1.
Introduction
Welcome
to New York in August of 1776. The colonies have recently declared
their independence from Great Britain. General George Washington
has brought the American army to New York to defend the city against capture
by the British.
| Teacher Resources | Student Worksheet | Field Trip |
Answer Sheet for Student Activity
1.
2. Accurate
details may include:
Actual People: General George Washington, General Cornwallis, Major Mordecai
Gist
Actual Places: New York, Gowanus Creek, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Governors
Island
Other Accurate Details: slavery, flour mill, soldiers retreated through
the swamps, rain
storm, use of small boats to cross East River under cover of fog, War of
Independence
Additional Teacher Resources
| Samuel's Choice by Richard Berleth. Morton Grove: Whitman, 1990. |
| "Samuel's Choice" from Celebrate Reading (Anthology C). Glenview, IL: Scott Foresman, 1997. |
| http:www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ranch/9198/revwar/longisle.htm |
| http:www.lihistory.com/4/gbatt28l.htm |
Student Worksheet
Using the sites you visited, answer the following questions.
1. Stories that are historical fiction take place in the past, contain accurate historical details, and often include real people and places. In the story Samuel's Choice, the following places are mentioned: Gowanus Creek, Brooklyn, Heights of Brooklyn (Brooklyn Heights), East River, Manhattan (Island), and Governors Island. Using the map site to help you, highlight these places on the map on your worksheet.
2.
Give at least five examples of accurate historical details that were included
in the story Samuel's Choice. Use both sites to help you determine
which details in the story are historically accurate.
Samuel's Choice, a book by Richard Berleth, is an example of historical fiction. The story is about a slave named Samuel, who lives in New York during the time of the American Revolution. Samuel doubts that this revolution will free him from slavery, so he doesn't feel any real connection to what is going on. However, as the story unfolds, Samuel makes a choice, and daringly helps General Washington's army to escape across the Hudson River during the Battle of Long Island. Samuel then becomes a free man when his master is arrested for helping the British.
Activity One: Read Richard Berleth's story, Samuel's Choice.
Activity Two:
Click on the soldier to learn more about the Battle of Long Island.
 |
Click on the map to see the area where the Battle of Long Island took place.
