Wednesday, December 14, 2011
June 30, 1806
Despite the warnings that they should fear the Blackfeet Indians of the area, Captain Lewis was determined to explore the source of Maria's River. Why do you think he was so determined to do so?
June 3, 1806
On page 254, Seaman, while discussing Captain Clark's medical skills, says, "He did the best he could, but admitted that often he really wasn't doing much for their afflictions."
What do you think an affliction is? What makes you think that?
What do you think an affliction is? What makes you think that?
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
March 22, 1806
Why are the Chinook Indians being so troublesome toward the expedition? Why are the men in the expedition treating these Indians differently than they have any other tribe?
February 17, 1806
Based on the thoughts he shared in this chapter, what are Seaman's concerns about Captain Lewis returning home? How does Seaman see himself as a different dog now compared to earlier in his life?
February 17, 1806
Why do you suppose that only Seaman is able to see White Feather? Before you respond, please reread pages 232-233 and page 247. Be sure to explain yourself thoroughly.
Thought and Effort
I find that I am disappointed with the quality of many of your responses lately. However, when I ask you to reread a section and think more deeply about your responses, the quality improves dramatically. Why can't we do this the first time around? I think you all should make a habit of rereading relevant sections on your own before you respond.
Having said this, I'd like all of you to revisit each of yesterday's questions to improve upon your work, rereading to help you do this.
Monday, December 12, 2011
September 22, 1805
On page 237, Seaman tells us, "It was a wild ride, but all of our canoes made it through unscathed, much to the disappointment of some of the Indians waiting below."
What do you think "unscathed" means?
September 22, 1805
Even though the men were floating with the current now, instead of against it, travel became quite difficult for them. Why?
September 22, 1805
What role did Watkuweis play when Captain Lewis and his men arrived at the Nez Perce camp?
September 18, 1805
Please find an interesting piece of information about camas root and share your learning by commenting on this post.
September 18, 1805
Please reread the paragraph on page 222 that begins with "I was pondering..."
What do you think it means to "gesticulate?"
Sunday, December 11, 2011
September 16, 1805
As the winter weather gets worse, and the men and horses grow weaker from lack of food, Captains Lewis and Clark devise a plan to deal with their desperate situation. What is your understanding of that plan?
September 11, 1805
On page 214, Seaman notes, "Swathed in blankets and furs, they plodded ahead in hungry silence, knowing if they stopped moving the cold would consume them." What do you think "swathed" means?
September 11, 1805
Even though the Nez Perce reacted amiably, they did not want to help guide the Lewis and Clark expedition through the mountains. Why?
Why did Captain Lewis desire their help?
August 17, 1805
What do you think put the Shoshones at ease and calmed their fears about the white men?
August 17, 1805
This chapter seems to clear up and explain why the Shoshone had been so wary and suspicious of Captain Lewis and his crew, especially in the excerpt from Captain Lewis's journal. What is your understanding of the reasons for this wariness and suspicion?
Saturday, December 10, 2011
August 15, 1805
Why do you think Captain Lewis orchestrated the ruse about the note with Drouillard?
August 15, 1805
Why do you think the Shoshones were so suspicious and distrustful of the men in the Lewis and Clark party?
August 15, 1805
When Chief Cameahwait agreed to lend the Lewis and Clark expedition thirty horses (page 191), he also "...consented to lead us there and lend a hand." What do you think it means to "consent" to something?
August 15, 1805
On page 190, Seaman observes that "The Shoshone are a handsome people, although somewhat gaunt from lack of food." Based on this context, what do you think "gaunt" means?
August 8, 1805
Why do you think Captain Lewis thought it was a good idea to keep saying "tab-ba-bone" to any Shoshones he encountered?
Thursday, December 8, 2011
July 31, 1805
What do you make of the conversation between Charbonneau and Captain Lewis? It seemed a little suspicious to me. What was Charbonneau after? Did he have an ulterior motive?
July 30, 1805
When Bird Woman recounted the story of her abduction by the Hidatsas, on page 170, she explained how they killed most of her people, but "The young women, like me, were spared." Why do you think only the young women were spared?
July 30, 1805
Why do you think Charbonneau was "having an argument with Bird Woman, although she was nowhere in sight"?
Seaman pointed out that "This was not unusual. During the journey I had seen nearly all the men have these one-sided conversations." Why do you suppose this was a common occurrence?
Seaman pointed out that "This was not unusual. During the journey I had seen nearly all the men have these one-sided conversations." Why do you suppose this was a common occurrence?
July 19, 1805
On page 166, Captain Clark says to Captain Lewis, "I said my feet will be fine, Merriwether! I will not be coddled."
What do you think it means to "coddle" someone? Why do you think this?
What do you think it means to "coddle" someone? Why do you think this?
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
July 15, 1805
July 15, 1805
On page 161, Seaman explains, "Late that afternoon we got a good look at the Rockies, and it was a sobering sight."
In this context, what do you think "sobering" means? Why do you think that?
In this context, what do you think "sobering" means? Why do you think that?
July 8, 1805
Why do you think Drouillard followed Captain Lewis and Seaman on their ramble that day?
July 8, 1805
On page 157, during his tirade against himself, Captain Lewis says, "You delayed the party by two weeks. Those two wasted weeks just might kill every man!" What do you think he meant by that?
