Voyage of Patience Goodspeed

Teacher’s Guide for

The Voyage of Patience Goodspeed

by Heather Vogel Frederick

Pre-reading:

Before beginning to read The Voyage of Patience Goodspeed, research the practice of whaling on the internet. Write down three interesting facts you learned.

Prediction Guide:

Chapters 1-3

1. Will Patience’s father relent, and let her attend Miss Mitchell’s school? How do you know?
2. Will Patience and Thad see the two rough and tumble sailors again? Why or why not?
3. Will Aunt Anne go to sea with the other Goodspeeds?
4. Will Thaddeus get into further mischief? Predict one.

Chapters 4-6

5. Who will be the first to spot the whale?
6. Will Binyon and Todd be problems throughout the voyage? What makes you believe so?
7. Will they catch more whales? How many? Will they all be so easily taken?
8. Will Patience and Thad go back up on the masthead again during the next whale hunt? Why or why not?

Chapter 7-9

9. Will Patience end up telling her father about what Bunyon and Toad did to Thad? Why or why not?
10. Will Patience’s father begin teaching her to navigate now or not?
11. Which present will be her favorite? Why?

Chapters 10-12

12. What does Patience see in the storeroom? Will they become important later in the story? How?
13. Will the Morning Star survive the blow? How do you know?
14. Will they find Tom? Will cousin Jeremiah recover?
15. Do you think Patience is right in disliking Bridgewater?
16.  Do you think Aunt Anne will come on the next expedition? Why?

Chapters 13-15

17. Is Bridgewater to be trusted? Why or why not?
18. Who are the traitors?
19. Will father and Thad be marooned forever?
20. Will they catch Ishmael?
21. Will her calculations be correct? Will it matter?

Chapters 16-18

22. Will Patience be able to help gain control of the ship again? How?
23. Whose side is Charlie Fishback on? What makes you think so?
24. Will Todd give away Patience’s plan?
25. What will happen to Bilgewater, Bunion and Toad?
26. Will Father let Patience navigate more now?
27.  Will Patience want to go on the next whaling expedition? Why or why not?

Comprehension Guide/ Quiz Questions

for The Voyage of Patience Goodspeed

by Heather Vogel Frederick

Knowledge:

1. Describe the reasons why Patience does not want to leave Nantucket.
2. Sequence the major events in the book.

Comprehension:

1.Summarize how Patience changes from the beginning of the story to the end.

2. Describe life aboard a whale ship in the early 1800’s.

Application:

1. Choose your favorite scene from the book. Reread that part, and then, in a brief journal describe why the writing of it was so compelling.
2. Instruct a friend, or a teacher, on some interesting tidbit you learned while reading Voyage.

Analyze:

1. Compare and contrast Patience with her father. How are they alike? How are they different?
2. Research one of the historical events that is mentioned in the book like the sinking of The Essex.

Synthesize:

1. Compile a list of items you would want to take with you aboard The Morning Star for a three-year journey.
2. Write a letter to Patience explaining what you learned while reading her story.

Evaluation:

1. Predict what Thad’s career and life will be like as an adult. Defend your answer.
2. Choose your favorite character of the book. Explain why.

Multiple Intelligence Projects for

The Voyage of Patience Goodspeed

by Heather Vogel Frederick

Verbal/ Linguistic

Write at least three journal entries as if you were Thaddeus Goodspeed. Be detailed enough to prove you read the whole book!

Logical/ Mathematical

Design a chart that will display the following information: Major Characters, job aboard ship, relationship to Patience, major roles in each event. Then, study or the quiz from it!

Visual/ Spatial

Illustrate your favorite scene from the book in whatever media you choose: collage, paint, black and white, even photography!

Body/Kinesthetic

Play Voyage of Patience Goodspeed charades. Act out the following scenes from the book, but use absolutely NO words to get the audience to guess which scene you are portraying:

Boarding The Morning Star

Thad as a fish

The whaling expedition

The storm

The mutiny

The marooning

The navigating of the ship by Patience

Saving her father and brother

Musical/ Rhythmic:

Pretend you are creating the special sound effects for the movie adaptation of VOYAGE. With a tape recorder, try to create sounds that would mimmick the following sea sounds:

Ocean waves

Storm

Raising of the sails

Clashing of the mutiny

The animals aboard the ship

Interpersonal

Cooperative Project:

Brainstorm a list of topics that would be appropriate to explore beyond the text. (Discuss what life in America was like during the early 1800’s. What were major ways to earn a living? What was life at home like? Clothing? What were the expectations for young women and men?)

 Then, have students draw up a list of responsibilities for each team member and how members will be held accountable. Each group must turn in:

1. A poster of their findings

2. At least three unique references in a full bibliography

3. An individual journal discussing their part in the project and how they perceived its success

Intrapersonal:

Being able to recognize when comprehension has broken down is a hallmark of a good reader. Reread any chapter from VOYAGE and write a distraction journal, a list of all the nonsense thoughts that distract you from your comprehension of the text. Write about when it was most difficult to pay attention, and when it was easiest and why you got the results you did. In future readings, see if this activity doesn’t help you recognize when your comprehension is flagging, and what you might do to improve it!

The Mother Daughter Book Club

The Mother Daughter Book Club
By Heather Vogel Frederick

About the book:

Even if Megan would rather be at the mall, Cassidy is late for hockey practice, Emma’s already read every book in existence and Jess is missing her mother too much to care, the new book club is scheduled to meet every month. But what begins as a mom-imposed ritual of reading Little Women soon helps four unlikely friends navigate the drama of middle school. From stolen journals, to secret crushes, to a fashion fiasco first dance, the girls are up to their Wellie boots in drama. They can’t help but wonder: What would Jo March do? Acclaimed author Heather Vogel Frederick will delight daughters of all ages in a novel about the fabulousness of fiction, family, and friendship.

