Receive updates on new findings, programs & resources relating to the Historical Fiction Novel- My Brother Sam is Dead.
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Friday, December 16, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
My Brother Sam is Dead E-Books
My E-Books are being published by Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing.
I'm working on converting all my files that relate to My Brother Sam is Dead into e-books and will be alerting my fans of these releases via my Twitter account and my E-mail list.
The two e-books currently available at Amazon are can be found here: My Brother Sam is Dead E-books
I'm working on converting all my files that relate to My Brother Sam is Dead into e-books and will be alerting my fans of these releases via my Twitter account and my E-mail list.
The two e-books currently available at Amazon are can be found here: My Brother Sam is Dead E-books
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Guide to My Brother Sam is Dead
What's in this Guide
This CD 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 CD into two sections:
1. Guide to MBSD and
2. Teaching Resources
In the Guide to MBSD folder you will find:
1. Chapter by Chapter Summary & Analysis of My Brother Sam is Dead
This document includes a summary and analysis of the most important topics in each chapter. At the end of each chapter summary you will find classroom discussions ideas, classroom questions and a link to an online, self-grading test (test results can be emailed directly to you).
2. Real Life vs. Events Fictionalized in My Brother Sam is Dead
This document points out real life people and events vs. My Brother Sam is Dead people and events. I do this using quotes that come directly from the novel; below the quotes are the historical facts these quotes are based on.
3. My Brother Sam is Dead Maps of Redding, Connecticut
Maps of Redding, Connecticut provides a visual of the locations in the novel. Students will see:
Where Redding, Connecticut is located.
Map of Redding that relates to My Brother Sam is Dead.
Map of Westchester & Fairfield County that relates to My Brother Sam is Dead.
Modern map of people and places related to My Brother Sam is Dead in Redding.
Map of Westchester & Fairfield County with stars showing Tim and Life's cattle drive route to Verplancks Point.
Map of Lower Fairfield County showing the route the British Troops took when they raided the storage facilities at Danbury in April of 1777.
Link to an Interactive Google Map of all the locations that relate to the novel.
4. Short Summary of My Brother Sam is Dead & the Topics it Covers
This document provides a short summary of the novel's storyline and the topics that are covered in its chapters. Many teachers distribute this document to students and their parents prior to bringing the novel into their classroom.
5. Places you can Visit Related to My Brother Sam is Dead
For those within driving distance to Southwestern Connecticut, there is plenty to explore in relation to this novel. This document points out the most relevant destinations, their tie-in with the novel and how to get there.
6. The Setting of the Novel, Redding, Connecticut
Background information on Redding, Connecticut and the important role it played during the Revolutionary War.
7. The Real People Fictionalized in the Novel
Background information on each of the families and individuals fictionalized by the authors in the novel. Tim Meeker, William Heron, John Read, Jerry Sanford, Tom Warrups and many, many more…
8. Why is My Brother Sam is Dead Censored by Some Watch Groups?
Why the novel earned a Top 10 listing on the American Way's most challenged book list in 1996. My response to these challenges.
In the Teaching Resources folder you will find six sub-folders:
1. Colonial Topics Materials that provide students with visual examples of topics touched on in the novel: sleeping lofts, paper money, droving, etc…
2. Lesson Plans & Ideas Parent letters, lesson plans and examples of how others are using historical fiction novels in their classrooms. Online teaching tools and chapter quizzes are located at my History of Redding website.
3. Maps Collection of maps that relate to both My Brother Sam is Dead and the Revolutionary War.
4. My Brother Sam is Dead Topics These documents explore each of the topics that are woven into My Brother Sam is Dead's storyline.
5. Photos Collection of photos sorted by folder to show students the places relevant to My Brother Sam is Dead in the present day.
6. Revolutionary War Documents & Resources Collection of primary source and secondary source documents, and newsletters that explore a diverse range of topics.
*The contents of this CD are intended for personal and classroom usage. I have kept the information in Word document format to make it easy for parents and teachers to cut and paste the material to create their own resources and lesson plans.
