that will later become part of the culminating essay. During week 4 students craft a simple introduction and conclusion, put the components together, and, viola, an essay! There is a fifth week creative project, of course, that offers directives to tap into the student's imagination.

Join the greatest mariner that ever lived.

Learn many little-known facts not generally included in the typical biographies of Columbus. Learn that it was the saga of Leif Erickson that was one of the inspirations for Columbus's voyage to the East. Columbus was such a skilled astronomer that he knew the exact date when the next eclipse of the moon was and used that knowledge to his advantage. Also learn that though "Columbus was a great man, he was not a modest man. He wanted too much, and so he did not get enough" (54).