Upcoming Themes for CALLIOPE

2008 - 2009 School Year

Jul/Aug	Zeus and His Children Always wanted the inside scoop on mighty Zeus' adventures - and misadventures? Well, here it is! CALLIOPE has a special pass for you to Mount Olympos - a ringside seat at the table of all the powerful deities who ruled the Greek and Roman world. We'll watch and marvel at how Zeus outwits his father and then his relatives to gain the highest seat on Mt. Olympos. Then, we'll be off on a journey around the Mediterranean world to watch Zeus' children in action. And, what action it is with Daphne trying to escape the clutches of Apollo and Endymion unable to wake because of Artemis' spell. But, there's more as CALLIOPE tells you of the adventures of Zeus' best-known grandchild, little Cupid, who in this issue will pierce his own heart with his fateful love arrows. To be sure, this "divine" issue will make perfect summer reading - and you just might keep it close the rest of the year as well!
Sep	Hatshepsut: Pharaoh of Egypt A queen who would be king - that's the theme of this issue, and what an issue it is! Find out what the real significance of the royal beard is, and why Hatshepsut, as king, sported one. March in step with her army as she extends her control of lands far beyond the Nile's banks. Meet Senmut, the most trusted man in her empire, and marvel at the grand structures he oversaw as foreman. But, all was not "golden" in Hatshepsut's empire. Read the known facts and then decide for yourself what her end was - and whether her mummy has indeed been uncovered. Regardless of the title - whether it be king or queen - Hatshepsut is one person history will never forget!
Oct	A Day in Court: Law in Greece and Rome How did the ancient Greeks and Romans treat criminals? Were there criminals? How about political prisoners? Did jails exist? Have you ever wondered about the answers to these questions? Well, CALLIOPE has all the answers in its "Day in Court" issue. We read a first-hand report of Socrates' trial, his guilty verdict, and the method of death he chose. And, get your theater clothes ready, as we have a ringside seat at a performance of "The Arbitration" - something you really do not want to miss! Then, it's a short trip west to Rome, where the master orator Cicero will convince you of the innocence of Roscius and the guilty verdict the conniving Verres should receive. And, that's not all! Find out what happened to those who were not citizens and charged with crimes. Hint - this was not a situation you would ever want to be in! And, what if the people decided they did not like a certain politician? We have impeachment, the Greeks had a policy that was really quite effective - and swift. Sound interesting? Definitely! So, join us!
Nov/Dec	World Religions Read the newspaper, listen to the news, watch TV - and you are sure to hear the word "religion" mentioned every time you do any one of these activities. But, just what is religion? Whether you have an answer or are still wondering about the best answer is, this issue is sure to intrigue you! You'll meet Hinduism' Seven Sages, attend a Jewish wedding, accompany a Buddhist monk on his daily ritual, learn how an emperor declared Christianity a "world" religion, and experience the hajj through "Muslim" eyes. And, that's not all! Those questions you've had about symbols, festivals, prayers, plus a few other topics - well, here's a fun way to get the answers!
Jan	Arabic Legacy in the World Here's an issue that's sure to have many surprises for you! There's a personal tour of Baghdad, Cordoba (Spain), and Sicily to "watch" just how these areas became the stepping stones for ideas and inventions from the East to enter the West. Just wait until you read about the advanced water technology and conservation methods being used 1,000 years ago - you might want to take notes. Like math? Even if it's not your favorite subject, you'll enjoy reading about the Arabic math connection to the West. Maybe your view of math will change! Been to the doctor lately? Well, many medical theories and practices trace their origins back to the Middle East! Interested? You must be! We found it a most fascinating issue to research and design and can't wait for you to join us on this amazing adventure.
Feb	China's Forbidden City Heard of China's Forbidden City? Wonder how it got its name and who lived there? Well, CALLIOPE has all the answers - and right from the city itself! You'll go on rounds with the emperor, enter the empress' bedroom, check out the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, even have a ringside seat at the opening ceremony in 1421. And, there's more. As you walk through the palace today you'll see paintings of emperors dressed in "dragon robes." We have the scoop on those as well - and on who could wear what color. So, don't miss this exciting issue that's sure to keep you turning pages, from 1 to 49!