The Complete Guide to the Novel is now available in Word Format: My Brother Sam is Dead Guide
This CD 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 CD into two sections:
1. Guide to MBSD and
2. Teaching Resources
In the Guide to MBSD folder you will find:
1. Chapter by Chapter Summary & Analysis of My Brother Sam is Dead
This document includes a summary and analysis of the most important topics in each chapter. At the end of each chapter summary you will find classroom discussions ideas, classroom questions and a link to an online, self-grading test (test results can be emailed directly to you).
2. Real Life vs. Events Fictionalized in My Brother Sam is Dead
This document points out real life people and events vs. My Brother Sam is Dead people and events. I do this using quotes that come directly from the novel; below the quotes are the historical facts these quotes are based on.
3. My Brother Sam is Dead Maps of Redding, Connecticut
Maps of Redding, Connecticut provides a visual of the locations in the novel. Students will see:
Where Redding, Connecticut is located.
Map of Redding that relates to My Brother Sam is Dead.
Map of Westchester & Fairfield County that relates to My Brother Sam is Dead.
Modern map of people and places related to My Brother Sam is Dead in Redding.
Map of Westchester & Fairfield County with stars showing Tim and Life's cattle drive route to Verplancks Point.
Map of Lower Fairfield County showing the route the British Troops took when they raided the storage facilities at Danbury in April of 1777.
Link to an Interactive Google Map of all the locations that relate to the novel.
4. Short Summary of My Brother Sam is Dead & the Topics it Covers
This document provides a short summary of the novel's storyline and the topics that are covered in its chapters. Many teachers distribute this document to students and their parents prior to bringing the novel into their classroom.
5. Places you can Visit Related to My Brother Sam is Dead
For those within driving distance to Southwestern Connecticut, there is plenty to explore in relation to this novel. This document points out the most relevant destinations, their tie-in with the novel and how to get there.
6. The Setting of the Novel, Redding, Connecticut
Background information on Redding, Connecticut and the important role it played during the Revolutionary War.
7. The Real People Fictionalized in the Novel
Background information on each of the families and individuals fictionalized by the authors in the novel. Tim Meeker, William Heron, John Read, Jerry Sanford, Tom Warrups and many, many more…
8. Why is My Brother Sam is Dead Censored by Some Watch Groups?
Why the novel earned a Top 10 listing on the American Way's most challenged book list in 1996. My response to these challenges.
In the Teaching Resources folder you will find six sub-folders:
1. Colonial Topics Materials that provide students with visual examples of topics touched on in the novel: sleeping lofts, paper money, droving, etc…
2. Lesson Plans & Ideas Parent letters, lesson plans and examples of how others are using historical fiction novels in their classrooms. Online teaching tools and chapter quizzes are located at my History of Redding website.
3. Maps Collection of maps that relate to both My Brother Sam is Dead and the Revolutionary War.
4. My Brother Sam is Dead Topics These documents explore each of the topics that are woven into My Brother Sam is Dead's storyline.
5. Photos Collection of photos sorted by folder to show students the places relevant to My Brother Sam is Dead in the present day.
6. Revolutionary War Documents & Resources Collection of primary source and secondary source documents, and newsletters that explore a diverse range of topics.
*The contents of this CD are intended for personal and classroom usage. I have kept the information in Word document format to make it easy for parents and teachers to cut and paste the material to create their own resources and lesson plans.
The Complete Guide to the Novel is now available in Word Format: My Brother Sam is Dead Guide
Saturday, October 10, 2009
My Brother Sam is Dead Google Map
Just posted an update Google Map showing and explaining locations relating to My Brother Sam is Dead.
