Medieval Europe - The Papacy - Wandering Popes and the Avignon Papacy

Discussion:
Italian political rivalries
Instability in the Papal States
The Pope is forced to leave Rome and then Italy

Activity:
History journal
Map study

Astronomy - Observational Astronomy - Observatories

The Kingfisher Space Encyclopedia

Discussion:
Terrestrial observatories
Space observatories - advantages

Activity:
Field trip to our local observatory (terrestrial, obviously)

Astronomy - Observational Astronomy - Radio Telescopes

The Kingfisher Space Encyclopedia
The Telescope by Tamra Orr

Discussion:
How a radio telescope works
Locations, types of objects/information viewed

Activity:
Picture study - parts of the radio telescope

Feudal Japan - Ninja

Ninjas: Masters of Stealth and Secrecy by Joanne Mattern

Discussion:
Origins of Ninja
Employment by Samurai and other warlords
Training, skills, religious beliefs

Activity:
History journal

Astronomy - Observational Astronomy - Constellations - Perseus Group

Dot to Dot in the Sky by Joan Marie Galat
First Field Guide to the Night Sky by the National Audubon Society

Discussion:
Constellation group of the Perseus story - identification of its constellations and where they are relative to each other

Activity:
Observation

Feudal Japan - Samurai - Bushido

Samurai: Warlords of Japan by Arlan Dean
How to Be a Samurai Warrior by Fiona Macdonald and John James
Read-aloud: Sword of the Samurai by Eric A. Kimmel

Discussion:
Bushido - the Samurai code of honor
Buddhism, Shinto influences
Meditation practices

Activity:
Continue Samurai costume

Astronomy - Observational Astronomy - Constellations - Taurus

First Field Guide to the Night Sky by the National Audubon Society

Discussion:
Recognizing Taurus
Mythology of Taurus

Activity:
Draw Taurus - show how it resembles what it is named for
Explain its location on a diagram of the sky
Identify in sky

Feudal Japan - Samurai - Armor

Samurai: Warlords of Japan by Arlan Dean
How to Be a Samurai Warrior by Fiona Macdonald and John James
Read-aloud: Sword of the Samurai by Eric A. Kimmel

Discussion:
Parts of the samurai armament
Design and construction
Evolution

Activity:
Continue Samurai costume

Feudal Japan - Samurai - Shogunate

Life in Ancient Japan by Hazel Richardson
Samurai: Warlords of Japan by Arlan Dean
Read-aloud: Sword of the Samurai by Eric A. Kimmel

Discussion:
The Genpei War and the beginning of the shogunate
From a temporary to a permanent position
How the shogun controls the samurai and the emperor

Activity:
Continue making Samurai costume
History journal

Astronomy - Observational Astronomy - Constellations - Leo

First Field Guide to the Night Sky by the National Audubon Society

Discussion:
Recognizing Leo
Mythology of Leo

Activity:
Draw Leo - show how it resembles what it is named for
Explain its location on a diagram of the sky
Identify in sky

Astronomy - Observational Astronomy - Constellations - Andromeda

First Field Guide to the Night Sky by the National Audubon Society

Discussion:
Recognizing Andromeda
Mythology of Andromeda

Activity:
Draw Andromeda - show how it resembles what it is named for
Explain its location on a diagram of the sky
Identify in sky

Feudal Japan - Samurai - Origins

Life in Ancient Japan by Hazel Richardson
Samurai: Warlords of Japan by Arlan Dean
Read-aloud: Sword of the Samurai by Eric A. Kimmel

Discussion:
Origins of the Samurai - Asuka and Nara Periods
The Samurai as a part of the army during the Heian Period
The Samurai become warlords

Activity:
Begin making Samurai costume
History journal

Medieval Japan - Heian Period - Fujiwara Clan

Life in Ancient Japan  by Hazel Richardson
Read-aloud: Mysterious Tales of Japan by Rafe Martin

Discussion:
How the Fujiwara clan rose to power
Administrative monopoly
Political intrigue - Sei Shonagun

Activity:
History journal

Astronomy - Observational Astronomy - Constellations - Draco

First Field Guide to the Night Sky by the National Audubon Society

Discussion:
Recognizing Draco
Mythology of Draco

Activity:
Draw Draco - show how it resembles what it is named for
Explain its location on a diagram of the sky
Identify in sky

Astronomy - Observational Astronomy - Constellations - Orion

First Field Guide to the Night Sky by the National Audubon Society

Discussion:
Recognizing Orion
Mythology of Orion

Activity:
Draw Orion - show how it resembles what it is named for
Explain its location on a diagram of the sky
Identify in sky

Medieval Japan - Heian Period - Social Structures

Life in Ancient Japan by Hazel Richardson
Read-aloud: Mysterious Tales of Japan by Rafe Martin

Discussion:
A highly stratified society
Rank and class
Clergy, nobles, commoners, slaves

Activity:
History journal

Astronomy - Observational Astronomy - Constellations - Scorpius

First Field Guide to the Night Sky by the National Audubon Society

Discussion:
Recognizing Scorpius
Mythology of Scorpius

Activity:
Draw Scorpius - show how it resembles what it is named for
Explain its location on a diagram of the sky
Identify in sky