July 4, 1805
At this stage in the journey, as the party waits for Captain Lewis to finish the new boat, Captain Lewis is growing somewhat worried. As they wait, what are his primary worries or concerns at this point?
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
June 16, 1805
The word "portage" has been used several times in this story, most recently on page 147, where it says, "The captains spent the evening in the lodge tending to Bird Woman and discussing how to make the sixteen-mile portage around the falls."
What do you think "portage" means?
What do you think "portage" means?
June 14, 1805
At the end of this chapter, Seaman thinks, "I think this was among the happiest days the Captain ever had." Why do you suppose Seaman felt that way?
June 13, 1805
How did Seaman's recounting (click for definition) of this day's events explain what Colter and Drouillard wondered about after the fact, in the future?
June 9, 1805
When Captain Lewis was ill, why do you think he did not want Captain Clark's help?
This question adapted from Sebastian's idea. Thanks, Sebastian.
This question adapted from Sebastian's idea. Thanks, Sebastian.
June 9, 1805
In Captain Lewis's journal entry, he wrote, "We also left a cache of supplies there." What do you think "cache" means?
Sunday, December 4, 2011
June 3, 1805
Why, at this stage of the expedition, was it so important for the captains to determine which fork of the river was the Missouri?
May 26, 1805
On page 126, Seaman says, "...I didn't hear the buffalo swim across the river, clamber over the white pirogue, smash York's rifle, and damage the blunderbusses."
What do you think "clamber" means?
May 14, 1805
On page 118, Seaman describes the boat as "leaden." What do you think "leaden" means in this context?
Saturday, December 3, 2011
March 30, 1805
At this point in the story, do you think it was wise for the captains to accept Charbonneau back in the expedition? Do you think he will stay with them? Please explain why you think what you do.
February 11, 1805
On page 99, Seaman said, "As best I could figure out between curses, Bird Woman wanted to go home to her family below the big mountains and could not believe Charbonneau's arrogance had ruined this prospect."
How do you interpret the part about "Charbonneau's arrogance had ruined this prospect."?
How do you interpret the part about "Charbonneau's arrogance had ruined this prospect."?
January 12, 1805
Seaman is confused at the end of this chapter, because the men in camp are making battle-axes to trade with the Indians, while at the same time, the captains were trying to get the Indians to stop warring with each other. What do you make of this situation? Was this the right thing to do?
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Winter among the Mandan
Please read this short article: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lewisandclark/journey_leg_5.html.
December 3, 1804
What did Seaman discern about Sacagawea at the end of this section that nobody else seemed to realize?
December 3, 1804
Ultimately, why did Lewis and Clark decide to hire Toussaint Charbonneau, despite the fact that he greatly annoyed Captain Lewis when they first met? Do you think they made a good decision? Why or why not?
October 26, 1804
Do you understand the shift in setting on pages 83 and 84? Please explain what you think is going on here in terms of the story.
October 22, 1804
As I read this section, I wondered how and why Private Newman was so easily swayed by Private Reed to buy into his beliefs and ideas, and then, seemingly just as quickly, recanted what he said and stopped listening to Reed. Why do you think Newman reacted this way (both before and after)? What do you think this says about him?
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
September 24, 1804
Based on the interactions with the Tetons in this chapter, what might you anticipate the relations between the Tetons and the Lewis and Clark expedition might be like?
Considering that "there was not a sliver of trust between our two tribes," why do you suppose the Tetons invited the captains to their village?
Considering that "there was not a sliver of trust between our two tribes," why do you suppose the Tetons invited the captains to their village?
September 24, 1804
Page 72: "The three main chiefs -- Black Buffalo, the Partisan, and Buffalo Medicine -- stared with surly indifference at the gifts they had been given."
What do you think this means?
What do you think this means?
Sunday, November 27, 2011
August 27, 1804
Please reread the last full paragraph on page 65. What do you think "revulsion" means?
August 27, 1804
Captain Lewis often (most recently on page 64) invites Indians to parley with the crew of the expedition. What do you think it means to "parley?"
August 15,1804
Why do you think the penalties for crimes against the expedition are so harsh? Why do you think Captain Lewis said that "desertion is our most serious offense"?
August 2, 1804
Try to put yourself in the place of the Oto Indians. How do you think you would have felt about the message of Captain Lewis's speech? Why would you have felt that way?
Friday, November 25, 2011
August 1, 1804
Continuing on page 37, Seaman says, "They threw out piles of perfectly good food, entrails mostly, that were more than enough to slake my appetite."
Using context clues, what do you think "slake" means?
August 1, 1804
On page 37, Seaman says, "The dearth of meat did not affect me, because there were certain parts of the animals the men refused to eat."
Using context clues, what do you think "dearth" means?
Using context clues, what do you think "dearth" means?
July 10, 1804
How did you interpret what Private Reed was suggesting to Private Newman? What do you think he was planning (or hoping) to do?
July 4, 1804
What did you think of the punishment Collins and Hall received for their transgressions?
Click here for a definition of "transgression."
Click here for a definition of "transgression."
Monday, November 21, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
May 23, 1804
Up to this point in the story, how are you finding it different with the story being told from a dog's point of view? How do you expect this to influence the telling of the story as you read on? Please cite specific examples from the text to support your thinking for the first question.
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