This is the looooooooooong link is anyone what to link to it:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=107420212148602668064.00044a37cf9951628b5a8&ll=41.321976,-73.376741&spn=0.040932,0.090723&z=14
The Complete Guide to the Novel is now available in Word Format: My Brother Sam is Dead Guide
This is the looooooooooong link is anyone what to link to it:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=107420212148602668064.00044a37cf9951628b5a8&ll=41.321976,-73.376741&spn=0.040932,0.090723&z=14
The Complete Guide to the Novel is now available in Word Format: My Brother Sam is Dead Guide
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Upcoming Events
TEACHERHOSTEL™ - 2009
The British Invasion of 1777: The Ride of Sybil Ludington™
Date: May 16-17, 2009
Location: Danbury, Ridgefield, Westport
Contact Hours: 15
Cutoff Date: April 16, 2009
Cost: $145
Relive the ride of the teenage girl (Sybil Ludington)who succeeded during a dark and stormy night to rally the militia to assembly at the home of her father after the British burning of Danbury in 1777. Participants will retrace the steps of the invasion from the landing in Westport, to the burning of Danbury, to the ride of Sybil, to the battle at Ridgefield. The story will be told from the English and American perspectives along with the effort to uncover the truth that had been hidden among primary source documents for so long while false statements were copied from one erroneous report to another. Her story will entertain you as it informs you. Includes one book, one map, one T-shirt and curriculum materials.
Saturday (9:00-5:00) Westport and Fairfield
Westport Town Hall
9:00 Welcome and Program Overview: Peter Feinman, IHARE
9:15 The British Are Coming: British Strategy to Reconquer the Colonies: Ray Raymond, USMA and SUNY
10:30 Westport Walking Tour, Susan Gold, Westport Historical Society and Allen Raymond, Westport Municipal Historian
Westport Historical Society
11:30 The British Are Coming: A Reader’s Theater Experience, Hilary Gibson, Education Director, Westport Historical Society
12:30 Lunch
1:30 The British Invasion Bus Tour: Allen Raymond
3:00 The British Are Coming: The Fairfield Experience, Walter Matis, Educator, Fairfield Museum and History Center
Sunday (9:00-5:00)
Danbury Historical Society
9:00 The Burning of Danbury, Brigid Guertin, Danbury Historical Society
11:00 The Ride of Sybil Ludington, Vin Dacquino, author of Sybil Ludington: Call to Arms
12:00 General Tryon Danbury to Ridgefield Self Guided Drive
Ridgefield
12:30 Lunch: Dimitri’s Diner
1:30 Museum in the Streets Walking Tour, Kay Ables, Ridgefield Town Historian
2:30 The Battle of Ridgefield: George Hancock, Keeler Tavern Museum Tour
3:30 Tom Castrovinci, Re-enactor Connecticut 5th
4:00 My Brother Sam Is Dead: Teaching the British Invasion of 1777 - Brent Colley, Redding historic tours
For further information contact IHARE at 914-933-0440 or email us at: info@ihare.org
The British Invasion of 1777: The Ride of Sybil Ludington™
Date: May 16-17, 2009
Location: Danbury, Ridgefield, Westport
Contact Hours: 15
Cutoff Date: April 16, 2009
Cost: $145
Relive the ride of the teenage girl (Sybil Ludington)who succeeded during a dark and stormy night to rally the militia to assembly at the home of her father after the British burning of Danbury in 1777. Participants will retrace the steps of the invasion from the landing in Westport, to the burning of Danbury, to the ride of Sybil, to the battle at Ridgefield. The story will be told from the English and American perspectives along with the effort to uncover the truth that had been hidden among primary source documents for so long while false statements were copied from one erroneous report to another. Her story will entertain you as it informs you. Includes one book, one map, one T-shirt and curriculum materials.
