Books with author Andrew Collins

New evidence showing that the earliest origins of human culture, religion, and technology derive from the lost world of the Denisovans • Explains how Göbekli Tepe and the Giza pyramids are aligned with the constellation of Cygnus and show evidence of enhanced sound-acoustic technology • Traces the origins of Göbekli Tepe and the Giza pyramids to the Denisovans, a previously unknown human population remembered in myth as a race of giants • Shows how the ancient belief in Cygnus as the origin point for the human soul is as much as 45,000 years old and originally came from southern Siberia Built at the end of the last ice age around 9600 BCE, Göbekli Tepe in southeast Turkey was designed to align with the constellation of the celestial swan, Cygnus--a fact confirmed by the discovery at the site of a tiny bone plaque carved with the three key stars of Cygnus. Remarkably, the three main pyramids at Giza in Egypt, including the Great Pyramid, align with the same three stars. But where did this ancient veneration of Cygnus come from? Showing that Cygnus was once seen as a portal to the sky-world, Andrew Collins reveals how, at both sites, the attention toward this star group is linked with sound acoustics and the use of musical intervals “discovered” thousands of years later by the Greek mathematician Pythagoras. Collins traces these ideas as well as early advances in human technology and cosmology back to the Altai-Baikal region of Russian Siberia, where the cult of the swan flourished as much as 20,000 years ago. He shows how these concepts, including a complex numeric system based on long-term eclipse cycles, are derived from an extinct human population known as the Denisovans. Not only were they of exceptional size--the ancient giants of myth--but archaeological discoveries show that this previously unrecognized human population achieved an advanced level of culture, including the use of high-speed drilling techniques and the creation of musical instruments. The author explains how the stars of Cygnus coincided with the turning point of the heavens at the moment the Denisovan legacy was handed to the first human societies in southern Siberia 45,000 years ago, catalyzing beliefs in swan ancestry and an understanding of Cygnus as the source of cosmic creation. It also led to powerful ideas involving the Milky Way’s Dark Rift, viewed as the Path of Souls and the sky-road shamans travel to reach the sky-world. He explores how their sound technology and ancient cosmologies were carried into the West, flowering first at Göbekli Tepe and then later in Egypt’s Nile Valley. Collins shows how the ancient belief in Cygnus as the source of creation can also be found in many other cultures around the world, further confirming the role played by the Denisovan legacy in the genesis of human civilization.

New evidence showing that the earliest origins of human culture, religion, and technology derive from the lost world of the Denisovans • Explains how Göbekli Tepe and the Giza pyramids are aligned with the constellation of Cygnus and show evidence of enhanced sound-acoustic technology • Traces the origins of Göbekli Tepe and the Giza pyramids to the Denisovans, a previously unknown human population remembered in myth as a race of giants • Shows how the ancient belief in Cygnus as the origin point for the human soul is as much as 45,000 years old and originally came from southern Siberia Built at the end of the last ice age around 9600 BCE, Göbekli Tepe in southeast Turkey was designed to align with the constellation of the celestial swan, Cygnus--a fact confirmed by the discovery at the site of a tiny bone plaque carved with the three key stars of Cygnus. Remarkably, the three main pyramids at Giza in Egypt, including the Great Pyramid, align with the same three stars. But where did this ancient veneration of Cygnus come from? Showing that Cygnus was once seen as a portal to the sky-world, Andrew Collins reveals how, at both sites, the attention toward this star group is linked with sound acoustics and the use of musical intervals “discovered” thousands of years later by the Greek mathematician Pythagoras. Collins traces these ideas as well as early advances in human technology and cosmology back to the Altai-Baikal region of Russian Siberia, where the cult of the swan flourished as much as 20,000 years ago. He shows how these concepts, including a complex numeric system based on long-term eclipse cycles, are derived from an extinct human population known as the Denisovans. Not only were they of exceptional size--the ancient giants of myth--but archaeological discoveries show that this previously unrecognized human population achieved an advanced level of culture, including the use of high-speed drilling techniques and the creation of musical instruments. The author explains how the stars of Cygnus coincided with the turning point of the heavens at the moment the Denisovan legacy was handed to the first human societies in southern Siberia 45,000 years ago, catalyzing beliefs in swan ancestry and an understanding of Cygnus as the source of cosmic creation. It also led to powerful ideas involving the Milky Way’s Dark Rift, viewed as the Path of Souls and the sky-road shamans travel to reach the sky-world. He explores how their sound technology and ancient cosmologies were carried into the West, flowering first at Göbekli Tepe and then later in Egypt’s Nile Valley. Collins shows how the ancient belief in Cygnus as the source of creation can also be found in many other cultures around the world, further confirming the role played by the Denisovan legacy in the genesis of human civilization.

Dorkius is annoyed when he has to move with his family to Pompeii for the summer in his third adventureDorkius has to leave behind all the joys of Rome for a boring small town. He finds the people of Pompeii to be even more superstitious than his mom, and watches in disbelief as they base all their decisions around animal innards readings. Things brighten up when he meets Decima, a local girl who's convinced a demon is haunting nearby Mount Vesuvius. They go off to investigate and Dorkius finds that the demonic rumbles are coming from inside the volcano itself. Convinced that Vesuvius is about to erupt, Dorkius rushes down to the town to warn everyone, but will they listen?

An unassuming werewolf joins forces with a teen vampire in this humorous addition to the Totally Lame Vampire series.Luke Thorpe is great at math and terrible at sports. He prefers to stay in the background when possible, but suddenly he’s found himself howling at the moon and doing a lot of really hairy things! Turns out Luke is going through a phase. Or more like a transformation. He’s a werewolf. How does an average kid whose biggest problems until now have been avoiding the school bully and preparing for his end-of-the-year exams cope with these changes? (He really has to study, not chase cars!) He’s going to need help—a whole pack of it. But when war threatens to break out between the vampires and the werewolves, can Luke and a new pointy-toothed friend save the day?

