Rip is deep in thought

_Elsa_

Bright and early the next morning Tiffi wakes up and gets dressed.  As she is eating breakfast she calls Elsa to arrange a time for them to meet at Bamboo Forest. She is hoping that Rip is still there because if he’s really that old then he must have a lot of stories to tell us. She calls Elsa and they arrange a time to meet. Tiffi checks her phone for messages, no one needs help today. She heads out the front door to meet up with Elsa.

When the girls arrive at Bamboo Forest they are happy to see that Rip is still there. 

“Hi Rip, this is my friend Elsa,” says Tiffi. “She loves to write stories about me and my friends. Maybe she can write a story about you too.”

Rip is deep in thought trying to gather his thoughts on what history eras would be important for his new students. He looks in his book to see what he has written so far.

‘1211 - Genghis Khan invades China, captures Peking (1214), conquers Persia (1218), invades Russia (1223), dies (1227).

1251 - Kublai Khan governs China, becomes ruler of Mongols (1259), establishes Yuan dynasty in China (1280), invades Burma (1287), dies (1294).

1325 - The beginning of the Renaissance in Italy: writers Dante, Petrarch, Boccaccio; painter Giotto. Development of Noh drama in Japan. Aztecs establish Tenochtitlán on site of modern Mexico City. Peak of Muslim culture in Spain. Small cannon in use.

1347–1351 - At least 25 million people die in Europe's “Black Death” (bubonic plague).

1428 - Joan of Arc leads French against English, captured by Burgundians (1430) and turned over to the English, burned at the stake as a witch after ecclesiastical trial (1431).

1462 - Ivan the Great rules Russia until 1505 as first czar; ends payment of tribute to Mongols.

1492 - Moors conquered in Spain by troops of Ferdinand and Isabella. Columbus becomes first European to encounter Caribbean islands, returns to Spain (1493). Second voyage to Dominica, Jamaica, Puerto Rico (1493–1496). Third voyage to Orinoco (1498). Fourth voyage to Honduras and Panama (1502–1504).

1503 - Leonardo da Vinci paints the Mona Lisa. Michelangelo sculpts the David (1504).

1535 - Reformation begins as Henry VIII makes himself head of English Church after being excommunicated by Pope. Sir Thomas More executed as traitor for refusal to acknowledge king's religious authority. Jacques Cartier sails up the St. Lawrence River, basis of French claims to Canada.

1536 - Henry VIII executes second wife, Anne Boleyn. John Calvin establishes Reformed and Presbyterian form of Protestantism in Switzerland, writes Institutes of the Christian Religion. Danish and Norwegian Reformations. Michelangelo's Last Judgment.

1558 - Queen Elizabeth I ascends the throne (rules to 1603). Restores Protestantism, establishes state Church of England (Anglicanism). Renaissance will reach height in England—Shakespeare, Marlowe, Spenser. ’ (Source) 

Rip is deep in thought so he doesn’t hear Tiffi calling his name.  She taps him on the shoulder. He looks to see who just touched him. 

“Oh Hi Tiffi, nice to see you again today,” says Rip. “And who is this young lady with you?” 

Tiffi introduces Elsa to Rip and tells him that she is a storywriter and perhaps she can write a story about him. She asks him why he was so deep in thought. He tells her that he’s been writing down some memories of important history information that his students might enjoy. He shares the notes with them. 

Let’s continue – Elsa & Tiffi volunteer to help

Start at the beginning - Tiffi & Elsa learn a lot about world history