Sunday, July 29, 2007

Addy Learns a Lesson

Chapter One: A New Home
Do you think freedom will be easy for Momma and Addy? Why?


Chapter Two: Freedom?
Have you felt cramped?

Would you like to share a bathroom with ten families?

“Freedom got a cost” do you think that still applies today?

How did you feel when you learned to read your name?


Chapter Three: Tested
Compare Harriet to a girl you know.

Do you think friends and enemies have changed in the last century?

Do you have a friend you study with?

How did you learn to read?

Do you think Addy is being fair to Sarah?


Chapter Four: The Lines are Drawn
What is your family like?

Have you watched troops leaving for Iraq?

Have you been made fun of?


Chapter Five: The Spelling Match
Have you been left out?

Describe a time your parents were proud of you.

Have you been in a spelling bee?

What prizes have you won in school?

Watch Akeelah and the Bee


Looking Back
Learn to sing “America”

America (My Country, 'tis of Thee) by Rev. Samuel F. Smith (1808-1895)
My country, 'tis of Thee,
Sweet Land of Liberty
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims' pride,
From every mountain side
Let Freedom ring.

My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills,
My heart with rapture thrills
Like that above.

Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees
Sweet Freedom's song;
Let mortal tongues awake;
Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.

Our fathers' God to Thee,
Author of Liberty,
To Thee we sing,
Long may our land be bright
With Freedom's holy light,
Protect us by Thy might
Great God, our King.

In February, 1832, Reverend Smith was reading through some German music and was particularly attracted to the tune of "God Save the King," although he was unable to understand the German words. "In a brief period of time at the close of a dismal winter afternoon" (his own words), he penned the verses as they now appear. The tune itself was controversial. It was considered to be "un-American" in later years, even though the tune had actually appeared in America before 1776. It was used for a number of patriotic songs, including God Save the President, and God Save George Washington. In 1798, it appeared again as an Ode to the Fourth of July, with the words, "Come All ye Sons of Song. "The author removed one of the original verses dealing with tyrants and ending with "No more our blood be shed... By alien hands."

“Rally Round the Flag”
Rallying Song

Yes, we'll rally round the flag, boys
Rally once again,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom
We will rally from the hillside
We'll gather from the plains,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

Chorus: The Union forever!
Hurrah boys hurrah!
Down with the traitor, up with the star,
While we rally round the flag, boys
Rally once again
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

2. We are springing to the call
Of our borthers gone before,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom.
And we'll fill the vacant ranks
With a million freemen more,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

Chorus:

3. We will welcome to our numbers The loyal, true and brave, Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom And altho' they may be poor Not a man shall be a slave, Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

Chorus:

4. So we're springing to the call From the East and from the West, Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom. And we'll hurl the Rebel crew From the land we love the best, Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

Chorus:

Battle Song
We are marching to the field, boys, We're going to the fight, Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom, And we bear the glorious stars For the Union and the right, Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom. Chorus: The Union forever! Hurrah boys hurrah! Down with the traitor, up with the star, For we're marching to the field, boys,

Going to the fight, Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!
2. We will meet the Rebel host, boys, With fearless heart and true, Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom, And we'll show what Uncle Sam has For loyal men to do, Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom. Chorus: 3. If we fall amid the fray, boys, We'll face them to the last, Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom. And our comrades brave shall hear us As they go rushing past, Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom. Chorus:

4. Yes, for Liberty and Union We're springing to the fight, Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom. And the vict'ry shall be ours For we're rising in our might, Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom. Chorus


This song was written as a rallying song for the Union and its supporters and was extremely popular up North. It was also known and sung down South by Confederate troops as well, who wrote their own verses.

Meet Addy

Chapter One: Whispers of Freedom
Have you faked sleeping? Did it work?

What does freedom mean to you?


Chapter Two: Sold!
Slaves were sold every day. How do you think the families felt?


Chapter Three: A New Plan
What chores do you hate?

What do you think about Momma’s view of love and hate?

Do you know anyone with a heart full of hate? What are they like? How about someone with a heart full of love?

Could you imagine leaving your baby sister, knowing you may never see her again?


