Take a look at the map and discuss the following questions:

Take a look at the map and discuss the questions

• Identify 3 interesting details from the map
• What part of Philadelphia seemed to be most effected by yellow fever?
• What do you think was a possible effect of the yellow fever epidemic on the people of Philadelphia?
• Name three things you want to learn about the yellow fever epidemic of 1793

Historical Fiction

Fever 1793

Why do people go to coffee shops?

Predict what you think this book is going to be about

Yellow Fever Simulation squares

Chapter 1

Vocabulary

• droned pg. 2
• abhorred pg. 3

Journal

• Describe your first impressions of Matilda.
• Describe Matilda's relationship with her mother as you see it so far.
• Based on the description so far, how would you characterize people's living conditions and hygiene in 1793?

Identifying Setting: time, period, location

• In what month/year does this take place?
• In what city and state?
• How might this setting escalate (speed up) the spread of yellow fever

Discussion

• In what month/year does this take place?
• In what city and state?
• How might this setting escalate (speed up) the spread of yellow fever?

Vocabulary

• droned pg. 2: make a dull, low monotonous sound
• abhorred pg. 3: to regard with disgust and hatred

Chapter 2

Vocabulary

• victuals pg. 8
• disreputable pg. 11

Journal

• Compare and contrast Matilda to yourself. Can you relate at all to her?
• Visualize Philadelphia. What do you see? Smell? etc.
• Where in chapter 2 can you find an example of foreshadowing?

Vocabulary

• victuals pg. 8: food supplies
• disreputable pg. 11: not considered to be respectable in character or appearance.

Vocabulary

• stays

Chapter 3

Vocabulary

• peckish pg. 16

Journal

• How does Mattie view her mother? What change has Mattie seen in her mother over her lifetime.
• Compare the two sides of Mattie's mother you see in this chapter.
• Why do you think Mattie's mother won't let her attend Polly's funeral?

Vocabulary

• peckish- hungry

Chapter 4

Vocabulary

• miasma pg. 19
• bilious pg. 20

Journal

• Visualize the coffee house. What do you see, hear, smell? What purposes to you think the coffee house serves in the community?
• We hear mention of a husband for Mattie a second time in this chapter. Why does this issue keep coming up? What do you think Mattie's feelings are on the issue?

Vocabulary

• miasma pg. 19: poisonous germs polluting the air
• bilious pg. 20: causing nausea or vile

Create a Wordle

• In guidebooks create a wordle of one character of your choice. You may use words more than once. But write/draw as many adjectives that come to mind as you can!

Chapter 5

Vocabulary

• impudence pg. 31

Journal

• What sense do you get thus far about the role of women in 1793?
• How does Mrs. Epler think you can protect yourself from the fever? Do you agree or disagree with her opinion?
• Why does Mattie's mother not want her to go to the market? How does this make Mattie feel? Can you relate?

Vocabulary

• impudence -rudeness, boldness

Chapter 6

Vocabulary

• fripperies pg. 38
• wharves pg. 38
• idleness pg. 42

Clothing of the times

• stays
• petticoats
• (science starter week 14)

Journal

• Do any of the characters remind you of a character from another book? Anyone you know? Who and why?
• What would you think about Grandfather's views on the causes of the fever?

Vocabulary

• fripperies: showy or unnecessary ornament in architecture, dress, or language
• wharves: a structure built along or at an angle from the shore waters so that ships may lie alongside to receive and discharge cargo and passengers
• idleness: not working, active, or being used

Chapter 7

Vocabulary

• tedious pg. 50
• vile pg. 51

Journal

• Visualize a scene from what we have read so far. Illustrate it on a page in your journal. Include the page (s) where your scene if generated from.
• Write: why did you choose this scene?

Journal

• How do you think the Olgivie's view people from social classes different from their own? How do they specifically view Mattie and her mother? (pg. 51)
• Why do you think Mrs. Olgivie invited Mattie and her mother to tea?

Vocabulary

• tedious - too long, slow or dull; tiresome or monotonus
• vile - disgusting

Chapter 8

Vocabulary

• din pg. 54
• pestilence pg. 60
• vehemently pg. 61

Journal

• Page 63 contains a quote from Ben Franklin: "He's the best physician that knows the worthlessness of most medicines." What message if Franklin trying to convey? Do you agree or disagree?
• This chapter ends with Mattie's mother being dumped onto the street, predict what might happen next.

Vocabulary

• din - a loud, unpleasant, and prolonged noise:
• pestilence - a fatal epidemic disease
• vehemently - in a forceful, passionate, or intense manner; with great feeling

Interpreting Similes

• My stomach flipped over like an egg in a skillet. pg. 30
• Her cheeks shone pink and chubby like a baby pigs. pg. 48
• She lay under the faded bedding like a rag doll losing its stuffing. pg. 67
• She was breathing as fast and heavy as a runaway horse. pg. 69

Chapter 9

Vocabulary

• fractious pg. 64
• immodest pg. 65

Journal

• She lay under the faded bedding like a rag doll losing its stuffing. (pg. 67) What two things are being compared in this similie and do you think this is an effective comparison? Why or why not?
• There are several differences between how the wealthy and working class live during this time. Choose at least one example that shows the different lifestyles between the Ogilvies and the Cooks.

