Lesson 1

Chapters 1-3

Instructions

1.  Answer each of the following questions.
2.  Be sure to include page and paragraph for proof.

Problem/Solution
Describe Papa's problem in this section of the book.  What has Papa attempted to do about the problem so far in this section?

• Papa is looking for a wife and mother for his children.  His wife died shortly after giving birth to Caleb.  Papa has tried very hard to provide for his children's needs, but now he needs someone else to assist him.  Papa has submitted a personal ad to the newspaper and he has received a response from Sarah.  Sarah is going to come to the prairie from Maine for a trial period with Papa, Anna and Caleb.

• Caleb's goals in this section are to learn as much as possible about his mother and Sarah from Anna.  Caleb asks Anna many questions about Sarah in hopes of learning more about her. (pg. 17, last 5 paragraphs)

Three events from this section:

• Papa writes a letter to the newspaper (pg. 8, para. 1)
• Anna and Caleb each write a letter to Sarah (p. 11, para. 1)
• Papa dresses before going to town to meet the train Sarah is on (pg. 16, para. 2)

• Papa writes a letter to the newspaper in hopes of finding a wife and mother for his children.  He receives a response to his letter from Sarah in Maine. (pg. 9, para. 1)
• Anna and Caleb each write to Sarah because they want to learn more about her and Sarah wants to find out additional information about the children she is going to meet. (pg. 11, para. 1)
• Papa dresses and goes into town to pick up Sarah.  Sarah came to town from Maine on the train.  She will be staying for a trial period with Papa and the children on the prairie. (pg. 16, para. 2)

Answer:  C

Prediction
What do you predict will happen after Sarah gets to the prairie?

• I predict that Sarah will enjoy being on the prairie with Papa, Anna and Caleb.  She may stay for a long time or just the short amount of time she has already planned.  If she stays longer than she has planned, it might be because she has or is falling in love with Papa.

Lesson 1

Chapters 1-3

Instructions

1.  Pick four passages from the section you read today.
2.  After picking the passage, do the Passage Picker job for each passage.
3.  You need one passage for each of the following reasons.

• descriptive
• simile
• intriguing
• funny/amusing

Passage 1 - Simile
1.  p. 5, para. 3
2.  “Slowly, one ……… wasn't winter.
3.   I choose this passage because the simile (…the days seemed long and dark like winter days…) gives the reader additional information.  The length of a winter day implies the feeling you get when the cold and darkness of a winter day seems to linger for many hours more than a day is long.
4. What types of feelings does this passage imply that Anna might be experiencing?  Answer:  The passage implies that Anna and Papa are feeling very lost in their mother and wife's absence; much like the absence you feel on a cold winter day.
5.  The authors purpose in this passage is to describe Anna and Papa's feelings.
 

Passage 2 - Funny/Amusing
1.  pg. 8, para. 3
2.  “Caleb and I………fire go out.”
3.  This passage is amusing for the reader because it shows the reader that Caleb and Anna are being  lighthearted about the possibility that Sarah may or may not be a better "housekeeper" than Hilly was.
4.  What two objects does the simile compare? Answer:  Hilly's high whistle snoring is compared to a teakettle.
5.  The author's purpose of this passage is to entertain the reader.
 

Passage 3 - Descriptive
1.  pg. 16, para. 1
2.  “Sara came………and blue-eyed grass.”
3.  This passage gives the reader a descriptive image of the prairie landscape.  From MacLachlan description the reader makes a clear mental picture of Sarah coming up the road on the wagon through the field of green grass and blooming flowers.
4.  What feeling does the word spring evoke in the reader?  Answer:  Spring evokes a feeling of renewal and freshness in the reader and also makes the reader excited about the future of Sarah on the prairie with Papa, Anna and Caleb.
5.  The author's purpose in this passage is to describe the setting (physical and emotional) to the reader.
 

Passage 4 - Intriguing
1.  pg. 17, para. 6
2.  “Caleb slipped his hand………Will she like us?  Asked Caleb very softly.”
3.  This passage is intriguing and suspenseful as the reader awaits the arrival of Sarah to the farm and the life that Papa, Anna and Caleb have to offer.  Caleb is a bit uneasy about a new person being in his house, but at the same time he is eager to have a "mother figure" in his life.
4.  Why is Caleb asking Anna so many questions in this passage?  Answer:  Caleb wants to learn as much as he can about Sarah prior to her arrival.  Caleb is also acting partially out of nervousness.
5.  The author's purpose in this passage is to inform the reader about Caleb's uncertainties.
 
