Life today is a lot different than it was in the past. Think about it....can you imagine living in a time without computers, i-pods, cell-phones, and video games? Oh no!! A different time in a different place would mean lots of changes to your lifestyle. If you had access to a time-machine and could travel back to any period in history, what would it be?
In school, you are learning all about past events such as the American Revolution. Before 1775, thirteen colonies in America belonged to England. Many of those colonists longed to be free and independent. If you lived at the time of the American Revolution, how would you feel? Would you be loyal to the King of England, or would you fight for your independence? "My Brother Sam is Dead" is a wonderful book that shows us the personal side of history. We'll meet characters and get to take a peek inside their lives. Who was loyal to the king? Who decided to fight against the king? What did these people go through? As you read, ask yourself....would I be a Lobsterback/Redcoat or a Patriot? How far would I go to fight for what I believe in? I am so excited to get your feedback on the book and am looking forward to a great partnership between our two schools! I have confidence that all our students will post positive information and use this website as an engaging learning experience!
1/12/09- Read Chapter 1 (Pages 1-22) Post the answer to this question: What is your emotional response to this chapter; is anyone or anything tugging at your heartstrings? Right now, knowing what you do about the American Revolution, do you think you would agree with Sam or Mr. Meeker (Sam's father)? Why? (Remember, you must always support your opinion with reasoning/evidence.)
Investigate your Wiki-Peers: Go through the responses from students in both schools. See if you can find someone who has similar feelings. How many Redcoats would we have? Patriots?
BHS Wiki
Comments
Dana Hoover
Jan 13, 2009
1/14/09
Mr. Meeker makes the following statement, "But you never get rid of injustices by fighting," to which Sam replies, "Either we're going to be free, or we're not." Explain how Mr. Meeker's comment is not just an argument against fighting England, but against war in general. Then, give your feedback on this chapter. Did you like it? Dislike it? Talk!!
christine
Jan 13, 2009
I think Mr. Meeker's comment about injustice can't be solved with fighting is basically saying you can't solve
things with violence and war. I think Mr. Meeker has experienced war and seen what it has done to family's loved ones
so he may be against it.
-Chrissy
nicole
Jan 13, 2009
Maybe Mr. Meeker is right, but after so many offenses, a offer for peace, an offer for correction and other such long processes (like the Olive Branch Petition), how can you not fight for justness? When you've done everything but fight, how else can you get whats right? (can u imagine 'right' in bold for me, please? hahaha, thanks.)
I think the chapter, the book so far, is good. To my taste, its mediocre. To the book itself, regardless of my opinion, I think it's good.
Perhaps it will turn out to be a very nice book. Well, I hope. =]
-Nicole F
Dana Hoover
Jan 15, 2009
1/15/09
I was very happy to read your comments and am glad to see that reading has gotten you to think beyond the typical comprehension questions. Reading is more than a one-person process, you know. The author's words are meant to evoke an emotion from the reader. Sometimes the emotional response will be great. A type of, "Wow. That was really __________!" (fill in the blank with an emotion.) OR "I did NOT like this chapter at all because ________________." Authors want you to talk about their books! So this conversation between the two schools would make the Colliers very happy! In addition, look how much you can learn from a good book! Historical fiction helps to bring history to us in a different format, beyond the pages of a textbook. It's exciting to read about a time and see that you have the historical background to understand what is going on. I believe this novel helps to make the American Revolution more personal. We're getting to learn about history through the eyes of the Meeker family. Historical fiction brings more of a personal touch to what we're learning about. If you find you're enjoying reading about this time period, check out the book, "If You Lived at the Time of the American Revolution" by Kay Moore. Through reading this book, you will see how well you would have done had you been one of Tim Meeker's neighbors!
Continue reading, thinking, and posting!!! Don't forget that you may only post under YOUR NAME!
Chapter 3:
A. If you were in Tim's place, would you tell your father that Sam had come back to Redding? Why or why not?
B. What is Betsy's role in the story so far, and what is your opinion of her?
C. If you were living at the time of the American Revolution, how would you fare?
D. Anything else about this chapter that you'd like to share with us???
Dana Hoover
Jan 21, 2009
Chapter 4:
1. In this chapter, Tim gets his first glimpse of war, a major theme in the book. The Patriots are searching Redding, Loyalist territory, for weapons that might be used against the Revolution. What was going through your mind and heart when the Rebel officers were "interacting" with Mr. Meeker? If you were Tim, would you have done the same? How did you feel when Sam overtook Tim and took the gun back?
