Some questions to lead our discussion of the final chapters of My Brother Sam is Dead.
1. Tim does not know the details of his father's death, or even where is body is. How would you feel if you were left in the dark about these facts?
2. Betsy states that she doesn't care who wins the war, she just wants it to end. Despite having strong feelings about the fight initially, do you think you would react the same as Betsy?
3. Do you think Tim resents Sam and the war for hlding him back from getting his education?
4. Sam is accused of stealing his own family's cattle. Do you think this action would be true to his character traits?
5. How do you think Tim felt while he was waiting to talk to General Putnam?
6. how did you feel when Mother let Tim run out and try to save Sam? Did you agree with her surrender?
7. How did you react to the book's ending? Do you think it was a good ending? Would you change anything?
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Ch. 6- 11 Investigator
Your job is to dig up some background information on any topic related to your book.
1. The authors of My Brother Sam is Dead, James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier, are brothers who have teamed together to write eight historical fiction novels. Christopher is a professor specializing in American history and James focuses on plot and characterization. They both live in the northeast (James in NYC and Christopher in Orange, Connecticut).
2. These authors have included many real events and people. They mention that the following peices are true:
A) Redding, Connecticut & it's description
B) the Meeker tavern
C) The church (though it has been burnt and rebuilt) along with the
gravestones of Heron and Meeker family members.
D) People: Gen. Israel Putnam, Colonel Reed, Tom Warrups, Ned the slave
(dying the same way as described), William Heron, Capt Betts, Daniel Starr,
Amos Rogers, Jerry Sanford, john Beach, the Meeker family (though the
details have been made up)
E) Yale students did rush away to get weapons and join the war in 1775
F) Redding was a strong Tory town
G) The British raid of Redding
H) Rebel messenger was shot
I) "Sam" wasn't executed, but Edward Jones and John Smith were killed in a
similar way as described for Sam.
3. The authors did a lot of research at the Connecticut State Library in Hartford, using historical dosuments and primary sources.
4. These resources associate with the information covered in the book:
A) The American Heritage Book of the American Revolution
B) The War of American Independence
C) The Connecticut Story
D) The History of Redding, Connecticut
E) The War of Revolution
5. This website is the History of Redding, Connecticut, and includes a lot of true information relating to the book. There are maps, photos, and facts about the real people and events of the location:
http://www.historyofredding.com/HRmbsd.htm
1. The authors of My Brother Sam is Dead, James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier, are brothers who have teamed together to write eight historical fiction novels. Christopher is a professor specializing in American history and James focuses on plot and characterization. They both live in the northeast (James in NYC and Christopher in Orange, Connecticut).
2. These authors have included many real events and people. They mention that the following peices are true:
A) Redding, Connecticut & it's description
B) the Meeker tavern
C) The church (though it has been burnt and rebuilt) along with the
gravestones of Heron and Meeker family members.
D) People: Gen. Israel Putnam, Colonel Reed, Tom Warrups, Ned the slave
(dying the same way as described), William Heron, Capt Betts, Daniel Starr,
Amos Rogers, Jerry Sanford, john Beach, the Meeker family (though the
details have been made up)
E) Yale students did rush away to get weapons and join the war in 1775
F) Redding was a strong Tory town
G) The British raid of Redding
H) Rebel messenger was shot
I) "Sam" wasn't executed, but Edward Jones and John Smith were killed in a
similar way as described for Sam.
3. The authors did a lot of research at the Connecticut State Library in Hartford, using historical dosuments and primary sources.
4. These resources associate with the information covered in the book:
A) The American Heritage Book of the American Revolution
B) The War of American Independence
C) The Connecticut Story
D) The History of Redding, Connecticut
E) The War of Revolution
5. This website is the History of Redding, Connecticut, and includes a lot of true information relating to the book. There are maps, photos, and facts about the real people and events of the location:
http://www.historyofredding.com/HRmbsd.htm
Friday, November 13, 2009
Ch. 1-5: Connector
Tara Funicello
My Brother Sam Is Dead Chapters 1-5
Literature Circle role: Connector
Some connections I found between this reading and other people places, events, authors:
1. One obvious connection I made was the American Revolution to our current war. While we are not fighting over sides, in our country we do argue whether or not we should be in war. While we all felt the pain of the original attacks, many Americans do not feel going to war is the answer. There are many heated arguements here about what good we are doing overseas.