 

Instructions

1.  Find each of the following words in the passage we read for class today.
2.  Do the Word Wizard job for each word.

• dusk; p. 3, para. 1
• hearthstones; p. 3, para. 5
• troublesome; p.4, para. 9
• gophers; p. 17, para. 1

1.  dusk
2.  "It was dusk, and the dogs lay beside him on the warm hearthstones."
3.  Dusk is the time of day between full daylight and total darkness or night, the temperature decreases slightly at dusk.
4.  Noun
5.  It is more difficult to see at dusk, when the night is approaching, than in full daylight.
6.  Word Card

1.  gopher
2.  "Gophers ran back and forth across the road, stopping to stand up and watch the wagon."
3.  a small burrowing animal found in prairie terrain
4.  noun
5.  What type of animal is a gopher?  A gopher is a small burrowing animal, often with large cheek pouches.
6.  Word card

1.  hearthstones
2.  "It made a hollow scraping sound on the hearthstones."
3.  the stone slabs that cover the area around the fire in a home
4.  noun
5.  The hearthstones are made of flat, slate slabs and are very cool to touch.  The hearthstones also help prevent sparks and embers from hitting the floor of the house.
6.  make a word card

1.  troublesome
2.  "I would have named you Troublesome," I said, making Caleb smile.
3.  causing trouble or anxiety; annoying or difficult to handle
4.  adjective
5.  Anna tells Caleb that she would have named him Troublesome because his continuous questions are beginning to annoy her.
6.  make a word card
 
 

Instructions

Your job is to make a Character Map of Anna based on the information in this section.  You need to find:

• 3 character traits, example and proof including page and paragraph
•  one of the Anna's goals for this section
• one of Anna's problems in the section
• the solution to Anna's problem or a predicted solution if the solution hasn't been decided

_____________________________________

Character Traits

• mournful - while thinking about Mama's death and funeral - pg. 5; para. 2
• caring - as she comforts Caleb about Sarah's arrival and how she will like the prairie - pg. 17; last paragraph
• hopeful - as she turns the stone in her hand, hoping Sarah likes them - pg. 21; para. 3

• Anna wants to make Sarah's arrival and stay a good experience so she will want to stay on the prairie with them.

• Anna is getting tired of being so patient with all of Caleb's questions about Mama and Sarah.

• Anna realizes she must remain strong for Caleb and Papa.  She is relieved when Sarah arrives and fills the void in their lives.

 

Investigator
Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
Level 4

Instructions

Your job is to gather  background information about the mail service (Pony Express) that Papa and Sarah possibly used to mail their letters to each other.  Some specific things to look for are:

1.  What was the Pony Express?
2.  What was the purpose of the Pony Express?
3.  What two towns were connected by the Pony Express?  Locate these towns on the class map for your group.
4.  List and explain 3 interesting facts you found out about the Pony Express?
5.  Is the Pony Express still in existence today? Why or why not?

Ways to gather information

• on-line internet search
• encyclopedia
• books in the library
• textbook

• Pony Express Information Page
• Founding of the Pony Express

1.  What was the Pony Express?

• The Pony Express was a popular mail service that ran from Missouri to California from April 1860 until October 1861.  On the Pony Express route there were approximately 165 stations.  The mail was transported by horse.  The riders would ride very long hours and change horses every 10-15 miles.  The average pay for a Pony Express rider was $100 per month.

• The Pony Express was created to provide fast mail delivery in hopes of drawing attention to a central mail route across the United States and gain a million dollar government mail contract for Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Company.

• St. Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California

• Riders for the Pony Express were preferred to be around 18 years old and expert horseback riders.  This was so the company could be efficient in delivering the mail.
• The Pony Express departed once or twice a week from the east and west depending on the time of year.
• The cost of mailing something was very expensive.  The rates were $5.00 for a 1/2 ounce package in 1860 and $1.00 for a 1/2 ounce package in 1861.

• The Pony Express is no longer in existence because the telegraph was completed in late October 1861.  The telegraph was a much quicker way to send messages and mail than using the Pony Express.  However, the Pony Express did play an important role in improving communication between the east and west coast.