15-Minute Strange But True Tales

McMurdo Dry Valleys in Antarctica is one of the world’s cruelest deserts. Not all deserts are hot, dry places full of sand. In the Dry Valleys are a number of ice covered lakes. Some are saltwater. Some are freshwater. Each is different in its composition. Glaciers border the valleys. It is here, in Taylor Valley, that one of the strangest features on Earth has been discovered–a bleeding glacier!

McMurdo Dry Valleys, in Antarctica, is one of the world’s cruelest deserts. In the Dry Valleys are a number of ice covered lakes. Some are saltwater. Some are freshwater. Each is different in its composition. Glaciers border the valleys. It is here, in Taylor Valley, that one of the strangest features on Earth has been discovered – a bleeding glacier. Educational versions have CCSS activities.

It all started with a smell. In Paris, France, during the 1800s, the people were starting to get sick. They could not escape the foul smells coming from the cemeteries. The worst cemetery was Saints-Innocents (the Cemetery of Innocents). This cemetery was in the heart of the city next to the central market place. Find out what was done to solve the problem, and about the mysterious catacombs.

It all started with a smell. In Paris, France, during the 1800s, the people were starting to get sick. They could not escape the foul smells coming from the cemeteries. The worst cemetery was Saints-Innocents (the Cemetery of Innocents). This cemetery was in the heart of the city next to the central market place. Find out how they solved the problem! Educational versions have CCSS activities.

It happened on March 29, 1848. The people of the town of Niagara Falls awoke to a near deafening silence. The silence wasn’t complete. They could hear a few birds twittering in the trees and a few dogs barking. Otherwise there was silence. This was strange because the people of Niagara Falls lived their entire lives with the roar of the falls. But today they were dry! Find out what happened.

It happened on March 29, 1848. The people of Niagara Falls awoke to a near deafening silence. The silence wasn’t complete. They could hear birds twittering in the trees overhead. There were a few dogs barking. But otherwise there was silence. This was strange because the people of Niagara Falls lived their entire lives with the roar of the falls. Educational versions have CCSS activities.

It has over 160 rooms, 40 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, but only one shower. It has stairs that lead to the ceiling and doors that, when stepped through, will drop you a story or more. It has 10,000 windows, a number of which are placed on inside walls, including an expensive stained glass window made by Tiffany. This is the Winchester Mystery House, the house built by ghosts. RL: 6.9 Has CCS exercises.

It has over 160 rooms, 40 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, but only one shower. It has stairs that lead to the ceiling, and doors that, when stepped through, will drop you a story or more. It has 10,000 windows, a number of which are placed on inside walls, including a stained glass window made by Tiffany. This is the Winchester Mystery House, the house built by ghosts. Learn more in this 15-minute book!

It was 1887 in southern France. A man was exploring the hills near the town of Saint-Gaudens. He was in an area with lots of caves nestled into the soft rock and steep cliffs. Suddenly he came upon an opening in the rock. He pushed aside the bush covering the hole and looked into a long tunnel. What did he find in the cave that has mystified scientists to this day? Explore the Gargas Cave!

It happened in 1887, in the south of France. A now unknown man was exploring the hills near the town of Saint-Gaudens. He was only 25 miles (40 km) from the border of Spain, in an area with lots of caves nestled into the soft rock and steep cliffs. Suddenly he came upon an opening in the rock. Find out what strange thing he discovered. Educational versions have Common Core Curriculum activities.

In the 1920s, the first airplanes began to fly over the Peruvian mountains. Passengers looking out their windows said they could see lines on the Nazca plateau below. The lines looked like runways where airplanes could land. They could also see animals and other objects. There are birds, monkeys, spiders, a killer whale, plants and flowers. There are human like figures. These are the Nazca lines.

In the 1920s, the first passenger airplanes began to fly over the Peruvian mountains. Passengers looking out their windows said they could see lines on the Nazca plateau below. The lines looked like runways where airplanes could land. They could also see animals and other objects. Learn about these mysterious lines in this book. Educational versions have Common Core Curriculum activities.

Stonehenge has been surrounded by mystery and wonder. There have always been questions about where these massive stones came from. How did they get there? Do they hail from a magical world of giants and wizards, or are they man made? And then there's the most important question: what is their purpose? Find out about Stonehenge in this 15-Minute book. Includes Common Core exercises.

Stonehenge has been surrounded by mystery and wonder. There have always been questions about where these massive stones came from. How did they get there? Do they hail from a magical world of giants and wizards, or are they manmade? And then there's the most important question: what is their purpose? Many theories have tried to answer these questions. This 15-minute book will explore three.