Books in Primary Source Readers series

Ignite your students' interest in American history with this 6-book set of primary source readers. These informational texts offer clues and insight into the past through the use of intriguing primary sources like maps and letters. The "Your Turn!" activities will challenge students and they will gain content knowledge and strengthen their literacy skills as they interact with these high-interest texts. The concepts in the books are aligned to McREL, WIDA/TESOL, NCSS/C3 Framework, and other state standards. Titles in this set include: The New England Colonies: A Place for Puritans; The Middle Colonies: Breadbasket of the New World; The Southern Colonies: First and Last of 13; Reasons for a Revolution; The American Revolution: Fighting for Freedom; and Phillis Wheatley.

Texas has changed dramatically since it joined the United States in 1845. It has become a national leader in resources and many industries--it serves as a major supplier of the nation's oil, cattle, and agriculture. This inviting nonfiction book will intrigue readers as they learn about major Texas industries through colorful images and captivating facts. Children will learn about NASA, various types of music found in Texas, and even about the most popular Texas sports! The supportive text and accessible glossary and index aid in better understanding of the content and vocabulary. 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.

Introduce young children to Pocahontas and the ways that she influenced America! Kindergarten students will develop social studies content knowledge and literacy with this appropriately leveled nonfiction book. Featuring colorful images, simple text, and an accessible glossary and index, this biography helps early learners build vocabulary and begin to comprehend historical events.

During the 20th century, Texas grew from a land of farms and ranches to a state filled with large cities and industries. This fascinating title is a great introduction to Texas history, Texas social life and customs, and Texas economic conditions throughout the 20th century. The intriguing facts and vivid images work in conjunction with the supportive text and accommodating glossary and index to give children an opportunity to enhance their vocabulary and literacy skills while learning about the exciting history of Texas! 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.

The Primary Sources series is the winner of the 2015 Academics’ Choice Awards for the 2015 Smart Book Award in recognition of mind-building excellence. The Ancient Civilization Primary Sources is a pack of 20 primary source that are printed on sturdy 8.5" X 11" card stock.We have created a FREE Online Teacher’s Guide for Primary Sources to help you to teach primary sources more effectively and use creative strategies for integrating primary source materials into your classroom. This FREE Online Teacher's Guide for Primary Sources is 15 pages. It includes teacher tools, student handouts, and student worksheets. Click HERE to download the FREE Online Teacher's Guide for Primary Sources.Ancient Civilization Primary Sources are just what teachers need to help students learn how to analyze primary sources in order to meet Common Core State Standards! Students participate in active learning by creating their own interpretations of history using historical documents. Students make observations, generate questions, organize information and ideas, think analytically, write persuasively or informatively, and cite evidence to support their opinion, hypotheses, and conclusions. Students learn how to integrate and evaluate information to deepen their understanding of historical events. As a result, students experience a more relevant and meaningful learning experience. The 20 Ancient Civilization Primary Sources are: 1. Photograph of ancient cuneiform writing in Ur, southern Iraq – the cuneiform system of writing was developed by ancient Sumerians of Mesopotamia circa 3500-3000 BCE2. Photograph of excavated ruins of Mohenjo-daro, city of the Indus Valley civilization that flourished between 3000 and 2000 BCE3. Examples from Babylonian King Hammurabi’s Code – his laws set up a universal system of justice for his empire – circa 1790 BCE4. Ancient Egyptian agricultural scene from the Tomb of Nakht – circa 1500 BCE5. Photograph of Mykonos vase – one of the earliest known depictions of the Trojan Horse that Greeks used to enter Troy during Trojan War 1194-1184 BCE6. Portion of marble relief of Assyrian King Ashurbanipal – depicts military campaigns against Elam – between 668 and 627 BCE7. Statue of Siddhartha Gautama ("the Buddha"), on whose teachings Buddhism was founded – 4th century BCE8. Photograph of the Parthenon in Athens, Greece – temple dedicated to the goddess Athena – construction began in 447 BC9. Photograph of Great Wall of China at Jinshanling – Great Wall was originally conceived in 3rd century BCE by Emperor Qin Shi Huang10. Carving from the Alexander Sarcophagus showing Alexander the Great fighting Persians at the Battle of Issus in 333 BCE11. Photograph of Terracotta Army – sculptures of soldiers buried approximately 210 BCE with Qin Shi Huang, first Emperor of China12. Photograph of Roman aqueduct built approximately 1st century CE in Segovia, Spain13. Sculpture from the Arch of Titus in Rome depicting items taken from the Jewish temple after the Siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE – arch built 82 CE14. Photograph of the Roman Colosseum used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles – construction completed in 80 CE15. Photograph of a stone ring representing a goal in the Maya Ball Court at Chichén Itzá, Mexico – circa 600-900 CE16. Photograph of Machu Picchu – ancient Inca city built high in the Andes Mountains – city built approximately 145017. Map of Tenochtitlán, capital city of the Aztec civilization – built on an island in Lake Texcoco – map created 152418. Image of Aztecs seeding, tilling, and harvesting maize from the Florentine Codex – circa 154019. Photograph of three men and a camel on the paw of the partially excavated Great Sphinx of Giza in Egypt – circa 187820. Photograph of Egyptologist Howard Carter examining the tomb of King Tut – 1923Your students will: • think critically and analytically, interpret events, and question various perspectives of history. • participate in active learning by creating their own interpretations instead of memorizing facts and a writer’s interpretations. • integrate and evaluate information provided in diverse media formats to deepen their understanding of historical events. • experience a more relevant and meaningful learning experience.

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. In the middle of the 1830s, Texans fought against the Mexican government for its independence. During the Texas Revolution, many leaders emerged, such as Sam Houston, Lorenzo de Zavala, William Travis, Francita Alavez, Sidney Sherman, Susanna Dickinson, James Bowie, and Juan Seguin. This captivating biography allows readers to learn about the incredible accomplishments of these people and what they did to make an impact on the Texas Revolution. Featuring alluring images, engaging facts and sidebars, supportive text, and a glossary and index, this book will have readers eager to learn more!

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. The Caddo and Comanche were two of the largest American Indian groups living in Texas before European contact. This nonfiction title explores the history of the Caddo and Comanche, how they adapted to European colonists and American settlers, and the impact they made on Texas history. The Hasinai, Kadohadacho, Natchitoches, Comanche Nation of Oklahoma, and Shoshone are some of the tribes that readers will discover through engaging sidebars and facts, intriguing images, easy to read text, and a supportive glossary, index, and table of contents.

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. In the 1500s, European explorers arrived in Texas in search of gold and glory. The Spanish were the first Europeans to arrive. Readers get to discover early Texas history in this fascinating nonfiction book that uses colorful images, intriguing facts, supportive text, and an accommodating glossary, index, and table of contents to introduce readers to various explorers such as Christopher Colombus, Cabeza de Vaca, Francisco Vazquez de Coronado, and La Salle. Children will be excited and engaged as they read through to also learn about the many American Indian tribes of the past. From the Caddo to the Apache, the Comanche to the Karankawa, readers will be captivated from beginning to end!

Have you ever wondered how we know so much about people and events from the past? Much of what we know comes from studying items that were used in the past. Research Primary Source Audio: Speeches, Oral Histories, Music, and More! will help you dive deeper into studying history by showing you how to examine and learn from objects that were part of everyday life in the past.