I Survived the Children’s Blizzard, 1888 is a compelling novel that transports readers back in time to one of the deadliest blizzards in American history.
On January 12, the day started out warm at around thirty degrees. John and his sister Franny enjoyed a fun recess at school. All of a sudden, a blizzard blew in and the children had to make a mad dash for the schoolhouse. John thought Franny was still outside playing hide-and-seek. In one terrifying scene, John braves the storm to find Franny.
Through John’s eyes, readers will experience the terror and devastation of this catastrophic event. Be inspired by his courage in the face of danger. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves stories of survival, history, and the triumph of the human spirit.
I Survived the Children’s Blizzard 1888 Teaching Activities
Book Unit Samples
You will find the following in this novel study sample:
- Vocabulary Practice
- Comprehension Questions for Chapters 1-2
- Constructed Response Question for Chapters 1-2
Teaching Idea #1 – The Children’s Blizzard, 1888 Historical Account
This one-page article about the Children’s Blizzard is an ideal way for students to compare and contrast an actual event to a fictional account. The article comes with comprehension questions.
Teachable Moments from the Novel
- Homestead Act of 1862
- grasshopper invasions
- living on the prairie
- problems settlers had traveling west
- ways to survive in the cold
This three-minute video, narrated by Senator Ben Sasse, gives an overview of the Schoolchildren’s Blizzard.
Learn about the Children’s Blizzard of 1888 with these short vidoes.
Teaching Idea #2 – Firsthand Accounts
Newspaper articles:
Many newspapers covered the storm and its aftermath, and their articles can provide valuable insights into how people experienced the blizzard. Some examples of newspapers that covered the storm include The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, and The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Letters and diaries:
Personal accounts of the storm can help students understand how people coped with the extreme weather and its effects. The American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress has a collection of letters and diaries from people who experienced the storm.
Photographs:
Photographs of the storm and its aftermath can help students visualize the impact of the blizzard on people and communities. The National Archives has a collection of photographs of the blizzard that can be accessed online.
Government documents:
Government documents, such as reports on the storm and its effects, can provide insight into the response of officials to the blizzard. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has a report on the storm that can be accessed online.
Oral histories:
Oral histories recorded by people who experienced the storm can provide a more personal perspective on the blizzard. The American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress has a collection of oral histories from people who lived through the storm.
Lauren Tarshis Video
An exceptional video about locusts narrated by Tarshis provides a lot of nonfictional information. In the video, Tarshis mentions “primary sources” and provides several examples of how she changed passages to “show, don’t tell.”
Teaching Idea #3 – Resources from Lauren Tarshis
Lauren Tarshis’s website contains additional teaching resources. In I Survived the Children’s Blizzard, 1888, the author offers the following free resources.
POSTER DOWNLOADS
ACTIVITIES
TEACHING RESOURCES
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I Survived the Children’s Blizzard 1888 Novel Study includes vocabulary practice, comprehension questions, constructed response writing, and skill practice.