This section will be dedicated to teaching objectives that can be used in the classroom. Please note that they are general in nature and should be modified to fit your grade level. This page is a growth in process and will be modified from time to time. Please check back often.  If you have developed objectives that you would like to share, please let me know and Professor Trout will post them here and give you the credit!  Now he knows that you don’t want the credit, but it’s the polite thing to do.  Please note that the religion of various cultures that the MacGregors come into contact with is mentioned but by no means is the author promoting any particular religion or belief.  All of Professor Trout’s novels begin with an historical prologue to set up the adventure from events of the past.  The back story can be from 10 years to over 1,000 years ago.

Cayman Gold:  The students should be able to locate the Cayman Islands and other major islands in the Caribbean Sea;  They should be able to understand who pirates are and the role they played in sea traffic in the Caribbean.  They should be able to understand that protecting the reef is important to the ecology of the oceans.  They should be able to describe the art and science of SCUBA diving and some basic safety tips.  They should be able to discuss the major characters and the role they play in the novel. They should be able to discuss how a hurricane moves and the devastation that it can cause, both in 1622 and the present. They should be able to discuss how the gold was taken from native tribes of the Americas and sent back to Spain.

Elephant Tears: The students should be able to locate East African countries of Kenya and Tanzania on a map, as well as Mt. Kilimanjaro. They should be able to appreciate the unique native tribes of Africa including the Masai, Kikuyu, and Samburu. They should be able to discuss the habitat or home for many different African animals including the lion, hyena, elephant, wild dog, baboon, various antelope species, and wild boar.   They should be able to learn to count in Swahili to 20 and to make a dish called Marikesh Stew.  It’s very yummy!!  They should be able to understand the dangers associated with elephant poaching both to the elephant but also to the people who protect them. They should be able to discuss endangered species and what they could do to protect them. They should know the difference between a good guy and someone who is truly evil.

Falcon of Abydos: The students should be able to locate Egypt and the Nile River on a map of the world. The students should be able to discuss the role of a Pharaoh and where in general the tombs are located in the Valley of the Kings.  The student should be able to find the Sahara Desert on a map of Africa and understand how sand storms and fast moving dunes can be treacherous and life-threatening.  They should be able to describe how noisy and dirty Cairo is and what they dislike most about it.  They should be able to discuss some basic facts about the characters who were of the Islam faith and the great shrine of Muhammed Ali in Cairo.  The students should be able to discuss the value of a satellite part that is vital to the United States and a foreign nation. The students should also be able to discuss how to crawl around in an ancient Pharaoh’s tomb and a few important points about the ancient Egyptian religion that used animal heads on their gods.  The student will also know a few minor points about hieroglyphics and how the Egyptians used it as a written language.

Czar of Alaska:  The students should be able to locate Alaska on a map of the world and know its strategic location next to Russia and the Arctic.  The students should be able to discuss who a Czar is and what the importance of a Russian Czar is to Alaska.  They should be able to discuss Charlemagne, the great Holy Roman Emperor and his relation to Alaska.  They should be able to discuss the importance of three priests of the Russian Orthodox faith, a Roman Catholic priest, and a rogue archaeologist from Poland.  They should be able to associate the major characters, location, and their movement to the providing of clues to the mystery.  They should be able to appreciate the value of F-16s and a B1B Bomber to the security of the United States.  They should be able to discuss the definition of eco-terrorism and what it’s role is today.  They should be able to define an F.B.I. agent and how he/she protects U.S. citizens.  They should be able to discuss the fact that air transportation is the major form of transportation in Alaska.  The student should be able to discuss the pros and cons of oil drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Reserve.

Sign of the Dragon:  The students should be able to locate China on a map of the world and three of its major neighbors.  They should also be able to discuss the Panda and where it is located in the Western Tibetan Highlands.  They should be able to discuss the science of paleontology and it’s importance in finding fossils of plants and animals of the past.  They should be able to discuss whether or not Pandas are being protected.  They should be able to discuss who a Taipan is and his/her role in the trade of pandas and dinosaur fossils.  They should be able to discuss generally the various forms and level of government in the Peoples Republic of China and the role of Scotland Yard and MI 6 in Hong Kong.  The should be able to discuss “Lord Buddha” and the gold statue that plays an important role in the mystery. The students should also know that the Three Gorges Dam is the largest dam in the world and some of the environmental concerns of this giant dam.

Devil’s Breath Volcano:  The students should be able to locate the Bismarck Archipeligo and Papua New Guinea on a map of the world. The students should be able to appreciate the native islanders who once were cannibals and wore shrunken heads around their necks.  They should be able to understand that pollution from uncontrolled gold mining can kill any animal or plant in the ocean. They should also know how pearls are made in nature and the value that they have to people and the jobs they provide for natives islanders.  The student will also know the forces of nature that cause a volcano to erupt and how most of the gold mines around the world are found in the “vents” of ancient volcanos.  The student will also be able to describe the underwater world of a reef and how sharks are dangerous, on occasion.  The student will also be able to appreciate the protagonists ability to fly helicopters and SCUBA dive.  The students will also be able to give a brief discussion of why the United States and Japan went to war, based on the incidents of the historical prologue.