Vocabulary

• fractious - irratible and complaining
• immodest-lacking humility or decency.

Chapter 10

Vocabulary

• cajoling pg. 74
• valise pg. 76

Journal

• Imagine being among strangers and becoming severly ill. How would you feel? What would you have to rely on for survival?
• What does Mattie mean when she says, "and so I left home, in a manner quite unpredicted?" pg. 77

Vocabulary

• cajoling - persuading gently
• valise - small suitcase

Chapter 11

Vocabulary

• grippe pg. 82

Journal

• What is happening to "community ideals" with the worsening disease outbreak. Why?
• Imagine if an infectious disease struck our area... how do you think people would behave? What would happen next?
• If you were driving the wagon what would you have done?

Vocabulary

• grippe - old fashioned term for influenza

Chapter 12

Vocabulary

• inhumane pg. 84
• recuperate pg. 86
• skirmish pg. 87

Journal

• Put yourself in Mattie's current situation (mother sick and left behind, grandfather now ill, stranded in the middle of nowhere, etc.) How would you feel? What would you do to survive?
• In what way has grandfather's attitude towards the sickness changed? (pg. 87)

Vocabulary

• inhumane pg. 84- without compassion for misery or suffering; cruel.
• recuperate pg. 86-recover from illness or exertion
• skirmish pg. 87-a short argument. ( an episode of irregular or unpremeditated fighting, especially between small or outlying parts of armies or fleets.)

Chapter 13

Vocabulary

• improvised pg. 91

Journal

• On pg. 93 Mattie says, " What is wrong with the world? Would I next see birds flying backward or cows crocheting doilies?" What is she trying to convey?
• Pg. 95 ends with, "Then blackness." What do you think will happen next?

Vocabulary

• improvised - unplanned

Chapter 14

Vocabulary

• slovenly- pg. 102

Journal

• How is Bush Hill described in rumors? Compare and contrast the rumors to how it is in actuality.
• What is bloodletting? What do French doctors think about the treatment of bloodletting compared to the Americans? Why does this worry Mattie?
• Out of all Mattie has had to endure thus far, what do you think has been the most difficult and why?

Vocabulary

• slovenly - sloppy, disheveled

Chapter 15

Vocabulary

• destitute pg. 106
• negligence pg. 105
• famished pg. 107

Journal

• Based on reading pg. 105-106, how would you describe the societal environment that the fever has created?
• What does Mrs. Flagg mean by, "You can't solve tomorrow's problems today." pg 107
• According to p. 109, how do some people see African American's in relation to the fever?

Journal

• According to Anderson, how did Dr. Rush treat yellow fever differently than the French doctors?
• How did Dr. Rush's treatment of yellow fever change as the epidemic progressed?

Vocabulary

• destitute pg. 106 -poor, penniless
• negligence pg. 105-failure to take proper care in doing something
• famished pg. 107-extremely hungry

Chapter 16

Vocabulary

• placid pg. 116
• abates pg. 116
• scullery maid pg. 117

Journal

• What type of picture does Mrs. Bowles paint of Philadelphia? pg. 116
• What are the consequences of the post office being shut down for 1793 Philadelphia society? How would this affect our society today?
• Mrs. Bowles says on pg. 114, "These are trying times. They seem to bring out the best and worst in the people around us. " What does she mean by this? Examples?

Vocabulary

• placid - calm
• abates - lessens
• scullery maid-lowest-ranked and often the youngest of the female domestic servants and acted as assistant to a kitchen maid.

Chapter 17

Vocabulary

• recuperate pg. 126
• salvage pg. 127

Journal

• Grandfather had been an army officer and fought in the American Revolution. Throughout the book, Mattie speaks to Grandfather in military language. Cite examples of this from Chapter 17-include page numbers
• Describe the state of Mattie's home when she returns, given the description how would you feel if you were her?

Vocabulary

• recuperate - recover
• salvage - gather

Chapter 18

Vocabulary

• dote pg. 133
• urchin pg. 134

Journal

• What changes have you seen in Mattie thus far? What chores is she doing on her own that before she griped about?
• Why is Mattie so excited about finding a few potatoes in her garden?

Vocabulary

• urchin: a mischievous young child, especially one who is poorly or raggedly dressed
• dote pg. 133-to be extremely fond of
• urchin: a mischievous young child, especially one who is poorly or raggedly dressed

Chapter 19

Vocabulary

• haint pg. 143
• brandishing pg. 146

Creating Imagery-Journal

• The moonlight quivered as thin clouds scuttled across the sky. pg. 146
• Draw a sketch of the image that comes to mind when reading this.
• In this sentence the author uses personification (giving non-human objects human qualities). What human traits does the author give the moonlight and the clouds?

