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Maine Sampler, Part II Alex, Who Won His War by Chester Aaron |
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Walker, 1991 Summary: Nazi espionage agents threaten to kill two helpless women if Alex doesn't help with their sabotage plans in Connecticut. Concern for the fate of his brother during the final months of World War 11 adds to Alex's anguish. Level: Grades 5-8 Themes:
Activities: 1. After Alex reports the drowned man, he has his usual Friday night dinner at the diner and studies the war posters on the wall (p. 27). From the slogans on the three posters, what message is each one trying to give the American people? Make a poster illustrating one of those messages, researching for accuracy. For instance if the poster has a ship in it, refer to pictures of warships at that time to help yours be authentic. On the bottom of each poster, put appropriate source information. A small group may jointly create 3 such posters. [Information Skills.- location and selection, interpretation, production, SAMPLE POSTER: 2. Most German saboteurs had spent time living in the country to which they were assigned so that their diction and terminology and understanding of the country's customs were close to native. They were not natives, however, and at times made mistakes. These mistakes made them vulnerable to exposure. Hans was confused by "caught it" on page 74 and couldn't decide whether to say "aunts" or "aunties" on page 98. One more slip could lead to discovery. For instance, on page 131, Hans and Dieter had to pay extra fare on the bus for their many packages. If the driver had asked them for a "sawbuck" (50 cents), and they had given him a dime, the driver could have become suspicious and perhaps noticed that their disintegrating makeup revealed their masculinity. A call to the police from a toll station could have shortened and changed the story. Find another spot and bring the story to a swift conclusion. (You might wish to move the story to Maine and research John Gould's Maine Lingo to find the revealing mistake.) [Information Skills: skimming and scanning, select, communicate/ Thinking Skills: knowledge, application] 3a. The spies use a compass they have brought with them and have clearly been trained in the skills of navigation (p. 8 1). Locate 6 other things the spies use in their work. List them with a page number and a short description of the skill they require. [Information Skills: inquiry, interpretation, skimming and scanning / Thinking Skills: interpretation]< 3b. Now add something that is NOT in the book that saboteurs could use and that requires a skill. Write up to a page, having Hans and/or Dieter using it and exhibiting the skills required. Indicate where in the book this would be inserted. Ideas can be found in resources about spies and saboteurs. [Information Skills: access, location, selection, evaluation, communication / Thinking Skills: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, evaluation] 4. Alex found himself between a rock and a hard place. No matter what he did or decided he felt he would be endangering lives or aiding the enemy. Write about a time when you found yourself in a situation where choosing seemed impossible? What decision did you make? Why did you choose that one? If you could go back, what would you have done differently? Explain. [Information Skills: inquiry /Thinking Skills: analysis, evaluation] 5. Read about Nazi saboteurs in the United States during World War II. You will find some information that could explain some ideas you find in Alex. Find at least 3 ideas Chester Aaron probably used from researching just the way you are. Look especially for a reason why Hans told about the three bombs when he was arrested. Relate these ideas in writing to their counterparts in Alex. [Information Skills: selection, interpretation, communication / Thinking Skills: knowledge, interpretation, application, synthesis] Resources
Prepared by Audrey Conant, Wayne Elementary School |
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