A Family Apart by Joan Lowery Nixon

Here are some of the historical events mentioned in the book:

• Westward expansion
• Children's Aid Society
• The Orphan Trains
• The "Potato" Famine of Ireland 
• Events that lead to the Civil War
• The Underground Railroad
• Fugitive Slave Act
• Missouri Compromise

Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce

Chief Joseph's speech in DC

Click on the link above to listen to the speech Chief Joseph made in Washington, D.C.

• How is the tone different from the one in his surrender speech?
• What happened to his people and how does he react?
• Which strategies does he use to make his speech effective?

Vocabulary:
Surrender
Bravery
Escape
Measles

"The Interlopers" by H.H. Munro

Extended activities - Writing - Pick one question and answer it in a paragraph. Be sure to:

1. Have a topic sentence that answers the question.
2. Include at least 5 supporting details that can be traced (or quoted) to the text.
3. Use adjective words and phrases that linger or draw pictures in the reader's mind.
4. Write in complete sentences, use punctuation and correct spelling.

• Do you think a different ending would have been more satisfying? Explain your answer.
• Is any feud that leads to death worth the cause? Explain your answer.
• Why do you think Ulrich and Georg's attitudes toward each other change?
• What is revealed about each man as they are pinned by the beech tree?
• What does Saki seem to be saying about the role of man's plans with this surprise ending?
• The forest plays an important role in this story. Find two examples where the forest almost seems to be a character itself.
• A beech tree is a classical symbol for a loving couple in much of literature. What significance can be drawn from Saki's use of the beech tree in this story?
• What does the fact that the land being disputed is not necessarily desirable reveal about the families who have fought over its ownership for so many years?
• If the two men had been saved, how would they have behaved toward each other years later? Explain your answer.