Vocabulary

• brandishing - waving
• haint - a type of ghost or evil spirit (why would they call Mattie that?)

Chapter 20

Vocabulary

• exorbitant pg. 158
• brandishing pg. 146

Journal

• At the beginning of Chapter 20, what are the details of Mattie's situation? What do you think are the chances of her survival rate?
• It seems Mattie is ready to give up hope in this chapter. Do you think she will? Why or why not?
• Why does the little girl say, "Mama's broken too?" What do you predict Mattie will do with the little girl?

Vocabulary

• exorbitant - excessive

Chapter 21

Vocabulary

• relish pg. 163
• apothecary pg. 167

Journal

• On pg. 21, there is a quote from Richard Allen and Absalom James...What information regarding the effect of the fever on society can we glean from this?
• What is the Free African Society? What information is the reader given about them in this chapter?

The Free African Society

Vocabulary

• relish - take pleasure in, enjoy
• apothecary - pharmecy, drug store

Chapter 22

Vocabulary

• cooper pg. 170

Journal

• Why do you think Mattie finally breaks down once she finds Eliza?
• Visualize Mother Smith, What is your impression of her?

Vocabulary

• cooper - a person who makes or repairs barrels

Chapter 23

Vocabulary

• imp pg. 187
• prohibited pg. 190

Journal

• Who has been the most memorable character for you and why?
• Do you think Mattie made the right decision regarding Nell? Why or why not?

Vocabulary

• imp-a small, mischievous fairy
• prohibited -banned or forbidden

Chapter 24

Vocabulary

• jalap pg. 194
• seamstresses- pg. 196

Journal

• Re-read pg. 193. How has rumor played a part in the madness and disease affecting the city?
• How has Mattie matured throughout the story?

Vocabulary

• jalap: a purgative medicine obtained chiefly from the tuberous roots of a Mexican climbing plant.
• seamstress: a woman who sews, especially one who earns her living by sewing.

Chapter 25

Vocabulary

• calomel pg. 204
• epidemics pg. 205

Journal

• What wounds of the heart did Mattie suffer during the epidemic?
• How is Philadelphia described here different than in the start of the novel?

Vocabulary

• calomel: a white powder used as a purgative and a fungicide
• epidemic: a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time

Chapter 26

Vocabulary

• fetid pg. 210
• rapscallion pg. 213
• vigiliant pg. 215
• burlap pg. 209

Journal

• What turning point occurs during this chapter?
• On pg. 218, what does Mattie mean by, "We're supposed to go back to the way we lived before, but everything has changed."
• Can you compare Mattie to any other character you have read about?

Vocabulary

• fetid -having an offensive odor
• rapscallion - a rascal or rouge
• vigilant - watchful to detect danger
• burlap - plain woven, course fabric

"The entire yard sparkled with diamonds of frost that quickly melted into millions of drops of water with a gentle kiss of the sun."
Draw a simple sketch of the image that this passage brings to mind.

Chapter 27

Vocabulary

• proprietor pg. 226

Journal

• What is your opinion of Mattie's decisions regarding the coffee house?
• What are some possible alternate ending for this book?

Vocabulary

• proprietor -owner of a business

Chapter 28 - Epilouge

Vocabulary

• dignified pg. 232
• entourage pg. 232
• begrudge pg. 242

Journal

• What are the flat characters? Round characters? Why? Explain

Vocabulary

• dignified - noble or stately
• entourage - attendants of an important person
• begrudge - reluctant to give

In the first chapter, Mattie dreams about Jean Pierre Blanchard's first successful hot air balloon launch that occurred on January 9, 1793. Mattie returns to that moment over and over again in the novel.

From the prison's courtyard it rose, a yellow silk bubble escaping the earth. I vowed to do that one day, slip free of the ropes that held me. pg. 4

Where was the little girl who planted the bean seeds? Where were Mother and Grandfather and the dead mouse that flew out of the window a hundred-a thousand-years ago? And Blanchards yellow silk balloon that tugged against its ropes, hungry to escape the confines of the prison yard. What became of it all? pg. 207

Mattie-I write you in haste, Master Peale is closing up the house with his family and assistants inside. To protect us from the fever... My thoughts race...Take good care Mattie. I would not want you sick. We shall watch for balloons again, when the plague has passed. pg. 75

I smiled as the mist faded. The yellow sun rose, a giant balloon filled with prayers and hopes and promise. I stood and shook the idleness out of my skirts. Day was begun. pg. 243

1. What does the hot air balloon symbolize to Mattie prior to the fever epidemic?
2. How does the meaning of the hot air balloon change as the fever progresses?
3. What does the balloon symbolize to Mattie at the close of the book?

Create a timeline of Matilda's life. Start before the fever broke out. Show how Mattie has grown over time with the events you choose.

Compare Matilda to Brian from Hatchet or use a character from another book that she might resemble.