SARAH PLAIN and TALL by Patricia MacLachlan
1.
Interesting Words: wretched, prairie, feisty, harshly
Extensions: Students write about their birth
Students write a letter of introduction
Discussion Questions:
How does Anna feel about Caleb?
Why do you think Caleb misses the singing?
If you were Anna or Caleb how would you feel about Sarah Elisabeth Wheaton?
2.
Interesting Words: pesky, shingles, pitchfork
Extensions: Students create a map or a travel brochure
Create a Thinking Map comparing Maine home and the prairie home
Provide books about birds and fish / write mini report
Discussion Questions:
What do we know about Sarah based on the letters she writes?
In Sarah's last line to Jacob she writes, "Tell them I sing." Why is this so important to the overall story?
How do you think Sarah will adjust without the sea?
3.
Interesting Words: suspenders, gophers, woodchucks, clattered
Extensions: Students research Indian Paintbrush and other wildflowers native to the prairie and paint a scene from the story
Discussion Questions:
Sarah sees vibrant colors when she arrives. How do the prairie colors compare with the colors of her home in Maine?
Sarah and Papa have different opinions about where Seal will sleep. What would have happened if Papa had insisted that Seal sleep out in the barn?
What happens that makes Anna feel that Sarah already misses her home?
4.
Interesting Words:
Extensions: Students will research other words that mean, "Yes."
Students will view assorted shells / research shells mentioned
Discussion Questions:
Why are Anna and Caleb constantly watching for reactions from Sarah?
What does Sarah do while cutting Papa's and Caleb's hair that leads them to hope that Sarah might stay?
5.
Interesting Words: mica
Extensions: Sarah is always drawing. Students will draw, paint, or charcoal, sheep, windmill or prairie
Discussion Questions:
What is Sarah's reaction to meeting the sheep?
How do you know that finding the dead sheep upsets Sarah?
Why did Papa make a dune of hay? What is Sarah's reaction?
6.
Interesting Words: gullies, collapsed, petticoat
Extensions: Students will experiment with Sink and Float
Students will write about a happy dream
Discussion Questions:
Why does Sarah want to know about winter?
Why do Anna and Caleb only attend school during the winter?
Why didn't Caleb know how to swim?
7.
Interesting Words:
Extensions: Students will learn about wildflowers
Students will search for dandelions on the school grounds
Discussion Questions:
What is the significance of the flowers in Sarah's braids?
Why are Matthew and Maggie coming to the farm?
How does Anna know that Sarah will not eat the chickens?
What advice does Maggie give to Sarah? Do you believe that Maggie's advice will help Sarah?
8.
Interesting Words: overalls, weary, squall, hail, pungent
Extensions: Students will learn about severe weather / research
Discussion Questions:
Sarah insists on learning to ride a horse and drive the wagon. How do you think this will effect her relationship with Papa?
What did Sarah choose to save during the squall? Why?
What happened during the squall that made Caleb smile and smile...
9.
Interesting Words: reins, scuttling
Extensions: Students will put on a skit of their favorite part of the book
Students will create a diorama of a scene from the book
Students will make a shopping list of items that could be purchased from the prairie town near their farm.
Discussion Questions:
Anna and Caleb fear Sarah's trip to town. What does Caleb threaten to do to keep Sarah on the farm?
Why do you think Sarah is heading to town?
Do you think she will stay on the farm with this little family?
Of the items Sarah purchased in town, which do you think will be the most valued by the family? Why?
Were you pleased with the conclusion of this story? What do you think happens next?
1.
Interesting Words: wretched, prairie, feisty, harshly
Extensions: Students write about their birth
Students write a letter of introduction
Discussion Questions:
How does Anna feel about Caleb?
Why do you think Caleb misses the singing?
If you were Anna or Caleb how would you feel about Sarah Elisabeth Wheaton?
2.
Interesting Words: pesky, shingles, pitchfork
Extensions: Students create a map or a travel brochure
Create a Thinking Map comparing Maine home and the prairie home
Provide books about birds and fish / write mini report
Discussion Questions:
What do we know about Sarah based on the letters she writes?
In Sarah's last line to Jacob she writes, "Tell them I sing." Why is this so important to the overall story?
How do you think Sarah will adjust without the sea?
3.
Interesting Words: suspenders, gophers, woodchucks, clattered
Extensions: Students research Indian Paintbrush and other wildflowers native to the prairie and paint a scene from the story
Discussion Questions:
Sarah sees vibrant colors when she arrives. How do the prairie colors compare with the colors of her home in Maine?
Sarah and Papa have different opinions about where Seal will sleep. What would have happened if Papa had insisted that Seal sleep out in the barn?
What happens that makes Anna feel that Sarah already misses her home?
4.
Interesting Words:
Extensions: Students will research other words that mean, "Yes."
Students will view assorted shells / research shells mentioned
Discussion Questions:
Why are Anna and Caleb constantly watching for reactions from Sarah?
What does Sarah do while cutting Papa's and Caleb's hair that leads them to hope that Sarah might stay?
5.
Interesting Words: mica
Extensions: Sarah is always drawing. Students will draw, paint, or charcoal, sheep, windmill or prairie
Discussion Questions:
What is Sarah's reaction to meeting the sheep?
How do you know that finding the dead sheep upsets Sarah?
Why did Papa make a dune of hay? What is Sarah's reaction?
6.
Interesting Words: gullies, collapsed, petticoat
Extensions: Students will experiment with Sink and Float
Students will write about a happy dream
Discussion Questions:
Why does Sarah want to know about winter?
Why do Anna and Caleb only attend school during the winter?
Why didn't Caleb know how to swim?
7.
Interesting Words:
Extensions: Students will learn about wildflowers
Students will search for dandelions on the school grounds
Discussion Questions:
What is the significance of the flowers in Sarah's braids?
Why are Matthew and Maggie coming to the farm?
How does Anna know that Sarah will not eat the chickens?
What advice does Maggie give to Sarah? Do you believe that Maggie's advice will help Sarah?
8.
Interesting Words: overalls, weary, squall, hail, pungent
Extensions: Students will learn about severe weather / research
Discussion Questions:
Sarah insists on learning to ride a horse and drive the wagon. How do you think this will effect her relationship with Papa?
What did Sarah choose to save during the squall? Why?
What happened during the squall that made Caleb smile and smile...
9.
Interesting Words: reins, scuttling
Extensions: Students will put on a skit of their favorite part of the book
Students will create a diorama of a scene from the book
Students will make a shopping list of items that could be purchased from the prairie town near their farm.
Discussion Questions:
Anna and Caleb fear Sarah's trip to town. What does Caleb threaten to do to keep Sarah on the farm?
Why do you think Sarah is heading to town?
Do you think she will stay on the farm with this little family?
Of the items Sarah purchased in town, which do you think will be the most valued by the family? Why?
Were you pleased with the conclusion of this story? What do you think happens next?
