Chapter 1 - 2 Questions

These are all very LITERAL questions, which means they are right from the book.  They are also called RIGHT THERE questions because the answer comes right from the book on a single page and there really is only one right answer.

1. Who barges into the Meeker tavern in April 1775, and with what news?

  

2. How does Sam feel about fighting the Lobsterbacks?

  

3. How does Sam answer when the minister, Mr. Beach, asks him if he thinks he knows better than the King and Parliament?

 4.  How has Sam's father handled him in the past for speaking out?

5. What complaint does Sam have when Tim asks him to help with the chores?

6. Where does Sam tell Timmy he is going and why did he come home?

  

7. After father orders Sam out of the house, what does father do?

  

8. What is father's opinion of Sam's cause?

  

9. After church, where does Tim find Sam hiding?

 10. Why does Tim become alarmed?

Chapter 1 - 3 Extensions

Respond to one of these pieces of information/questions AND respond to someone else's response.  For example, if someone already commented on number 1 and you also want to, respond to their comment.  Try not to repeat what someone else has already stated!

1. Go to this website to learn about taverns in this time period:
Taverns

2. Read about the Brown Bess:

3. How the Brown Bess works:

4. What is this poem about?  Do you like it?  Concord Hymn

5. Sam's family seems to be very concerned with avoiding sin and treason, and sometimes Sam gets in trouble for being less than "perfect" in his family's eyes. What are some of the things that Sam does that his father might not approve of? Give one specific example. Do you think Sam is right in doing and thinking what he does, or should he be more loyal to his family's values? Why or why not?

6. Here are some of the important battle locations:
Map

7. Find some period words that you think are unique to this time period.  Find out what they mean.  Are they still used today?

Pre-Reading Questions

Each person should watch the video and respond thoughtfully to at least one question.  If you found the answer on the internet, cite the source where you found it!

Battle at Lexington and Concord

1. Where and why was the American Revolution fought? What issues were important to both sides?


2. What was the sentiment of the country concerning this conflict? Was there more than one central train of thought? What factors influenced these opinions?


3. What were the troops called on both sides?     How did these troops dress respectively?  Add in pictures of the uniforms.


4. What was the result of the conflict? How did this influence the future of this nation?


5. At what age did youngsters go to college in this country during this era? Was there equal opportunity for girls and boys educationally and otherwise?


6. Were racial and societal prejudices prevalent during this time in history? Research and explain.


7. What role did religion play during this time period?  What religion was most common in the colonies?  Summarize that religion.


8.  Who wrote this book?  Tell more about them.  Why did they write about this topic?  Did it win any awards?


9. Make a list of these people and who they were:
Minutemen   Whigs   Loyalists   Lobsterbacks   Tories   Patriots   Redcoats   Continentals   Rebels
Were they pro-American or pro-British?

Chapters 4, 5, and 6 Extension

1. Mark Bunker Hill on your map.  How many of the rebel soldiers in the battle were African American?

2. Design a new cover for the book.

3. What games were Tim playing with Jerry Sanford in chapter 3?   Read about one of the games here:
http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/games/beard/mumbly_peg.htm

4. The only form of communication in Colonial times were newspapers and pamphlets so people got the news long after it happened.  How is that different from today?  How do you think our modern day instant communication would have changed the war?

5. The prices of goods keep increasing and it is harder to find items the Meekers need for the tavern and the store.  What is that increase of prices called? (look online!)  Why are costs increasing and goods harder to find?

6 What do you think about Mr. Heron?  Do you think he is a Tory or a Patriot?  Why?

7. Wood was critical for cooking and heating the tavern.  Find the section about wood in this article and list the other uses of wood.  How much wood did the average family use to heat their homes and cook their meals?
http://www.engr.psu.edu/mtah/articles/colonial_wood_water.htm