Students will read the story of Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry. Chapters will be assigned each week and learners will come to class ready to discuss the story.
At the end of class, learners will discover which of Marguerite Henry's facts are true and which are fiction. Is the horse, Misty a real horse? Did she live on Chincoteague? 
Class 1: Students will have read chapters 1-3 of Misty and be ready to discuss how Chicoteague and Assateague became popluated with the ponies. They will meet Paul and Maureen Beebe and understand why they are living with their grandparents on Chincoteague Island. We'll be introduced to Phantom, wild mustang mare of the island. We'll also learn about where Chincoteague is geographically. 
Class 2: Learners will have read chapters 4--7 (Sacred Bones, A Piece of Wind and Sky, Pony Penning Day and She Can't Turn Back). Learners will read about what makes the spirit of the mustangs of the island wild. They will learn who Pied Piper is and how this stallion cares for his herd. Learners read about Pony Penning Day. We also learn how Phantom and Misty become friends with Paul.  In chapter 7 we discover if Phantom is captured by humans. Then, investigating real facts, learners will discover about the real life Pony Penning Day and that is still is in existence today. 
Class 3: Learners read chapters 8 - 11 (Caught in the whilpooll, On to the Pony Penning Grounds, Colts Have Got To Grow Up and Storm-shy) As a class we find out if Misty makes it out of the water as she struggles in a whilrpool. We read about what the penning grounds look like and feel like to mustangs and humans alike. Paul learns about the hard reality of colts. Then in the final chapter, the island has a bad storm but good things happen within the badness. 
Class 4: Learners read chapters 12 - 14 (The Sold Rope, A Pony Changes Hands and The Wickie). Students read about a roller coaster of feelings that Paul has when he learns that Misty is sold. Then we discover and feel excited when things change and Misty will become Paul and Maureens horse. Finally, we find out what a Wickie is and why Misty likes it. 
Class 5: Learners read chapters 15-17 (The Fire Chief Pays a Call, The Pully Bone and Wings on her Feet). As a class we read and find out about a race and Paul and Maureen need to make some difficult decisions about the race.
Class 6: Learers read the final chapter 18 (The Wild Bugle) and discover what the outcome of the story is. Then we will discuss and learn about the real life Misty and how her story changed Chincoteague and Assateague. We will discuss wild mustangs in general and how the public can make a difference in these beautiful animals lives so they may remain free and mystical for many generations to come.