Discussion Topics for Chapter Two of My Brother Sam is Dead

My Brother Sam is Dead Chapter II: 

Tim provides background information about his town, neighborhood and religion at the onset of chapter two.

Tim: "Redding was divided into two-parts: Redding Center and Redding Ridge"

• you can discuss Redding, Connecticut - where is it and why it was divided in two parts (Anglicans and Presbyterians).

Tim: "Church was practically the only time we ever saw some of the farmers from farther out in the parish - places like Umpawaug. They wanted to keep up with the news…"

• you can discuss how information was shared in colonial times and how these methods led to biased opinions on very important issues.
• you can also discuss Religion in colonial times.

Sam: "This is Tory Country. Father, Mr. Beach, the Lyons, the Couches - most of them in our church are Tories. And they think it's the same everywhere, but it isn't."

• you can discuss how a township could gain a reputation for being "Tory Country".
• you can also discuss who Tories or Loyalists were and why they were opposed to the rebellion, what they endured, etc...

The most important comment Tim makes in chapter two is "What kept confusing me about it was that the argument didn't have two sides the way an argument should, but about six sides." Tim is speaking of "opinions" people had of the British government's policies following the French and Indian War. These new policies hampered America's economic and geographical growth via:

• Taxes
• Trade restrictions
• The Presence of British troops in America (and cost of having them here)
• British efforts to prevent westward expansion of the colonies
• The Political corruption of Royal Governors

The anger over these policies had reached a boiling point and as Tim states: "..it wasn't going to be just arguments anymore." The reason Tim's comment is so important is that the debate over rebellion was a complex topic with many sides that needed to be examined and decided on by the American colonists prior to a rebellion. Issues like: economics, government, religion, and safety in the American Colonies should they gain Independence from Great Britain were very important questions that really did not have answers before the events at Lexington and Concord thrust the American citizens into war with the British.

Below are some examples of the loyalist's concerns regarding the rebellion:

• The British Army was powerful and experienced. Many men, 40 years of age or older, had fought along side the British soldiers in the French and Indian War. They had experienced, first-hand, the skill and tenacity of the enemy.
  
• Land to the West of the Appalachian Mountains was occupied by Indians, the Spanish and the French, not Americans. Would the colonists be able to defend themselves from attacks from any one of them without the assistance of the British Army?
  
• Successful businesses and merchants worried that if America split from England they would be at risk of losing their prosperity. Tobacco farmers are an example of those who actually did suffer as a result of the American Revolution.
  
• Without a plan for self-government in place how would the colonies function politically?

For more chapter discussion topics from My Brother Sam is Dead, visit:
http://mybrothersamisdead.historyofredding.com/my-brother-sam-is-dead-chapters.htm

I will continue to provide free samples of my content at the above link, but for those who wish to have access to all I know, I have created a Dropbox account that has everything I have ever created for the novel. It's AWESOME! I promise. :)

My Dropbook Sign up is hosted by FastSpring.com & linked to my company: Colley Web Services, LLC. Access is $12.99.If you type in the code: REDDINGRIDGE you get it for $8.99.

Summary of My Brother Sam

Back to School Special-

Until September 10th, my Chapter by Chapter Summary of My Brother Sam is Dead is just $2.00!!

This Chapter by Chapter Summary & Analysis of the historical fiction novel: My Brother Sam is Dead- Includes classroom discussion ideas and sample questions for students. 

I walk you through each and every chapter of the novel pointing out what's important and why the authors included it in that chapter.

Example text:

Chapter 7: Summary and Analysis
The summer of 1776 has ended and Tim's family begins preparing for the winter months in Chapter Seven. The war is still distant and though no one is really desperate, provisions, like cloth and leather, are running short locally because the soldiers need them for clothing and shoes. Sam has sent two letters and Susannah plans on sending one back to him. Life disapproves but to Tim's delight is overruled and turns his attention to planning his annual cattle run to the Hudson River.

The cattle run to Verplancks is essential to Tim's family, as he explains: 

Tim: "The idea of our trip was to drive cattle to Verplancks Point where we could sell them, and then use the money to buy supplies we needed at the tavern and store." 

A cattle run across Westchester County was dangerous and Life, knew it: 

Life: "The woods are full of those cow-boys over there. They claim they're patriots gathering beef for the troops, but really they're nothing more than thieves. And we don't have our gun anymore." 

Despite the danger, Life doesn't have much of a choice but to take Tim with him, as he states: "There's nobody else to do it."

Bonus Material included free-

Background material on each of the families and individuals fictionalized by the authors in the novel. Tim Meeker, William Heron, John Read, Jerry Sanford, Tom Warrup, and many, many more. Find out who is real and who is fictional in the novel.

But you must hurry, this is a back to school offer that shouldn't be missed-

Until September 10th, my Chapter by Chapter Summary of My Brother Sam is Dead is just $2.00!!

Complete Guide to My Brother Sam is Dead E-book

Last night I posted my latest e-book in the Guide to My Brother Sam is Dead series.

Complete Guide to My Brother Sam is Dead E-book

This e-book was created to help parents and teachers better understand the topics woven into each chapter of the fictional history novel, My Brother Sam is Dead, and provide them with the resources needed to effectively teach it in their classrooms.

I have broken out this e-book into two sections: Guide to MBSD and Teaching Resources.

In the Guide to MBSD section you will find:

Chapter One- Chapter by Chapter Summary & Analysis of My Brother Sam is Dead

Chapter Two- Real Life vs. Events Fictionalized in My Brother Sam is Dead

Chapter Three- My Brother Sam is Dead Maps of Redding, Connecticut

Chapter Four- Short Summary of My Brother Sam is Dead & the Topics it covers

Chapter Five- Places you can Visit Related to My Brother Sam is Dead

Chapter Six- The Setting of the Novel- Redding, Connecticut

Chapter Seven- The Real People Fictionalized in the Novel

Chapter Eight- Why is My Brother Sam is Dead Censored by Some Watch Groups?

In the Teaching Resources section you will find:

Chapter One- Lesson Plans & Ideas
Lesson plans and examples of how others are using historical fiction novels in their classrooms.

Chapter Two- My Brother Sam is Dead Teaching Resources
Suggested reading materials, online resources and links to online, self-grading tests for each chapter of the book (test results can be emailed directly to you).

Complete Guide to My Brother Sam is Dead E-book