2. "These agitators can always manage to stir up the passions of the people for a week or so, but it never lasts. A month later everybody's forgotten it- except the wives and children of the men who've managed to get themselves killed" (Pg 7).
I think this quote is especially relevant in today's world. We hear news on the television or radio about something horrible that has happened, and we react strongly and quickly. Unfortunately, we quickly forget about the event and move on with our lives, until something else happens. While it is expected for us not to live our lives in fear or anger, we must not forget the conditions our citizens are dealing with. This can be applied to a war situation, like the book, but also in more local situations (homelessness, poverty, criminal acts etc.). Change will only happen if we remember what everyone before us has fought for.
3. Tim's perspective of his brother Sam reminded me of my own family dynamic. When I went away to college, or currently while my younger sister is doing the same, we always wanted peace when we were all together. Coming home to visit meant enjoying the family time. We always tried to save any silly bickering for another time, because we understood how nice it was to be together. Thinking of Thanksgiving approaching, I couldn't help but think about how outside situations influence everyone, and bringing fmaily together does not change that.
4. On page 62 Tim descrbes how the war did not seem real since he did not know the people involved. For a long time I felt the same way about our current war. I had known people who were in the army, but it did not become real until a friend of mine was sent to Afghanistan. Suddenly paying attention to the news and staying informed was much more important. I can imagine that Tim felt similar once Sam became involved.
5. On page 70 Mr. Heron asks if Tim wants to deliver "business letters" for him, although the reader knows that it involves the war. This reminded me of the book Toliver's Secret, in which a young girl carries a message for George Washington from a Patriot. This connection led me to predict that Tim is going to accept the mission and delivers the notes.
My Brother Sam Is Dead Chapters 1-5
Literature Circle role: Connector
Some connections I found between this reading and other people places, events, authors:
1. One obvious connection I made was the American Revolution to our current war. While we are not fighting over sides, in our country we do argue whether or not we should be in war. While we all felt the pain of the original attacks, many Americans do not feel going to war is the answer. There are many heated arguements here about what good we are doing overseas.
2. "These agitators can always manage to stir up the passions of the people for a week or so, but it never lasts. A month later everybody's forgotten it- except the wives and children of the men who've managed to get themselves killed" (Pg 7).
I think this quote is especially relevant in today's world. We hear news on the television or radio about something horrible that has happened, and we react strongly and quickly. Unfortunately, we quickly forget about the event and move on with our lives, until something else happens. While it is expected for us not to live our lives in fear or anger, we must not forget the conditions our citizens are dealing with. This can be applied to a war situation, like the book, but also in more local situations (homelessness, poverty, criminal acts etc.). Change will only happen if we remember what everyone before us has fought for.
3. Tim's perspective of his brother Sam reminded me of my own family dynamic. When I went away to college, or currently while my younger sister is doing the same, we always wanted peace when we were all together. Coming home to visit meant enjoying the family time. We always tried to save any silly bickering for another time, because we understood how nice it was to be together. Thinking of Thanksgiving approaching, I couldn't help but think about how outside situations influence everyone, and bringing fmaily together does not change that.
4. On page 62 Tim descrbes how the war did not seem real since he did not know the people involved. For a long time I felt the same way about our current war. I had known people who were in the army, but it did not become real until a friend of mine was sent to Afghanistan. Suddenly paying attention to the news and staying informed was much more important. I can imagine that Tim felt similar once Sam became involved.
5. On page 70 Mr. Heron asks if Tim wants to deliver "business letters" for him, although the reader knows that it involves the war. This reminded me of the book Toliver's Secret, in which a young girl carries a message for George Washington from a Patriot. This connection led me to predict that Tim is going to accept the mission and delivers the notes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)