Mid-1800s in the Rocky Mountains

THE AMERICAN OLD WEST

THE WILDERNESS ROAD

In 1775, Daniel Boone blazed a trail from Virginia through the into central Kentucky.

During the nest 140 years, it was lengthened, following Native American trails, to reach the Falls of the Ohio at Louisville.

The Wilderness Road was steep and rough, and it could only be traveled to on foot or horseback.

Despite the difficult conditions, 350,000 pioneers used it in search for a better life.

HOMESTEADERS

VOCABULARYPRARIE

A wide area of flat land without trees in northern USA

COWBOYS & INDIANS

SKIMPYNot large enough

BOOST UPTo improve or increase something

CONESTOGA WAGONa large covered wagon used for long-distance travel, typically carrying pioneers in the westward migration.Origin:early 18th century: named after Conestoga, a town in Pennsylvania

VOCABULARY

CREAKED & RUMBLEDMake a long sound when it moves & to make continuous low sound

WESTWARDToward west

SAWMILLA factory where trees are cut up into pieces with machines

SCOWLTo look at someone with a very annoyed expression

VOCABULARY

1. What inferences (logical guesses) can you make about the narrator’s family?The narrator is travelling with his father and two little sisters. Because the mother is not mentioned, perhaps she has died. The family is poor.

2. What reasons does Pa give for not wanting Mary to join them?They’re out of money and almost out of food. He doesn’t want to be responsible for another person.

COMPREHENSION

TimberWood used for building

StumpsRotted

To decaySpoiled

destroyDesperate

Suffering from extreme needHe ranged through the woods with his rifle. But we

never got any dead meat. gameWild animals that are hunted for food

Grudging gift from the homesteadersunwilling

VOCABULARY

Rigged up the tarp sheetTo fix a piece of equipment in place

Tarp= heavy waterproof cloth used for coveringCreek for fishing

A stream or narrow riverPardner

Used as a informal form of address, usually between men

Plodded offTo walk taking slow step

VOCABULARY

Why do you think the narrator says “To this day I don’t care for fishing”?He doesn’t like to fish because he still remembers how hard his father tried to catch a fish and how sad and discouraged his father was when he couldn’t.

How do Pa’s words tell about him?He feels resentful and defeated and has almost given up.

COMPREHENSION

What is the family’s worst problem? What is Pa’s plan to solve it?They are running out of food; Pa plans to find his uncle in town & get some food.

THINK IT THROUGH

MoldyBad

RacketUnpleasant loud continuous noise

Pitch-dark (line 95)Extremely dark

WhipI got plumb lost (line 100)

Completely lost

VOCABULARY

ClearingAn area in a wood or forest from which trees and bushes have been removed

GrubFood

HuddledStanding or sitting close together

Dried outBeing independent

VOCABULARY

Never saw hide nor hair (line 116)Not to see someone at all at a period of time

DampSlightly wet

HeftWeigh

Pound = 454 grams

VOCABULARY

Why is the loss of the horse so important?The horse is useful and worth a lot of money. The family could not easily replace it. If things go badly, the horse may also keep the family from starving to death. To the narrator, the horse stands for the trust his father placed in him.

COMPREHENSION

Do you agree with the narrator that 11 years old is too old to cry? Why or why not?

COMPREHENSION

The family’s situation has changed. How has it gotten worse?The family has run out of food, and Pa has not returned.

THINK IT THROUGH

I growled. (line 150)She was holding the can with the porcupine

grease. (line 153)I endured the smell of the mushroom frying

as long as I could.put up with

I was so scared that my stomach heaved. (line 182)

Savoring lifeEnjoying & appreciating fully

VOCABULARY 4

What do Mary’s actions show about her?She is brave, self-sacrificing, responsible, caring.

THINK IT THROUGH

I answered gruffly, “I don’t know.” (line 207)Not saying too much

Looking out at the dripping world (line 209)Wet weather

My father came plunging out of the woodsWalking sedately

In slow, dignified way

VOCABULARY 5

What does the last line of the story tell you?Pa & Mary eventually get married.What can you infer, or figure out, about Mary’s

character? What clues tell you this?She is strong, brave, & independence person

who stands up for herself & cares about others.In what ways does Mary show the toughness

necessary for pioneer life?She has survived whippings, can cook, and is

physically strong enough for hard life; she faces death to feed the children.

THINK IT THROUGH

CHARACTERS

Main Characte

rs

Minor Characte

rs

LITERATURE: CHARACTERS

People, animals, imaginary creatures that take part in the

action of a story.

•A story usually focuses on events in the life of one or more characters.•Dynamic, change,•Grow in some way

•Less important characters•Interact with the main characters•Static, they change little

PO

MASTER SHI FU

THE FURIOUS FIVE: tigress, mantis, viper, crane, monkey

KUNGFU PANDAWrite the name of a storyIdentify the charactersClassify as main or minorDynamic or staticDescribe each character: appearance &

personalityGive reasons for their answers

Who are the main characters?Mary & the narratorWhat do you learn about Mary?Mary is strong, brave, determined, and hard

working. She has not had an easy life.

THINK IT THROUGH