""Any story that starts will also end." As a writer, Ann Patchett knows what the outcome of her fiction will be. Life, however, often takes turns we do not see coming. Patchett ponders this truth in these wise essays that afford a fresh and intimate look into her mind and heart. At the center of These Precious Days is the title essay, a surprising and moving meditation on an unexpected friendship that explores "what it means to be seen, to find someone...

This is our country: Students discover that the United States of America is where we live. They learn about our country's flag and anthem, and they tour our nation's capital, Washington, D.C.; This is our government: Students learn about the different branches of government and why making laws helps keep us safe; U.S. symbols: Learn about the history of our country's symbols and what they mean to Americans. Includes the Statue of Liberty, the Liberty...