Activities written by Jennifer Wirthwein
Gifted Education, Washington Public Schools.
Elementary :
1.
Discussion: Field encouraged many children to read. Who is someone who has encouraged you to read? What are some of your favorite stories? Why?
2.
Eugene Field was a poet. Make a Venn Diagram or T-Chart and compare him to another poet that you have studied. Share your results with the class.
3.
Using newspapers, find words that describe how you feel about reading.
Carefully cut them out and glue them to a piece of paper. Use pictures from the newspaper as illustrations. Display your work.
Standards Addressed : Goal 1:1, 1:6, 1:8, 2:1, 2:3, 2:5, 4:1, CA1, CA2, CA4, CA6, SS6
Middle School :
1.
Discussion: Mr. Field was a great collector of books. What books do you have in your collection? What books would you like to have in your collection?
2.
Eugene Field strongly believed in hardback books. What are some advantages and disadvantages of hardback books? Of paperback books? Create a list of pros and cons for each. Share your results with the class.
3.
Field wrote poetry about his friends and experiences. Write a poem about your best friend.
4.
Using the internet or local library, locate an example of work from Eugene Field.
Using your best dramatic or theatrical voice, share an excerpt of his writing with the class.
Standards Addressed : Goal 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:8, 2:1, 2:3, 2:4, 3:6, 4:1, CA1, CA2,
CA4, CA5, CA6
High School :
1.
Discussion: Do you agree or disagree with the statement “a book that is worth reading is surely worth keeping?” Defend your viewpoint in a classroom discussion. Consider factors such as durability, portability, cost, repairs, availability, etc.
2.
Eugene Field had newspaper columns with catchy titles such as “Odds and Ends” and “Sharps and Flats.” If you had a newspaper column, what would the title be and why? Write a sample of your newspaper column to share with your classmates.

3.
Create a poster that encourages children to read. You may wish to feature a certain author or book, or simply encourage the positive aspects of reading.
When you are finished, donate your poster to an elementary or middle school teacher to display.
Standards Addressed : Goal 1:1, 1:4, 1:8, 1:10, 2:1, 2:3, 3:1, 3:6, 3:8, 4:1, CA1, CA4,
CA6, FA1
Elementary :
1.
Discussion: Mark Twain enjoyed his travels on the Mississippi River. Have you ever ridden on a boat? Discuss your experiences with the class.
2.
“The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” is a popular story. Listen to the story and re-enact your favorite part with a partner.
3.
Mark Twain was a pen name for Samuel Clemens. Pretend you are a famous writer. What would your pen name be? Why?
Standards Addressed : Goal 1:1, 1:5, 1:10, 2:1, 2:3, 2:4, 4:8, CA1, CA2, CA6, FA1
Middle School :
1.
Discussion: Mark Twain described his childhood as “a mixture of simple and often mischievous pleasure.” What are some simple pleasures that you remember from childhood?
2.
Do you believe the story of “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras
County?” Write a short essay to compare and contrast it with another story.
3.
Twain was a traveler of the Mississippi River and was credited with being a great observer. Imagine you are Twain and create a travel guide to encourage others to take the journey.
Standards Addressed : Goal 1: 1, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, 2:1, 4:1, CA1, CA2,
CA4, CA5, CA6, CA7, SC3
High School :
1.
Discussion: Mark Twain is credited with having a great imagination. Albert
Einstein is quoted as saying “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
Do you agree or disagree with this quote? Why?
2.
Mark Twain wrote about sites along the river from St. Louis to Mexico. Research the types of plants and animals that he may have seen during that time period and create a poster with your findings.
3.
Mark Twain was a pen name for Samuel Clemens. Each person in your class will give him or herself a pen name and write a brief paragraph about their traveling experiences. Your classmates will try to match the pen name to the real identity.
Standards Addressed : Goal 1:1, 1:4, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:10, 2:1, 2:3, 2:7, 3:5, 4:1, CA1,
CA3, CA4, CA6, SC3, SC4, SS2