Chapter Four: Into the Night
My name, Amie, also means “Much Loved”. What does your name mean?

Can you trace your relatives to the Civil War?


Chapter Five: Freedom Taken
How do you think Addy felt?

Looking Back
Read about the Underground Railroad.

Other Kirsten

Welcome to Kirsten's World
Play the games mentioned:
Follow the Leader: First a leader or "head of the line" is chosen, then the children all line up behind the leader. The leader then moves around and all the children have to mimic the leader's actions. Any players who mess up or do not do what the leader does are out of the game. The last person standing other than the leader is now the new leader.

Tree Tag Under hökens vingar kom: A somewhat similar game is known in Sweden as "Under hökens vingar kom". In this variant, the catcher(s) call out "Under hökens vingar kom!" ("Gather under the wings of the hawk") while the others (the "doves") respond "What color?" The catchers name a color, and those who wear that color can then safely walk across the field to the other side. The others have to dodge the catchers, and if caught, they join the catchers themselves.
Rules
The rules of tag are very flexible. Rules such as the following can be either decided upon before the game, or added as the game progresses to make play more fair.
At the beginning of the game, one player is designated "it". After "it" is chosen, the other players scatter. "It" must chase them down and tag them, usually by tapping them somewhere on the body. A tagged player becomes "it", and the former "it" joins the others in trying to avoid being tagged. This process repeats until the game ends.

In a typical game of tag, no score is kept, nor is a winner selected. Those who can avoid being tagged or who can stay "it" for the least amount of time are generally regarded as the best players. There is usually no time limit; the end of the game is chosen arbitrarily, perhaps when the players tire of the game, when recess ends, or when players get called home for dinner.
An anomalous property of tag is that although being "it" gives a player the most influence upon the game and thus could be considered the best role to play, the position is stigmatized and avoided. While most agree that the temporary stigma associated with being "it" is harmless, some have criticized tag because, they allege, a player who is often pursued to be made "it" or who is physically slow can be singled out and embarrassed. Because of this, tag has been banned in some schools.

Hide and seek
Hide and seek (sometimes called hide and go seek) is a popular tag variant that is best played in areas with lots of potential hiding spots, such as a forest or a large house. "It" covers their eyes or faces away from the playing field and counts out loud to some predetermined number while the other players hide. "It" then tries to find the hiding players. The next "it" is either the first or the last player found, depending on the rules agreed to by the players.

Fox and Hounds
This variation is best played in as large an area as possible, with as many participants as can be found. If played in a school, it should use the entire area covered by the grounds and, ideally, the interior of the building as well. Possibly the best games are played across an entire housing estate and involve more than a hundred players, with rules against players using their homes or gardens as hiding places. Such a game can take several hours to conclude, particularly when some players are very skilled.
The game begins with a single player (the "hound") giving the "foxes" a big enough head start to allow them to get out of sight. The hound then gives chase and tries to hunt down the foxes. Upon being tagged (or sometimes, wrestled to the ground), the foxes switch sides and become hounds.
Ultimately, all but one of the players will be hounds, chasing down a lone fox. Great kudos are due to any player who can evade the hounds for a great length of time without resorting to foul play.

Shadow Tag
This form of tag was originally played in mid- to late- afternoon or morning, but the modern ubiquity of outdoor lighting makes it a popular game for summer nights. It is exactly like tag in all respects except that shadows are used. The shadow of the player who is "it" must touch another person's shadow. The other person is now "it."

Under hökens vingar kom
A somewhat similar game is known in Sweden as "Under hökens vingar kom". In this variant, the catcher(s) call out "Under hökens vingar kom!" ("Gather under the wings of the hawk") while the others (the "doves") respond "What color?" The catchers name a color, and those who wear that color can then safely walk across the field to the other side. The others have to dodge the catchers, and if caught, they join the catchers themselves.

