Blood on the River — Hyperlinked PDF project to accompany novel

Integrating multiple subjects is essential in our busy days—every minute counts! Knowing this, as well as the importance of non-fiction texts, I have many links to outside sources and though the project is centered around social studies, I included as much math and science as I could.

I think historical fiction is an ideal medium for integration, but I realized that much of what students read in novels is passed over because they lack a frame of reference to comprehend much of the meaning, don't have the historical background to truly understand the context, or don't have enough experience to grasp all of the figurative language. To provide this, I have embedded links to outside videos, websites, definitions, games, and more. I strive to balance reading, images, and videos as much as possible to keep students engaged and to expose them to diverse media. Students use a notebook to answer questions and complete activities, so they aren’t exclusively on the computer or iPad.

This particular PDF hyperdoc includes links to more than 50 sites integrating multiple subjects:

Science:

wind patterns

drought and its affects

tectonics and hot springs

pulley systems

making glass

Math:

averages

examining statistics

difference

percentages

Language arts:

vocabulary development

figurative language

motif

mnemonics

writing

character analysis

Social studies:

Jamestown

the Virginia Company

Roanoke

Spanish settlement in Florida

the Powhatan people

the effect of colonization on the native population

the Age of Discovery

. . . and more!

This is all enveloped in questions requiring critical thinking and analysis from multiple sources of media—all in alignment with Common Core.

This project can be done as a class, small group, or individually. You can assign all of it or part. There is a page of additional challenges for advanced students with links to help them with research. Image links and “extras” on most pages are perfect for early finishers to explore. Homeschoolers love my book projects because they offer a stand-alone unit for the novel, which also makes it perfect for distance learning. As this is self-contained and highly engaging, it is ideal for students who read at different rates. You can be assured advanced readers won’t miss the context or historical significance as they work ahead.

A key is included as is my email address so you can report any broken links. I try to repair or replace them promptly so neither you nor your students miss out on any of the content.

updated: January 2024