Aimed at students grades 7-12, King Alfred's English is an entertaining read for any age. This intriguing look at the development of our language is a combination study in both history and English with a bit of linguistics woven throughout. Surprising facts about people and wars, quirky details about spelling and grammar, humorous word histories, all are packed together to form a thoroughly enjoyable and educational overview of English history from 55 BC to 1611, the year the King James Bible was published. The capstone of the book is the story of how we got the Bible in English and it's influence upon our language, with emphasis on the ideas of the Reformation and the people who risked their lives so we could read God's Word in our native tongue. Free supplemental materials for students and teachers are also available on the author's website. For every chapter there are student worksheets and tests; links to online images, articles, and videos; and literature excerpts that expand the lessons—all of these and more can be found at www.theshorterword.com.
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