Blind Man's Bluff
Blind Man's Bluff involves the "it" player being blindfolded or keeping their eyes closed while attempting to catch other players. This is a flawed version of the game as "it" is clearly at a disadvantage, and cheating is easily attained by "it" opening their eyes. The game can function well in a relatively confined space (such as a larger living room) where the "it" player can hope to entrap other players in corners, thereby touching them with an outstretched hand or leg or at least compelling the other players to give away their position by creating a sound. In some variations, every player is blindfolded.

Puss in the Corner is a solitaire card game which is played with a deck of 52 playing cards. It is similar to another solitaire game Sir Tommy, but with modifications and with the waste piles placed at the corners of the foundations, hence the name. First, the four aces are separated from the rest of the deck and placed side by side in two cards of two, forming a square. The four waste piles, which initially would contain a card each, are located at the corners of the square.
Building on the foundations is up by color (red suits on red, black suits on black, no matter the suit) to kings. The player first examines the cards to move any cards that can be built on the foundations. If a gap occurs, it is not immediately filled. Only one card can be moved at a time. After the sufficient cards are built, four cards, one at a time, are dealt onto any of the wastepiles (not necessarily one on each waste pile). Afterwards, any cards that can be built to the foundations are moved. There should be no building on the wastepiles themselves. The process is repeated, i.e. dealing four cards any on the waste piles and moving any available cards (the top card of each waste pile) to the foundations over and over, until the stock is exhausted. After the stock is exhausted, the player can do a redeal. To do this, the player must pick up the four waste piles in any order one wishes, and without shuffling, restarts dealing four cards, restarting the process. The game ends when this second stock is used up.
The game is won when all the cards end up in the foundations.

Crack the Whip is a simple outdoor children's game that involves physical coordination, and is usually played in small groups, either on grass or ice. One player, chosen as the "head" of the whip, runs (or skates) around in random directions, with subsequent players holding on to the hand of the previous player. The entire "tail" of the whip moves in those directions, but with much more force toward the end of the tail. The longer the tail, the more the forces act on the last player, and the tighter they have to hold on. As the game progresses, and more players fall off, some of those who were previously located near the end of the tail and have fallen off can "move up" and be in a more secure position by grabbing onto the tail as it is moving, provided they can get back on before some of the others do. There is no objective to this game other than the enjoyment of the experience. References to this game go back to the 1890s in England. Recently, this game has been challenged by some child advocates in the U.S. as being harmful to both the physical and psychological development of children. There is the potential for some children to become seriously injured when thrown off the tail of the whip, for example, especially on ice. In addition, the social lessons of the game are not as obvious and appealing as in other types of physical games and sports.


Kirsten on the Trail
This should be read after Kirsten’s Surprise

Have you been told to stop playing with a friend?

Should Kirsten have told her parents about Singing Bird when they met?


Kirsten and the New Girl
Do you like staying home from school?

Have you embarrassed yourself?

What’s it like to be the new girl?

Looking Back
What do you and your friends do for each other?


Kirsten and the Chippewa
This should be read during Changes for Kirsten

Have you been scared of people?

Why is it rude to make fun of others?

Knowing Aunt Inger trades with the Chippewa, could that hinder Kirsten’s friendship with Singing Bird?


Kirsten Snowbound!
Read another book about the blizzard of 1888.

Has your family lost power, or worse, their home? What did you do?

Compare the blizzard with Hurricane Katrina. Which was worse? Why?


Kirsten's Promise (Should be read after Happy Birthday, Kirsten!)
Has anyone asked you to make a promise you couldn’t keep?

What other secrets should you tell?

Have you seen a wagon like Ezra’s?

If you can, play a computer game like Oregon Trail 2 to understand the rough life of pioneers.

Make a flower crown

Learn to sing “Oh Susannah”
Oh I come from Alabama with a banjo on my knee,
I'm going to Louisiana, my true love for to see
It rained all night the day I left, the weather it was dry
The sun so hot I froze to death; Susanna, don't you cry.
Oh, Susanna, don't you cry for me
For I come from Alabama,
With my banjo on my knee.
I had a dream the other night when everything was still,
I thought I saw Susanna coming up the hill,
The buckwheat cake was in her mouth, the tear was in her eye,
I said I'm coming from Dixieland, Susanna don't you cry.
I soon will be in New Orleans
And then I'll look around
And when I find my gal Susanne,
I'll fall upon the ground.