In this reader for youngsters, three pre-teen siblings pull everyone along through a series of happenings where ingrained traits of responsibility and courage along with a free spirit stand them in good stead. Readers are first introduced to the oldest of the three, a fifth-grader, when a dilemma at his school demonstrates why, exactly, he is known around the town as a Mister Fixit. Then along comes Nellie, a third-grader, who has a twinkle in her eye and a fixation on animals stuffed or real, it doesnt matter and is particularly keen on all things ladybug. The youngest, Picadillo, is a carefree little lad who never fails to entertain and surprise. An infatuation with videos, movies and role-playing make him a unique piece of work. One of the missions Andrew Collins undertook in Kidz 2 Cherish was to develop compelling characters who exemplify the how-tos of growing up purposefully. Some of the events happening to and among the lead characters require fictional imagination, while other situations are pictured as being real and in the moment (though at times wacky). The idea was to depict kids having fun being kids with a theme of desirable traits woven into their decision-making and behavior. A chapter book, its 165 pages make for wholesome, inspiring and often humorous entertainment. As reviewed by the dependable critic JWC, ESQ: Lots of fun for the young reader but also lots of morality and character-building lessons. Amusingly illustrated by fourteen-year-old artist Andie Carver.

With his newfound vampire powers and his girlfriend Chloe, Nigel Mullet is finally happy and popular as the school year begins. But then a new guy, Jason, appears at school. All the girls think he’s better looking than Nigel. He’s definitely stronger and faster than Nigel. And he’s just stolen Nigel’s girlfriend. What’s a totally lame vampire to do? Write bad poetry, get regularly beaten up by his little sister now that he's too weak to retaliate, and spy on his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend. . . . Eventually Nigel follows Jason and his family to the park in the middle of the night and is stunned to see them all transform into werewolves. Will the truth win Chloe back? Or will Nigel be left howling at the moon in frustration?

Nigel Mullet (vampire, diarist, not-so-heroic hero) puts his leadership—and romantic—skills to the test in this fun, funny, and not-at-all-lame conclusion to the Totally Lame Vampire series.Nigel Mullet finds himself in charge of a vampire coven on a remote Scottish island. As if trying to finish his vampire history homework and impress a vamp girl called Lenora wasn’t enough, Nigel has to spend his time resolving petty disputes. When a new vampire named Viktor joins the coven, Nigel is happy to let him take over. But this newcomer soon proves himself to be a brutal and merciless leader. The hapless Nigel is cajoled into becoming the head of the resistance movement, but will he triumph over his enemy? And perhaps more importantly…will he get the girl?

Nigel Mullet isn't your typical teenager . . . he's a vampire. But unfortunately, when Nigel transformed he didn't become all broody and interesting, and as for super strength and speed . . . well, forget it! Instead he's got acne, a voice that squeaks, a tendency to break out in a rash (not sparkles!) when exposed to the sun, and absolutely no idea how to talk to girls. When a beautiful new girl moves into the neighborhood, Nigel is determined to win her heart but first he's got to figure out how. In the meantime, he writes about her in his diary and composes really bad love poetry that he will recite to her one day, if he can work up the courage to tell her the truth. Can Nigel win the girl and the respect of his family--or is he destined to be a totally lame vampire forever?

Developed in conjunction with Lesley University, this engaging resource for fifth grade provides effective, research-based strategies to help teachers differentiate problem solving in the classroom. It includes: 50 leveled math problems (150 problems total), an overview of the problem-solving process, and ideas for formative assessment of students' problem-solving abilities. It also includes 50 mini-lessons and a dstudent activity sheet featuring a problem tiered at three levels, plus digital resources that inc electronic versions of activity sheets. This resource was developed with College and Career Readiness in mind,sdßßssis aligned to the interdisciplinary themes from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, and supports core concepts of STEM instruction.About Shell Education Rachelle Cracchiolo started the company with a friend and fellow teacher. Both were eager to share their ideas and passion for education with other classroom leaders. What began as a hobby, selling lesson plans to local stores, became a part-time job after a full day of teaching, and eventually blossomed into Teacher Created Materials. The story continued in 2004 with the launch of Shell Education and the introduction of professional resources and classroom application books designed to support Teacher Created Materials curriculum resources. Today, Teacher Created Materials and Shell Education are two of the most recognized names in educational publishing around the world.

Get to know Nigel Mullet, vampire-less-than-extraordinaire, and his vampire and werewolf friends with four fang-tastically funny novels from the Totally Lame Vampire series, now available in a collectible boxed set!This not-so-spooky collection includes Notes from a Totally Lame Vampire, Prince of Dorkness, Notes from a Hairy-Not-Scary Werewolf, and Fangs a Lot. In Notes from a Totally Lame Vampire, teenage vampire, diarist, and not-so-heroic hero Nigel Mullet transforms into a vampire, but doesn’t get any of the perks like super strength and speed. How will he ever impress the new girl, Chloe, as a totally uncool ghoul? In Prince of Dorkness, Nigel has finally gotten the girl and a handle on his newfound vampire powers. Things are great…until an undercover werewolf named Jason steals Chloe away. Will exposing Jason’s secret help Nigel get Chloe back, or will he be left howling at the moon in frustration? Luke Thorpe, an unassuming werewolf, joins forces with Nigel to stop a war from breaking out between the vampires and werewolves in Notes from a Hairy-Not-Scary Werewolf. Nigel Mullet puts his leadership—and romantic—skills to the test in the fun, funny, and not-at-all-lame conclusion to the Totally Lame Vampire series, Fangs a Lot.