2. At the end of the chapter, Father yelled, "Sam. Come back, Sam." What do you think Father's next words would have been had Sam chosen to stay?
3. Why does Tim call Sam a coward? Do you think Sam is a coward? Explain.
Dana Hoover
Jan 21, 2009
Chapter 5:
1. In this chapter, Tim says the following, "The war had always seemed like a story---something that happened in some faraway place or faraway time, and didn't have anything to do with me." What happened that made Tim's feelings change?
2. Read the quote below, and respond to the following question. Tim learned that a war, even if far away, affects all people....the lines of ink across the map turning red. How is this true?
Borders are scratched across the hearts of men,
By strangers with a calm judicial pen.
And when the borders bleed, we watch with dread
The lines of ink across the map turn red.
----- Marya Mannes
2. Tim explains why his father is always polite to Mr. Heron, who seemed to be respected by many. What was your opinion, by the end of the chapter, of Mr. Heron? Explain.
Dana Hoover
Jan 21, 2009
Chapter 6:
1. What is your opinion of Tim's actions in this chapter? Do you trust Mr. Heron, who seems to be respected by many? What was your reaction to the scuffle between Betsy and Tim?
2. Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?
Dana Hoover
Feb 5, 2009
Chapter 7:
1. How is the war affecting Tim's family? (Think beyond the physical affects.)
2. How is what is going on in the Middle-East affecting your family?
3. What is your emotional reaction to this chapter?
Dana Hoover
Feb 5, 2009
Chapter 8:
1. What does Tim really think about the war? Has he made up his mind concerning which side he is on? What is your emotional reaction to this chapter?
2. In the beginning of the novel, you speculated about the side you would choose to be on...Patriot or Loyalist. Are you still sticking with your answer, or have you changed? Explain.
Dana Hoover
Feb 5, 2009
Chapter 9:
1. What do you think happened to Mr. Meeker? What impact will it have on Tim?
2. What is your emotional reaction to this chapter?
Dana Hoover
Feb 5, 2009
Chapter 10:
1. Explain Tim’s statement, “I still hadn’t figured out what he was fighting for. It seemed to me that we’d been free all along."
Dana Hoover
Feb 5, 2009
Chapter 11:
1. Mrs. Meeker begs Sam to come home after his father’s death. Sam refuses. Tim says that he realizes that his brother will never leave the army because he thinks he is part of something big. Explain what Tim means by “something big.”
2. What is your emotional reaction to this chapter?
Dana Hoover
Feb 5, 2009
Chapter 12:
1. Explain the statement, “In war the dead pay the debts for the living.”
2. Emotional reactions from you about this chapter?
Dana Hoover
Feb 5, 2009
Chapter 13:
1. Patrick Henry, a famous Patriot, said, “Give me liberty or give me death!” How might his words have inspired soldiers like Sam?
2. Emotional reactions from you?
3. Post your Patrick Henry Limerick!
Dana Hoover
Feb 5, 2009
Chapter 14:
1. What was the irony of Sam’s pending execution? How is this similar to the irony of what happened to Mr. Meeker?
2. Emotional reactions from you?
Dana Hoover
Feb 5, 2009
Epilogue:
1. What is your reaction to the statement, “But somehow, even fifty years later, I keep thinking that there might have been another way, besides war, to achieve the same end.” Do you think the United States could have become a nation without the Revolutionary War?
2. What is your opinion of the novel?
Dana Hoover
Feb 22, 2009
Our Yankee Doodle Podcasts are finally up!! We recorded them in the classroom as one track. I hope they are enjoyed by all! We can't wait to put up our Patrick Henry limericks.
Dana Hoover
Feb 26, 2009
I very much enjoyed reading this novel with the current group of BHS and St. Als seventh graders! It is my hope that this novel taught everyone to see the "human" side of war and connect it to what is going on in our world today. I'm looking forward to more great things from this bunch of students! Way to go, guys!