“Pop Goes the Weasel”
Half a pound of tuppenny rice,
Half a pound of treacle.
That’s the way the money goes,
Pop! goes the weasel.
Or the alternative verses:
Half a pound of tuppenny rice,
Half a pound of treacle.
Mix it up and make it nice,
Pop! goes the weasel.
Or the alternative verses:
Up and down the city road, (also seen as 'Up and down the King's Highway')
In and out the Eagle,
That’s the way the money goes,
Pop! goes the weasel.
For you may try to sew and sew,
But you'll never make anything regal,
That’s the way the money goes,
Pop! goes the weasel.
In both England and the English colonies, extra verses have been added, some humorous and others serious:
All around the mulberry bush,
The monkey chased the weasel,
The dog, he thought 'twas all in fun.
Pop! goes the weasel.
or...
Round and Round the mulberry bush,
The monkey chased the weasel.
The monkey stopped to tie his shoe.
Pop! goes the weasel.
or...
All around the mulberry bush,
The monkey chased the weasel
The weasel thought it was all in jest
Til the monkey slew the weasel
(with other versions of the above where reason for murder is given (such as the weasel biting the monkey), or later verses describing how the deed was done, typically through strangulation)
or...
Ev'ry night, when I come home,
The monkey's on the table.
I take a stick and knock him off,
Pop! goes the weasel.
or...
Round and round the cobblers bench,
The monkey chased the weasel,
The monkey stopped to pull up his socks.
Pop! goes the weasel.
or...
Round and round the carpenter's bench,
The monkey chased the weasel,
The monkey thought 'twas all in good fun.
Pop! goes the weasel.
or...
Round and round the cobblers bench,
The monkey chased the weasel,
The monkey thought 'twas all in fun.
Pop! goes the weasel.
A penny for a spool of thread,
A penny for a needle.
That's the way the money goes,
Pop! goes the weasel.

Due to the obscure slang and cryptic reference "pop goes the weasel", there is considerable dispute over the rhyme's meaning.

Find another song from the period to learn.

Changes For Kirsten

Chapter One: On the Trap Line
Can your older siblings do things you can’t? What activities can you join in on? Can you do things without your younger siblings?

John teases Kirsten. Do your brother’s friends tease you?

Have you cared for a wounded animal?

Why should they leave the raccoon?

Talk to your parents or a park ranger about the difference between a wild animal and a pet.


Chapter Two: Fire!
What do you do in the winter?

Do you have a baby sibling?

What promises did Kirsten break?

Have you had to start over? What was it like?

Talk to your parents about an escape plan for your family in case of a fire.


Chapter Three: Good News?
What does your family do in troubling times?


Chapter Four: Old Jack
Have you ever been lost?


Chathper Five: Welcome Home
What changes has Kirsten experienced in the series?


Looking back
Talk to your mom, grandmothers and aunts about what appliances make their lives easier. Find out how daily life has changed in three generations.

Kirsten Saves the Day

Chapter One: The Bee Tree
Have you seen a bee tree?

Does you mother worry?

Have you gone fishing?

Have you been stung by a bee?

Do you think Kirsten can get the honey? Should she try?

Talk to your parents about the dangers of bees, and their benefits.


Chapter Two: In the Berry Patch
What is your favorite fruit?

Ask an adult to take you berry picking.

Should Kirsten worry about the bear cub?

How do you celebrate the Fourth of July?


Chapter Three: Bears!
Have you ever recklessly put yourself or someone else in danger?

How do your parents punish you?


Chapter Four: Bringing Back the Bees
Have you ever tried to help, only to have it not work out how you anticipated?


Chapter Five: The Best Basswood Honey
What gift do you want, more than anything in the world?


Looking Back
Have you gone camping?

Would you want to live in the wilderness forever?

Happy Birthday, Kirsten!

Chapter One: Tornado!
Have you been in a tornado? What did you do?

If you’ve moved, what do you have to remember your friends? If you haven’t moved, have you ever given someone something to remember you by?


