My Brother Sam is Dead

The author's main purpose in writing this selection is to...

• inform the reader about the American Revolution

• encourage the reader to join a side (patriots or tories?)

• explain how the American Revolution started

• entertain the reader with a historical fiction story about a young boy living during the time of the American Revolution

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

What can the reader conclude about Tim's older brother Sam?

Select all that apply.

• He is brave.

• He is a coward.

• He likes to cause his parents trouble.

• He is not afraid to stand up for what he believes in.

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.1

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

What is the best summary of chapters 1-5 from My Brother Sam is Dead?

• Tim, a young boy, lives during the time period of the American Revolution. While living at home with his parents, his older brother Sam is off at college. However, everything changes when Sam joins the Minutemen militia.

• Father is upset with Sam for joining the Minutemen militia. Sam runs away from home because he is upset with Father. Sam also has a girlfriend named Betsy who he visits often.

• Tim, a young boy living during the time of the American Revolution, admires his older brother Sam. Sam just joined the Patriotic army, though his father does not approve. Tim wants to take part in helping the Tory side but it is dangerous. Tim has to make a tough decision.

• Sam is a boy who joins the army. He does not care what his parents think and wants to make a difference in the world. He believes in freedom for the American colonies. He also has a brother named Tim.

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.9

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

The text says," [Father] slammed his fist down on the table and then jerked his thumb to his chest. "I'll manage the politics in this family," he said."

Based on clues from the text, the reader can conclude that...

• Father is serious about not wanting Tim to help Mr. Heron

• Father is angry at Tim for bringing up helping Mr. Heron.

• Father is happy Tim wants to help but doesn't want him to go.

• Father is surpised that Tim wants to help Mr. Heron.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

The reader presents the story in chronological order to help the reader understand...

• how the events occurred from first to last in the text.

• to compare and contrast the patriots and the loyalists.

• to present a cause and effect relationship between Sam going into the militia and the battles fought.

• to present a problem of Sam going to the war and offer a solution to Sam going into the war.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.5

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

Which event had to occur BEFORE Sam came up with a plan to help Mr. Heron?

• Sam came home, saw Father, and left.

• Tim went to find Sam to get the Brown Bess.

• Mr. Heron came to ask Father if Tim could help him deliver "business letters"

• Jerry Sanford told Tim to come fishing with him.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

Write a complex sentence. Remember to include a subordinating conjuntion.