Teacher Support

What was life like at Valley Forge in 1777?

Learn about Valley Forge and all the other people, places, and events in Scott Foresman ESL 5. These links bring you to sites with more detailed information on the history and culture covered in the text. You can use these extra facts and stories to give your students a better understanding about the context of each chapter.

page 14: Native Americans
Learn about Native American cultures in different regions of the United States and Canada.

pages 26-37: Ben's Trumpet (Jazz)

• Click on the timeline and map to view images and read about the history of Jazz.
  
• Read concise biographies of the most influential jazz musicians and singers.

page 38: "Seventy Six Trombones"

• Read a short summary of the musical.
• Hear the music of "Seventy Six Trombones," the song from The Music Man.
  

pages 42-47 (also page 118): Christopher Columbus: Voyage

• View a map of Columbus's voyages to the New World.
  
• This site describes the voyages and focuses on life aboard the Niña, Pinta, and Santa Maria.
  

page 46: Taino Indians
Read a short history of the Taino Indians of Brazil, the Caribbean, and Florida, and learn some words in their native language.

page 51: prairie
Get a short description of the American prairie.

page 60: eclipse
Go to a simple demonstration of a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse, showing the positions of the earth, sun, and moon during an eclipse.

pages 66-67: Aztec city of Tenochtitlán

• Read about the great Aztec city of Tenochtitlán.
  
• Read about the Spaniards's reaction to seeing Tenochtitlán.

pages 68-69: Hernando Cortés

• Read about the life of Hernando Cortés, "the conqueror of Mexico."
  
• Learn about the conquest of the Aztecs.
  

page 70: Montezuma

• Read a physical description of Montezuma, as well as a short history of his accomplishments.
  
• Read about the first meeting of Montezuma and Hernando Cortés.
  

pages 88-99: Taino myth
Read more about the history, culture, and beliefs of the Taino Indians of South America and the Caribbean.

pages 110-111: Sahara Desert
Click on the topics to learn about the geography, wildlife, and people of the Sahara.

page 111: Nile River

• Read about the Nile River (Columbia Encyclopedia article).
  
• Read about the role that the Nile played in the history of Egypt.
  

page 119 (also pages 134 and 135-137): the American colonies

• Click on the objects shown in this site to learn more about life in colonial times.
  
• This site features topics on everyday life, from family and food to trade and tools, in colonial America.
  

pages 132-133: Jamestown and John Smith

• Read about the history of Jamestown, a symbol of American pride.
  
• Take an interactive tour of Jamestown (click on "Explore Jamestown").
  

pages 140-151: Benjamin Franklin

• Read a brief biography of this American inventor, statesman, and philosopher.
  
• Click on the topics in this site to learn more about the many facets of Franklin's life.
  

pages 146-147: Philadelphia
Take an interactive tour of colonial Philadelphia. Click on the map or topics to visit the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and other historical landmarks.

selections, pages 152: Poor Richard's Almanac
Read selected famous sayings from Poor Richard's Almanac, plus a collection of sayings about work and savings from the Almanac.

pages 176-177: Cinderella stories from around the world
Go to these sites to read variations of Cinderella from cultures around the world:

• The Annotated Cinderella.
  
• Cinderella and related stories.

pages 193,199: King George III
Read a brief history of King George III (1760-1820):

• The Britannia site.
  
• Kings and Queens of the United Kingdom.

pages 198-199: Boston Tea Party
Learn what caused the Boston Tea Party:

• Liberty! Chronicle of the Revolution.
  
• Eyewitness Account by a Participant.
  

pages 202-213: Battle of Lexington and Concord
Read about the first military action of the Revolutionary War:

• To Arms!.
  
• Today in History (in the Library of Congress site); includes the origin of the song "Yankee Doodle."

page 214: "My Country 'Tis of Thee"
Read about the origins of this song.

pages 218-219: Thomas Jefferson
Read about Thomas Jefferson's life and accomplishments:

• Biography of Thomas Jefferson (from the Library of Congress).
  
• The official White House site.
  

pages 220-221: Washington at Valley Forge ·

• Read a description of the Continental Army at Valley Forge. Click on the topics to learn more about the soldiers and the hardships they endured.
  
• This site offers the history of the camp at Valley Forge, a timeline, and description of the people who were there. It also includes a "Kid's Page."
  

pages 222-223: Battle of Yorktown: General Cornwallis
Read about General Cornwallis's role in the Battle of Yorktown.

pages 226-227: Declaration of Independence ·

• Read an interactive version of the Declaration of Independence. Click on the highlighted passages for brief explanations.
  
• This site features translations of the Declaration of Independence into several languages.