Chapter Two: New Babies
Do you think it’s still dangerous to have a baby?

What things does your mom worry about?

Have you and your friends surprised someone?

What gifts have you given your teachers?

Do you help with younger siblings?

Compare your chores with Kirsten’s. Which would you prefer?

Have you seen new kittens or puppies?


Chapter Three: Big Enough
Wood Thrush:





Chapter Four: Party Plans
How do you celebrate your birthday?


Chapter Five: Friends Come Around
Make a daisy chain with your friends.

What music does your family listen to?

Have you danced with your dad?


Looking Back
Midwife is the term traditionally used to describe the art of assisting a woman through childbirth.

How do you help your family?

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Kirsten's Surprise

Chapter One: Pestering
Have you pestered your parents or siblings?

How do you prepare for winter?


Chapter Two: A Crown for a Queen
Read about Saint Lucia, also known as Saint Lucy.


Chapter Three: To Town at Last
Have you ever wanted to go somewhere that badly?


Chapter Four: Braving the Blizzard
Have you been in a blizzard? What was it like?

Do you think Kirsten should’ve told her father about Singing Bird?


Chapter Five: Silent Night, Lucia Night
Have you surprised your family?

Have you taken part in the feast of Saint Lucia?


Looking Back
Read some of the “Little House” Christmas stories. Compare their celebrations with Kirsten’s, and your own.

Kirsten Learns a Lesson

Chapter One: Miss Winston
Have you ever been the new girl in school?

Have you had a new teacher?

How do your teachers get acquainted with the students?

Have you ever had to learn a new language?

Read the words to the song. Imagine the class singing it together.

What games do you and your friends play?

Indian: What images come to mind?


Chapter Two: A Secret Friend
Have you memorized a poem or verse?

How do your teachers reward you?

What do you think of the Indian girl?


Chapter Three: Visitors
Would you want your teacher to live with you? Why?

Do you have a secret fort?

Our remaining Indians live on Reservations. Have you been to one?


Chapter Four: Singing Bird and Yellow Hair
How do you exercise your memory?

Have you lied to your parents? What happened? Why is telling the truth better?


Chapter Five: Belonging
Why do you think Kirsten memorized the poem so easily?

Have you ever preferred a friends family over your own? How were the families different?

How did Singing Bird help Kirsten?

Do you think they will see each other again?


Looking Back
What time do you get out of school?
How old were you when you first went to school?

Friday, July 27, 2007

Meet Kirsten

Meet Kirsten
Chapter One: America!
Where do you and your friends like to play?

Do you have relatives who live far away?

What would you do if you were on Kirstens ship, traveling to America for the first time, and someone in your family was sent back?


Chapter Two: Lost!


Cloudberries:
The ripe fruits are golden-yellow, soft and juicy, and are rich in vitamin C. When eaten fresh, cloudberries have a distinctive tart taste. When over-ripe, they have a creamy texture and flavor somewhat like yogurt. They are often made into jams, juices, and tarts. In Sweden, they are also used as an ice cream topping.
Due to its high vitamin C content, the berry is valued as protection against scurvy. Its high benzoic acid content acts as a natural preservative.

Have you ever been lost? What did you do?

How did you reunite with your parents?

What could Kirsten have done differently?


Chapter Three: Across the New Land
How do you try to stay close to family?

This is my favorite picture in the book, which is your favorite?


Chapter Four: A Sad Journey
Cholera

Has a friend of yours died? How did you feel?


Chapter Five: Home at Last
What would you bring to a new world?

What’s the longest distance you’ve walked?


Meadowlark

Looking Back
What would you take on a journey like Kirstens?

Just a word of help....

Feel free to use the questions on this blog when discussing the books with your daughters. The questions are written for the girls to answer, but if you feel comfortable, answer them yourself first and discuss your answers with your daughter. This is meant to be a link to the past, to help you and your child find further adventures together. I've tried to stay away from the recipes in the books for copyright reasons. Play the games, listen to the music, sing the songs. When possible, visit the locations to involve your child in history. Happy reading, and above all, HAVE FUN!