Saturday (9:00-5:00) Westport and Fairfield
Westport Town Hall
9:00 Welcome and Program Overview: Peter Feinman, IHARE
9:15 The British Are Coming: British Strategy to Reconquer the Colonies: Ray Raymond, USMA and SUNY
10:30 Westport Walking Tour, Susan Gold, Westport Historical Society and Allen Raymond, Westport Municipal Historian
Westport Historical Society
11:30 The British Are Coming: A Reader’s Theater Experience, Hilary Gibson, Education Director, Westport Historical Society
12:30 Lunch
1:30 The British Invasion Bus Tour: Allen Raymond
3:00 The British Are Coming: The Fairfield Experience, Walter Matis, Educator, Fairfield Museum and History Center
Sunday (9:00-5:00)
Danbury Historical Society
9:00 The Burning of Danbury, Brigid Guertin, Danbury Historical Society
11:00 The Ride of Sybil Ludington, Vin Dacquino, author of Sybil Ludington: Call to Arms
12:00 General Tryon Danbury to Ridgefield Self Guided Drive
Ridgefield
12:30 Lunch: Dimitri’s Diner
1:30 Museum in the Streets Walking Tour, Kay Ables, Ridgefield Town Historian
2:30 The Battle of Ridgefield: George Hancock, Keeler Tavern Museum Tour
3:30 Tom Castrovinci, Re-enactor Connecticut 5th
4:00 My Brother Sam Is Dead: Teaching the British Invasion of 1777 - Brent Colley, Redding historic tours
For further information contact IHARE at 914-933-0440 or email us at: info@ihare.org
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Using Historical Fiction in the Classroom Teaching Programs
Using Historical Fiction in the Classroom Teaching Programs
This Spring/Summer I will be hosting a number of My Brother Sam is Dead Teaching Programs in Southwestern Connecticut. In these programs I will be providing information about the topics and issues My Brother Sam is Dead explores and how both teachers and students can benefit from its usage in the classroom. CD's containing all my material, maps and photos will be available at these events.
Event #1:
TEACHERHOSTEL™ - 2009
The British Invasion of 1777: The Ride of Sybil Ludington™ Date: May 16-17, 2009
Location: Danbury, Ridgefield, Westport
Cutoff Date for Registration: April 14, 2009
Cost: $145
My portion of the program is at 4PM in Ridgefield's Keeler Tavern Museum:
4:00PM My Brother Sam Is Dead: Teaching the British Invasion of 1777
Event #2:
Putnam Park School Days- May, 2009
My Brother Sam is Dead, Fact vs. Fiction
Date: May 18-21, 2009
Location: Putnam State Park, Redding, CT
Cutoff Date for Registration: April 14, 2009
9:30 AM to 2:00PM My Brother Sam Is Dead: Fact vs. Fiction, learn about the real events that were fictionalized in the novel. This event is for students and teachers. In addition to this presentation we will have camp activities, re-enactors and craftsman on hand all day to educate schools about the park and the time period it was occupied.
Contact Nancy Cowles for information and sign-up.
Event #3:
Putnam Park Filmfest- Summer 2009
See the Film Version of My Brother Sam is Dead at Putnam Park
Date: TBA
Location: Putnam State Park, Redding, CT
Cutoff Date for Registration: TBA
Come watch the film, My Brother Sam is Dead, under the stars at Putnam Park! A very unique opportunity to view this rare film at the very encampment General Putnam's troops were stationed.
Contact Brent Colley if you are interested in signing-up. We have not set a date for this yet and are open to suggestions.
This Spring/Summer I will be hosting a number of My Brother Sam is Dead Teaching Programs in Southwestern Connecticut. In these programs I will be providing information about the topics and issues My Brother Sam is Dead explores and how both teachers and students can benefit from its usage in the classroom. CD's containing all my material, maps and photos will be available at these events.
Event #1:
TEACHERHOSTEL™ - 2009
The British Invasion of 1777: The Ride of Sybil Ludington™ Date: May 16-17, 2009
Location: Danbury, Ridgefield, Westport
Cutoff Date for Registration: April 14, 2009
Cost: $145
My portion of the program is at 4PM in Ridgefield's Keeler Tavern Museum:
4:00PM My Brother Sam Is Dead: Teaching the British Invasion of 1777
Event #2:
Putnam Park School Days- May, 2009
My Brother Sam is Dead, Fact vs. Fiction
Date: May 18-21, 2009
Location: Putnam State Park, Redding, CT
Cutoff Date for Registration: April 14, 2009
9:30 AM to 2:00PM My Brother Sam Is Dead: Fact vs. Fiction, learn about the real events that were fictionalized in the novel. This event is for students and teachers. In addition to this presentation we will have camp activities, re-enactors and craftsman on hand all day to educate schools about the park and the time period it was occupied.
Contact Nancy Cowles for information and sign-up.