Mar	Celtic Ireland Ready for a trip back about 2,000 years to a period in time that still holds many secrets fast? CALLIOPE knows your answer is "yes," and is eager to have you as an "armchair" companion. We'll be going onsite to see what the remains reveal, and we'll be checking the written word to see what tales there are - and which are fact and which fiction. And, you'll be learning some new terms, like "Fulachta foadh" and "Emain Macha." Ever read or heard these words? How about "Cu Chulainn" and "Lia Fail"? Well, CALLIOPE can't wait to introduce you. Some are legendary and some are real, but all played a role in Ireland's history and development. And, there's much more, like the games of Hurley and fidchell and the connection between the god Dagda and the Irish harp. And, don't worry about the language barrier - CALLIOPE has the truth about the Gaelic language for you, too. So, get ready for a fascinating read!
Apr	Marco Polo Enjoy traveling? Well, here's a traveler that didn't stop for almost 20 years! And what adventures he had - and lived to tell about them! Actually, he dictated his story to his prison roommate. Who was this person - a young Venetian named Marco Polo. Even the people of his hometown found it difficult to believe his tales. But they should have laughed less and listened more! Marco Polo had indeed met the great ruler of Mongolia and China - and worked in his service for years. The "monstrous races" mentioned in his work may be a stretch of the imagination, but there's lots more that offer a tantalizing window into life in the East at the time. And, to show just how possible many of Polo's details are, we'll follow in the footsteps of a modern-day adventurer who actually sought to retrace his steps. So, pack your hiking boots and lots of sunscreen in your knapsack and get yourself a good protective hat - and we're off!
May/Jun	Catherine the Great "What a woman!" That's what you're sure to say after reading CALLIOPE's Catherine the Great. Imagine a young girl, not even Russian, becoming the ruler of that vast country! How did she do it? For the real scoop, you'll have to read this issue. Here's a sneak peek: To prepare herself for the role of empress, she changed her name and her religion and she learned Russian. When her husband left on a "short" trip, she took control of the government - and won. The capital, St. Petersburg, became her city - and wow, what she did to it! She was a great "blogger," which, in those days, meant letter-writer. She had a passion for culture - you're sure to be amazed at how she proved this! Never one to miss an opportunity: When she heard of a new method for preventing smallpox, she quickly decided, "Why not?" and had herself and her son and grandchildren inoculated. She loved France, but when the Revolution started, "Power to the people" would never become a motto for her. No, Catherine fought hard not to relinquish power. She said, "I shall be an autocrat, that's my job!"
Jul/Aug	Gladiators Have you seen the movie Spartacus? Ever wondered what's fact, and what's fiction? How about the movie Gladiator? Well, CALLIOPE has the answers to both and much more! We have ringside seats at the collapse of an arena - but escape just in time, so as not to become "dead history!" There's also a trip to meet a lanista, gladiator trainer, and then, we'll enter the Colosseum to find out who fought whom or what, what each wore and, whether it was "thumbs up!" or "thumbs down" that the gladiators wanted to hear. A quick trip across the Mediterranean will take us to a newly found graveyard for gladiators, and the story of a doctor who healed their wounds. And, CALLIOPE has two treats - a feature on how to read inscriptions, when the letters of the inscription have fallen off, and a visit to a modern-day gladiator school in Italy. So, mark your calendar and don't miss this issue.

2009-2010 School Year

Sep	Karnak - Egypt's Chosen Place
Oct	Aesop and His Fables - Did He Really Exist?
Nov/Dec	Great Wall of China
Jan	The Partehnon - Symbol of Eternal Greece
Feb	Isabella of Spain - Queen of a New World
Mar	Michelangelo
Apr	Dutch East India Company - Trade Goes Internation
May/Jun	Exploring Africa with Stanley & Livingston
Jul/Aug	Meaning of Numbers

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Updated: 8/20/08 01:06 pm
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