Carry On, Mr. Bowditch Study Guide (Grades 5-8)

NEWBERY MEDAL WINNER 1956 Nathaniel Bowditch loves to work with numbers. School is Nat's favorite time. Unfortunately Nat must give up his dream to go to Harvard when he must quit school to work for his father. Later, he becomes an indentured servant, working in a ship's chandlery. In spite of his situation, Nat continues his education by teaching himself, working all day in the chandlery and in the evenings he fills his notebooks with everything he wants to learn. Nat's diligence pays off. When Nat's nine-year indenture is through, he is given the opportunity to go to sea where the things he has learned may be put to use. Sailing is dangerous, not only because of enemies on the high seas, but because - Nat discovers - many of the books and tables sailors use for navigation have errors - errors that cost lives. With the same diligence he used to teach himself, Nat begins to compile information for a new book to correct these errors and give every sailor knowledge of navigation. Through Jean Lee Latham's thrilling biography, students will learn: About the Author and Illustrator: Learn about Jean Lee Latham and John O'Hara Cosgrave II. Background: Sailing ships. Vocabulary words used throughout the novel, utilizing a variety of activities to stimulate retention and growth. Literary Techniques: Synonyms, characterization, foreshadow, in context, antonyms, expressions.  Moral Lessons and Character Values:  God is our anchor, the Lord is our help, perseverance, God's plans, encouragement, grief, Golden Rule, accomplishments, diligence. Activities and Writing Assignments: Mapping, indentured servants/slavery, Harvard, Bible study, writing, astronomy, French Revolution, research. Suggestions for Further Reading:  We include a wonderful reading list of more books by the same author(s) and other books that tie in with, or are similar to, Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham. All of the unit lessons are written from a Christian worldview! Features: Large 8.5x11 format is convenient to read and easy on the eyes Every question has plenty of whitespace for student’s answers Encourages neat and clean handwriting practice Easily transports without the need for a laptop or other expensive equipment Provides a permanent record of the student’s work Convenient, removable answer key included for the teacher! Recommended Grade Level: 5-8 Setting: 1700s Massachusetts, USA For the Book By: Gene Lee Latham   Paperback, ISBN 9781586093341, SKU 1091425