Elementary :
1.
Discussion: Joseph Charless is considered a hero because he was the first to publish a newspaper in Missouri. What does it mean to be a hero? Who is your hero and why?
2.
Newspapers are an important part of society. People rely on them for world news, local news, weather, entertainment, recipes, sporting updates, etc. Pretend you are a reporter and write a story that you think will be helpful to your community.
3.
Joseph Charless had many jobs. What is a job that you would like to have when you grow up? Draw a picture of what you will look like when you have that job.
Standards Addressed : Goal 1:1, 1:6, 1:10, 2:1, 2:3, 2:5, 4:1, 4:8, CA1, CA4, CA6
Middle School :
1.
Discussion: Do you think Joseph Charless deserves to be considered a hero for establishing the first newspaper in Missouri? Why or why not?
2.
Research the Ramage hand-operated press. Create a poster with eight to 10 facts and three illustrations to share with your class.
3.
Newspapers have a vital place in our society. Write a brief essay which highlights three to five reasons why newspapers are important.
Standards Addressed : Goal 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, 1:5, 1:8, 2:1, 2:3, 4:1, CA1, CA3, CA4, CA6,
SC8
High School :
1.
Discussion: Do you feel families still rely on newspapers now as much as they did in the 1800s? Why or why not?
2.
What are some advantages and disadvantages of receiving news from radio and television? Illustrate your answers using a T-Chart.
3.
Joseph Charless tried many professions and was very happy with what he did, although he did not make much money. Write a brief essay describing what future career you think would make you happy and why.
Standards Addressed : Goal 1:1, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, 2:1, 2:3, 3:5, 4:1, 4:8, CA1, CA3,
CA4, CA6, SS2, SS4
Elementary :
1.
Discussion: Mr. Switzler felt newspapers served as teachers for the people. What are some things you can learn from the newspaper?
2.
William Switzler helped Columbia, Missouri gain its first public library. List three important rules for respecting the use of the library.
3.
In the late 1800s, people learned how to do their jobs by watching those with the same job and studying their actions. Draw a picture of yourself in your future job.
Standards Addressed: Goal 1:1, 1:9, 2:1, 2:3, 2:6, 4:1, 4:8, CA1, CA4, CA6

Middle School:
1.
Discussion: Mr. Switzler felt everyone deserved an education to become a productive member of society. Name three ways you can be a productive member of society. What is the most important way to contribute to society and why?
2.
In the late 1800s, few people had books or magazines, but many had newspapers.
If you were the editor of a newspaper in that time period, what type of news would you have included and why? Create a sample of the newspaper you would have priority list and defend your choices.
Standards Addressed: Goal 1:1, 1:2, 1:8, 2:1, 2:3, 4:1, 4:3, CA1, CA3, CA4, CA6, SS2,
SS7 have produced.
3.
Switzler helped establish a public library in Columbia, Missouri. Imagine you were going to establish a library. List 10 books you would place on the must-
High School:
1.
Discussion: William Switzler was a historian. What does it mean to be a historian and what role do historians play in our society today?
2.
Mr. Switzler had educational institutions named in his honor. What do you think would be an appropriate tribute to your name? Write a brief essay and include an illustration of your tribute.
3.
In William Switzler’s lifetime (the late 1800s), there were few schools to prepare people for their careers. What education do you need to prepare yourself for your chosen career?
Standards Addressed : Goal 1:1, 1:6, 1:8, 1:9, 1:10, 2:1, 2:3, 2:6, 4:1, 4:3, 4:8, CA1,
CA3, CA4, CA6, SS2
Elementary:
1.
Discussion: The Pulitzer family established the Pulitzer Prizes as “an incentive to excellence.” Share something in which you excel.
2.
Imagine you were going to create an award to give someone who was excellent.
What would you name the award and who would receive it? Draw a picture of the award and share it with the class.
3.
Several generations of the Pulitzer family worked to create the St. Louis Post-
Dispatch. What is a “generation” when referring to families? Draw a chart with the generations of your family.
Standards Addressed: Goal 1:1, 1:4, 1:8, 2:1, 2:3, 4:1, 4:3, CA1, CA3, CA4, CA6
Middle School:
1.
Discussion: The Pulitzer family was instrumental in creating the St. Louis Post-
Dispatch. What is your favorite section of the newspaper and why?

2.
The Pulitzer family created the Pulitzer prizes to award excellence. Write about an award that you received and how the recognition made you feel.
3.
Research a Pulitzer Prize winner and create a poster that includes a brief biography, why they were chosen for the award, and an illustration.
Standards Addressed: Goal 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:8, 2:1, 2:3, 4:1, CA1, CA3, CA4,
CA6, SS6
High School:
1.
Discussion: Pulitzer II hated anything that he considered unjust or corrupt. What do you consider to be unjust or corrupt? Why? What, if anything, can be done to change the situation?
2.
The Pulitzer Prize was established to award excellence. What does your school and community do to recognize students for excellence? What are the criteria for receiving the awards?
3.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch thrived when its competitors did not. Locate another
Missouri newspaper and compare and contrast it to the Post-Dispatch. Which newspaper would you choose to subscribe to and why?
Standards Addressed : Goal 1:1, 1:5, 1:6, 1:9, 2:1, 2:3, 3:1, 3:2, 3:3, 3:4, 3:6, 3:7, 4:1,
4:3, 4:5, CA1, CA4, CA6, SS2