The Adventures of Tom Sawyer -by Mark Twain Background knowledge What do you know about the author Mark Twain? On Nov. 30, 1835, Samuel Langhorne Clemens was born in Florida, Missouri Born the same day that Halles Comet was visible in the night sky 4 years later his family moved to Hannibal, Missouri. Where is Missouri? Where is Hannibal? When Samuel was 12, his father died of pneumonia. At 13, Samuel left school to become a printer's apprentice. After two short years, he joined his brother Orion's newspaper as a printer and editorial assistant. It was here that young Samuel found he enjoyed writing. Mark Twain’s boyhood home http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6zd1FqJN6A http://earthcam.com/marktwain/# http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0fhh2p_NUY At 17, he left Hannibal behind for a printer's job in St. Louis. While in St. Louis, Clemens became a river pilot's apprentice. Clemens' pseudonym, Mark Twain, comes from his days as a river pilot. It is a river term which means two fathoms or 12-feet when the depth of water for a boat is being sounded. "Mark twain" means that is safe to navigate. He became a licensed river pilot in 1858. Because the river trade was brought to a stand still by the Civil War in 1861, Clemens began working as a newspaper reporter for several newspapers all over the United States. In 1870, Clemens married Olivia Langdon, and they had four children, one of whom died in infancy and two who died in their twenties. Their surviving child, Clara, lived to be 88, and had one daughter. Clara's daughter died without having any children, so there are no direct descendants of Samuel Clemens living. Twain began to gain fame when his story, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calavaras County" appeared in the New York Saturday Press on November 18, 1865. Twain's first book, The Innocents Abroad, was published in 1869. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer in 1876 The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in 1885. He wrote 28 books and numerous short stories, letters and sketches. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer When does the book take place? 1830-1840 What significant event came after this time period? (20 years) Civil War The Adventures of Tom Sawyer What does Antebellum mean? Ante- before Bellum- war What is dialect? The Adventures of Tom Sawyer What was life like back then? Imagine Elizabeth in the 1800s. Do you think your life would be the same? Tom Sawyer Rules Arrive to class with your Tom Sawyer book every day. Always answer chapter questions on a separate piece of paper. You may type or hand write your answers. Save all of your answers because you will use it as a study guide at the end of the unit! Constantly use your vocabulary sheet as a guide when reading Tom Sawyer. Be prepared for pop quizzes on the previous night’s reading assignment. Tom Sawyer Rules Continued If you like to LISTEN while you READ itunesU has a free copy of the story that you can download. It’s so simple!! Just go to the itunes store and search The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and it should pop right up! Chapter 1 Switch Spare the rod and spile the child Tom Sawyer collar trick New Kid Chapter 2 Whitewash Bully Taw Chapter 3 Busy at War and Love Clods of dirt Joe Harper Chapter 3 “Adorned Unknown” Sugar bowl incident Chapter 4 Barlow Knife Mr. Walters Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Model Boy The ill-bred choir Chapter 5 The Pinch Bug and His Prey The pinch bug His prey Chapter 6 Monday mornings… Huckleberry Finn Tom’s “punishment” Chapter 7 Tick – Running and heartbreak Engaged Chapter 8 A Pirate Bold to Be Tom meditates Joe Harper Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Meow At the graveyard Muff Potter Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Muff Potter Tom and Aunt Polly