Event #3:
Putnam Park Filmfest- Summer 2009
See the Film Version of My Brother Sam is Dead at Putnam Park
Date: TBA
Location: Putnam State Park, Redding, CT
Cutoff Date for Registration: TBA
Come watch the film, My Brother Sam is Dead, under the stars at Putnam Park! A very unique opportunity to view this rare film at the very encampment General Putnam's troops were stationed.
Contact Brent Colley if you are interested in signing-up. We have not set a date for this yet and are open to suggestions.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Teaching with My Brother Sam is Dead
Using Primary Sources to highlight events and issues in the novel.
My Brother Sam is Dead, Chapter 12:
Tim narrating: "He looked thin and tired. There were black circles under his eyes and his uniform was torn in about six places. He'd lost his belt and was wearing a piece of rope around his waist, and his hat wasn't an army hat but just an ordinary fur cap."
The description of Sam is an accurate portrayal of a Patriot soldier in the fall of 1778; Each soldier was supposed to be provided with one uniform for the entire year and thus after twelve months of marching and fighting these uniforms were well worn and raggedy.
In 1778, the troops from Connecticut, did not receive uniforms (nor blankets!) prior to their arrival in Redding.
Petition of the Connecticut Soldiers in the Revolutionary Army, to His Excellency, Jonathan Trumbull, Governor of Connecticut. Captain Nathaniel Webb's Orderly Book, Camp Reading, Dec. 27, 1778.
"They have may it please your Excellency been promised a Blanket, & other Clothing annually from ye Continent & a Blanket from ye State every year, for each non-commissioned Officer & Soldier, those Promises have not been complied with, so far from it, that although we have not, one half ye Quota of Men this State was to raise, we assure you not less than four hundred are to this Day totally destitute, & no one has received two Blankets according to Contract, nor has more than one half of the Clothing promises ever been received or any compensation made for ye deficiency, that when they have Coats they are without Breeches, & when they are supplied with Shoes, they have neither Stockings nor Shirts, & at this Inclement Season many of our Men are suffering for want of Blankets, Shirts, Breeches, Shoes & Stockings, & some are destitute of Coats & Waistcoats."
Using Primary Sources you can really bring these issues to life for students and spark their interest in finding more examples of what is factual in this and other historical fiction novels.
For example, by exploring the year 1778 you will find it was a pivotal point in the Revolution:
In Congress, 27th May, 1778 : Establishment of the American Army. This new Army was made official in November of 1778...the same month Sam Meeker and his Regiment arrive in Redding. View primary source on this topic: http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/bdsdcc:@field(DOCID+@lit(bdsdcc04901))
In addition, France and America Become Allies in 1778. France and America formed an alliance, negotiated by Benjamin Franklin, stating that each would consider the other a "most favored nation" for trade and friendship; France would be obligated to fight for American independence; and America would be obligated to stand by France if war should occur between France and Great Britain. Within four months, France and Great Britain were at war. Spain would join France a year later. http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/alliance.html
These alliances were very important to the success of the Patriots in their fight for independence. The alliances gave the American Army- soldiers, clothing, weapons, ammunition, naval support, etc... A great angle to explore this topic is researching Jean Baptiste Rochambeau's involvement in the war. http://www.americanrevolution.com/JeanBaptisteRochambeau.htm The Library of Congress Rochambeau map collection is amazing: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/rochambeau-maps/ Rochambeau's troops marched from Rhode Island to Eastern New York where they met Washington and his troops...they all then marched to Virginia!! That in itself is amazing when you consider it takes 12+ hours in a car to drive that distance.
Classroom Activities:
View a timeline of events and key developments during the time period My Brother Sam is Dead covers (1775-1779): http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/continental/timelin2.html
Using the Library of Congress you can show students examples from each year of the war. http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/NewNation.html
These Library of Congress documents allow you to highlight key events and key people involved in the Revolution. I would suggest going one step further and exploring local sources (if you live on the East Coast) to bring the war down to a more personal level. Soldiers diaries are a great source, town records recorded in that period are another. If you don't live in an area directly related to the Revolution, I'd suggest reading Joseph Martin Plumb "Yankee Doodle Boy" edited by George F. Scheer.
