CLASSIFIED ADS:
Review the “Shelby County Reporter” and find the “classified ads” section. Cut out AT LEAST FOUR
different types of classified ads and glue them on the top part of this paper. On the bottom of the
paper, create your own classified ads, using the same format. Be creative! Be sure to give an asking
price (related to currency of the time period). Remember what would be available during that time
period and make sure your ads are relevant to the story and time period.
OBITUARY:
Read the obituary from the “Shelby County Reporter”. Note that family information (survivors) and
funeral information are both included. Now, create an obituary from Ichabod Crane. Include
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Dates of life (see if you can estimate this from the context clues of the story)
Accomplishments/achievements/profession
Character traits
You may include some humorous thoughts, since the author did in the story
INTERVIEW: Decide which character you are going to interview. If you select Ichabod, please make an
introductory statement in your interview article that this interview was conducted ____ days before
Ichabod “died”.
Write down at least 5 questions and answer them the way you feel the character would have. Questions
should give insight into why a character acted a certain way, specific events involving the character, etc.
Q1.
A1:
Q2:
A2:
Q3:
A3:
Q4:
A4:
Q5:
A5:
Dear Abby: Read the following examples of “Dear Abby” letters from the newspaper. Now create your own. You are to write a
letter from either Ichabod, Brom, or Katrina, requesting help with your love life. Give specifics about what is going on in the
relationship. Sign a catchy name (see examples below). After writing your letter, you are to write a reply letter from Abby,
giving her advice as to what you should do (this can be somewhat humorous).
Dear Abby:
My mother-in-law, “Bernice,” hasn’t spoken to me since her son and I were married four years ago. We got along well prior to the
wedding, but because I didn’t let her make major decisions in the wedding she stopped speaking to me. I have done everything I can to mend our
relationship — sent her letters of apology, birthday gifts, etc. — still no response.
My husband is in the middle. I have really had it with Bernice and don’t want to try to mend fences with her any longer, but my
husband is very close to his mom and wants me to keep trying.
Daughter-In-Law Dilemma
Dear Daughter-In-Law:
Your husband isn’t in the middle. His mother has been trying to push you out in left field for four years, and he is unwilling to put his
foot down and stop her.
If you’re smart, you will take the high road and continue with the gifts on special occasions. With luck, she’ll continue to ignore them
and you won’t have to tolerate her. A mother-in-law who carries a grudge and thinks her “suggestions” are ironclad is a bona fide burden.
Abby
Dear Abby:
I have two sons, 19 and 12. My younger boy has a rare form of kidney disease. His kidney function is currently normal, but his doctor
says that in the future he may need a new kidney. At that point, his brother would be high on the list for compatibility and availability. I, sadly,
would not.
How does one mention the possibility of being a donor to his older brother? Is it even fair to ask? If he doesn’t offer, would I always
resent it? Should we wait until there is a real need before asking?
Planning Ahead
In California
Dear Planning Ahead:
All families are different, and it’s a credit to yours that you’re thinking ahead regarding some of the difficult aspects related to
donation. This subject can sometimes be fraught with the potential for perceived coercion. It can be offset by NOT framing it as a “request” from
one family member, but as a general family discussion about the loved one’s health situation.
Among the issues that should be raised: What does it mean for your younger son to have this rare kidney disease? What’s the survival
rate for an adolescent who receives a living donor transplant? What is involved in the donation process?
These questions should be raised as a family in conversation with a physician or other members of the kidney care team. Family
members can then talk about how they feel about the issue, NOT as a response to a direct question. This provides a chance for better education
about the condition as well as the process, and reduces fear.
The decision to be a living donor is a voluntary one and should be entered into free of pressure. Some people may not want to take the risk — and
their rights should be respected.
The National Kidney Foundation provides information on its website regarding this subject. Visit kidney.org to learn more.
Abby
Dear Abby,
Signed:
Dear______________
FREE CHOICE:
You need to create AT LEAST one more creative aspect to add to your newspaper related to the story.
Ideas could be: menu from the local eatery (you know how Ichabod would love that!), an advertisement
for some product, a comic strip, a word puzzle with words related to the story, etc. Use the rest of this
page to create your idea.