Chapters 1-3
We meet the characters and learn about the setting.
Hint: Story Mountain
Background Information
“Piece of cake, chief,” Hooter grinned, flexing his muscles. Piece of cake is an example of ____.
a. Simile
b. Idiom
c. Metaphor
d. Personification
b. Idiom
The American soldiers were dressed in tattered uniforms. Tattered means ____________.
a. Beautiful
b. Wealthy
c. New
d. Worn out
d. Worn out
Define Ingenuity
A skill or cleverness used to solve problems
How did Israel show dedication to his sister Abby?
He bought her blue beads from a tinker.
What do Mr. and Mrs. Hornbee think when Matt tells them where he is from?
Mr. and Mrs. Hornbee assume Matt was hit on the head during battle when he begins talking about the future.
Why were the Hessian soldiers so intrigued by Band-aids?
Because they had never seen anything like it.
What was the effect of the following cause:
Katie caught Matt putting his peas into the sugar bowl.
a. The club members got into the rowboat and vanished.
b. Matt was forced to invite Katie along on their camp-out so she wouldn’t tattle.
c. The club members decided to take a hike along the lake.
B. Matt was forced to invite Katie along on their camp-out so she wouldn’t tattle.
When General Washington first encountered the children, he worried that they could be ______.
Spies for the British.
Define unison
To do something together at the same time
How did Israel Gates get enlisted (signed up) into the Army? Did he want to enlist?
He had enlisted because he needed to make money for his family after his father had spent it on alcohol.
Define militia
A group of people who are not part of a country’s military, but are trained soldiers
How did Mr. Hornbee show kindness towards Matt?
He let him have his mule, Blackjack, to get to the river.
What did Tony trade with the Indians?
His video game
December 25th, 1776
Christmas Day
What is the legend of Lake Levart?
According to the legend, some people who row out on the lake at night disappear. Some people return and others are never seen again.
These stories are a type of fantasy that use science and technology (robots, time machines, etc...).
What obstacles has the Continental Army faced?
The Continental Army has faced disease, attacks from Native Americans, and supply shortages.
Why was the snow red when Matt was walking with soldiers?
Many soldiers have been working without shoes, causing their feet to get scraped. As they march, their bleeding feet turns the snow red.
Who saved Matt from the Indians?
Hooter and Tony
How did the boys feel after the Hessian, Gustav, was killed?
They were upset that he was shot and thankful that he saved Katie.
Define suppress
To not allow people to know about or see something
or
Silencing/keeping quiet
We read about the main events that lead up to the main problem of the story.
Hint: Story Mountain
Rising Action
Define muffled
a quiet sound
Why is Matt glad he did not wear a red sweatshirt?
If Matt was wearing red, the Continental Army might have thought he was part of the British Army because the British soldiers wear red.
Explain what is meant by the following quote by Henry: “He’ll go to his reward either way.”
Henry means that Israel will get a reward whether he lives or dies. If he lives, he will get to go home to his family. If he dies, he will get to go to heaven.
Define terrain
a stretch of land, especially with regard to its physical features.
Define mercenaries
Soldiers who are paid by a foreign country to fight in their army
What is Matt’s role in the club?
Matt is the president of the club.
Define comrade
Great friend or ally
What is Historical Fiction?
These are fictional stories that take place in a time period from the past. The setting is usually real, but the characters are made up.
What is meant by “Washington’s ragtag band of rebels”?
The Continental Army was rebelling against Great Britain. The newly formed Continental Army could not afford supplies for the troops, so many wore rags and did not have the military supplies they needed.
What is the difference between a Patriot and a Tory?
A patriot is a colonist who supported American independence. A Tory is a colonist who remained loyal to Great Britain.
How does Matt communicate with the Native Americans?
Matt communicates by acting things out and making connections. For example, he matches the color of the berries to the hair color.
We find out about an event that changes the course of the story.
Hint: Story Mountain
Climax/Critical Event
What was the effect of the following cause:
The adventure club decided that just camping in the
backyard wasn’t much of an adventure.
a. The club members got into the rowboat and vanished.
b. Matt was forced to invite Katie along on their camp-out so she wouldn’t tattle.
c. The club members decided to take a hike along the lake.
C. The club members decided to take a hike along the lake.
What do the kids find written inside the boat?
The boys find the words “Emit Levart” inside the boat.
What happened to Adam Hibbs?
He fell on the bayonet of his musket and died.
Define artillery
The part of an army that uses guns
Define marvel
To feel great surprise, wonder, or admiration
Define transfixed
To cause (someone) to become motionless with horror, wonder, or astonishment.
Define beckoned
To signal someone to come closer with your hand or arm
What is the purpose of the club Matt has started?
The purpose of the club is to talk about adventures people have had throughout history.
Define ominously
Suggests that something bad is going to happen in the future
What is Realistic Fiction?
These are stories that are made up, but include events that could happen in real life.
Define turbulence
Sudden, violent movements of air or water
What do the kids think they need to do to return home?
The kids think they can return home if they are able to find the rowboat.
Define currency
Something used as money
Define crucial
Very important
Define ammunition
Objects that are shot or thrown from weapons
What is the effect of the following cause:
Matt noticed that Katie was still wrapped in George Washington’s cape after he had already left.
Matt went after George Washington to return his cape.
Why don’t the soldiers know where Nebraska is located?
The soldiers do not know where Nebraska is located because Nebraska didn't exist yet.
How might the bad weather help the Continental Army?
The bad weather could create dark skies and better disguise the Continental Army during the day.
Define daft
Crazy
Explain what is meant by the following quote by Hooter: “Who are the good guys and who are the bad guys? It’s not like on TV, when you can always tell.”
Hooter is saying that in war there are good and bad people on both sides of the conflict.
How does Matt find the missing beads?
He found it in the hands of a Patriot
What kind of conflict is it when a character confronts another character?
Man vs. Man
Define feeble
Very weak
Define bayonet
A rifle with a long knife attached to the end of it
What are Hessians? What side are the Hessians on?
A Hessian is a German soldier hired for military service. The Hessians were hired to fight alongside the British Army.
Define reverence
Honor or respect that is shown towards someone or something
What do you think the patriot soldiers mean when they refer to “double-talk”?
The soldiers believe that since the kids are with the Hessians, they are Tories (support the British). They believe the kids are only saying they are patriots to get out of the trouble they are in.
Define industrious
Hard-working
What is the setting at the very beginning of the story?
Matt's House
Why does the club get nervous when they look at the moon?
The moon is a three quarter moon which is the type that happened each time a person disappeared at the lake.
True or False: Matt went to the army to return the General’s tri-cornered hat.
FALSE
Define brusque
Talking or be having in a direct, brief, and unfriendly way
What does Katie ask for in return for George Washington’s socks?
Katie asks Q for her own personal bag of marshmallows in return for George Washington’s socks.
Why did the Germans get involved in the Revolutionary War?
The British king, George, was running out of British troops to send to North America, so he paid the Germans to send some of their troops.
Why does the dollar bill lead the Hessians to believe Q is a rebel?
The dollar bill has George Washington on it, who is the leader of the Continental Army.