Also, having just finished 1776 by David McCullough, I'd highly recommend reading it or listening to it. It is a great book that highlights the time period most of My Brother Sam is Dead focuses on. A must read for teachers in my opinion.
My Brother Sam is Dead, Chapter 12:
Tim narrating: "He looked thin and tired. There were black circles under his eyes and his uniform was torn in about six places. He'd lost his belt and was wearing a piece of rope around his waist, and his hat wasn't an army hat but just an ordinary fur cap."
The description of Sam is an accurate portrayal of a Patriot soldier in the fall of 1778; Each soldier was supposed to be provided with one uniform for the entire year and thus after twelve months of marching and fighting these uniforms were well worn and raggedy.
In 1778, the troops from Connecticut, did not receive uniforms (nor blankets!) prior to their arrival in Redding.
Petition of the Connecticut Soldiers in the Revolutionary Army, to His Excellency, Jonathan Trumbull, Governor of Connecticut. Captain Nathaniel Webb's Orderly Book, Camp Reading, Dec. 27, 1778.
"They have may it please your Excellency been promised a Blanket, & other Clothing annually from ye Continent & a Blanket from ye State every year, for each non-commissioned Officer & Soldier, those Promises have not been complied with, so far from it, that although we have not, one half ye Quota of Men this State was to raise, we assure you not less than four hundred are to this Day totally destitute, & no one has received two Blankets according to Contract, nor has more than one half of the Clothing promises ever been received or any compensation made for ye deficiency, that when they have Coats they are without Breeches, & when they are supplied with Shoes, they have neither Stockings nor Shirts, & at this Inclement Season many of our Men are suffering for want of Blankets, Shirts, Breeches, Shoes & Stockings, & some are destitute of Coats & Waistcoats."
Using Primary Sources you can really bring these issues to life for students and spark their interest in finding more examples of what is factual in this and other historical fiction novels.
For example, by exploring the year 1778 you will find it was a pivotal point in the Revolution:
In Congress, 27th May, 1778 : Establishment of the American Army. This new Army was made official in November of 1778...the same month Sam Meeker and his Regiment arrive in Redding. View primary source on this topic: http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/bdsdcc:@field(DOCID+@lit(bdsdcc04901))
In addition, France and America Become Allies in 1778. France and America formed an alliance, negotiated by Benjamin Franklin, stating that each would consider the other a "most favored nation" for trade and friendship; France would be obligated to fight for American independence; and America would be obligated to stand by France if war should occur between France and Great Britain. Within four months, France and Great Britain were at war. Spain would join France a year later. http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/alliance.html
These alliances were very important to the success of the Patriots in their fight for independence. The alliances gave the American Army- soldiers, clothing, weapons, ammunition, naval support, etc... A great angle to explore this topic is researching Jean Baptiste Rochambeau's involvement in the war. http://www.americanrevolution.com/JeanBaptisteRochambeau.htm The Library of Congress Rochambeau map collection is amazing: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/rochambeau-maps/ Rochambeau's troops marched from Rhode Island to Eastern New York where they met Washington and his troops...they all then marched to Virginia!! That in itself is amazing when you consider it takes 12+ hours in a car to drive that distance.
Classroom Activities:
View a timeline of events and key developments during the time period My Brother Sam is Dead covers (1775-1779): http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/continental/timelin2.html
Using the Library of Congress you can show students examples from each year of the war. http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/NewNation.html
These Library of Congress documents allow you to highlight key events and key people involved in the Revolution. I would suggest going one step further and exploring local sources (if you live on the East Coast) to bring the war down to a more personal level. Soldiers diaries are a great source, town records recorded in that period are another. If you don't live in an area directly related to the Revolution, I'd suggest reading Joseph Martin Plumb "Yankee Doodle Boy" edited by George F. Scheer.
Also, having just finished 1776 by David McCullough, I'd highly recommend reading it or listening to it. It is a great book that highlights the time period most of My Brother Sam is Dead focuses on. A must read for teachers in my opinion.
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