About the author:

When Heather Vogel Frederick was in the sixth grade, she used to ride her bike past Louisa May Alcott’s house in Concord, Massachusetts, and dream of becoming a writer. Today the award-winning author of the Patience Goodspeed books and the Spy Mice series lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband, their two teenage sons, the family’s beloved Shetland sheepdog, and three fun-loving chickens.

Author Interview:

1. What kind of research did you do to write the novel?

 To research this particular book I traveled from my home in Oregon back to Concord, Massachusetts, where I grew up.  One of my sisters lives in Boston, and I took her along with me.  We had a lot of fun poking around our old stomping grounds, and we took a walking tour of a lot of the historical sites so I could describe them accurately.  Places like Sleepy Hollow Cemetery and the Old North Bridge, and the library.  Of course we went to Louisa May Alcott’s home and took the tour there!  Other than that actual “location” research, though, I mostly just spent time thinking back to what it was like when I was in the 6^th grade, and some of the scrapes my sisters and I got into.

2. Describe your life in Concord as a kid. Do you think it has influenced you as a writer?

Living in Concord was amazing.  First of all, it’s a town steeped in history, and I’ve always really loved history.  But for me, growing up, it had the added plus of being a town steeped in literary history.  For some reason, a lot of writers ended up in Concord in the 19^th century.  Besides Louisa May Alcott there was Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and even Herman Melville for a while!  It was easy to wander around and imagine being a writer someday with all of those amazing writers to look up to.  Concord was – and still is – an exceptionally beautiful town, with wide streets lined with lovely old Colonial houses, and fields and meadows and rivers to explore.  I spent a lot of time riding my bike around when I was a kid, and I also loved to explore the woods behind our house.  I had a favorite tree down the road near the Old North Bridge where I’d go and climb up with a book and read (and sometimes spy on the tourists!).  My dad and I used to bike to Kimball Farm (it really exists, for those of you who’ve read the book) for ice cream.  And Concord also has two fabulous swimming holes – Walden Pond, of course, but most people in town actually went swimming in White Pond, or “White’s” as we referred to it.  Patriot’s Day was always a big deal in our family, and just like in “The Mother-Daughter Book Club,” my dad would wake my sisters and me up at 4 in the morning so we could walk over to watch the battle reenactment and then attend the pancake breakfast.  Our house was on the parade route, and family and friends would gather in our front yard to watch.  I spent a lot of time at the library, and there was (and is) a wonderful bookstore in town where I spent most of my allowance – whatever was left, that is, after my sisters and I visited the penny candy store (sadly no longer in existence).  Did all of this influence me as a writer?  Absolutely.  We write about the landscapes and places we hold close in our hearts, and Concord is definitely one of those places!

3. What’s  your creative process like- do you outline, for example, or just dive right in?

My process for the most part is to sit down every morning in my comfortable armchair and tell myself a story.  I never used to outline at all, but that’s changed a bit over the years.  For this book, the structure I came up with (four alternating voices, four seasons, 16 chapters in all) meant that I had to do a little more in the way of plotting ahead of time than I usually do.  But I still find that once the story gets underway, it takes you in different directions than you could have envisioned at the outset.  That’s the fun of writing – what emerges is often a surprise!  I tend to write in the mornings, when I’m freshest, and afternoons are for email and deskwork and reading.  (Plus taking care of my family and pets.)  Mostly I work in my office at home, but once in a while for a change of scene I’ll take my laptop to a nearby coffee shop, or sometimes out in the back yard.  We have chickens, though, and they’re curious birds, so when I do that I often end up with a chicken on my lap, trying to “help” me write!

4. What can your fans (like me!) look forward to next?

Right now, I’m working on a sequel to “The Mother-Daughter Book Club.”  With any luck, it will be on bookstore shelves next spring.

Pre-reading:

Share your experiences of book club. Have you ever been in one that met outside of school? What books did you read? Did drama outside the book ever interfere with the club itself? Why do you think book clubs exist?

Discussion Guide:

AUTUMN

Emma:

1.       Why is Emma having such a difficult time in school? What do you think she should do about it?

2.       Who does Emma like? Who does she dislike? Why?

3.       What surprise does her mother have in store? How would you feel about being signed up for a book club without your input?

Megan:

1.       Why does Megan think her mom is disappointed in her? Is she really?

2.       When you read Megan’s first chapter do you think you would want to be friends with her or not? Why?

3.       What would Megan rather be doing? Would you want to join a book club? Why or why not?

Cassidy:

1.       Why does Cassidy’s sister yell at her?

2.       Why is Cassidy having a more difficult time with the loss of her father than her sister?

3.       What does Cassidy plan for the fabulous four at the Halloween party?

Jess:

1.       Why do you think Jess and Emma are such good friends?

2.       How would you feel if your mom left to pursue a career in film, television, or music? Is it better or worse than leaving for any other reason?

3.       What causes the rift in the book club? Predict what you think will happen because of it.

WINTER

Cassidy:

1.       How do Megan and Cassidy get along? Why? Do you think it will always be that way?

2.       How do things get intense once more at the book club?

3.       Would you want to attend and dress up for the Christmas party? Why?

Emma:

1.       Describe the Little Women Christmas party. What do you think they’ll remember about it?

2.       What does Mrs. Delaney send in her absence? How would you feel in Jess’s place?

3.       What makes Emma hopeful that she and Megan might renew their friendship? Does it work?

Jess:

1.       How would you feel if your Mom or Dad couldn’t come to your most important event? Would you be able to forgive them?

2.       Do you think Becca will grow up to be a battleaxe just like her own mother, Mrs. Chadwick? What makes you think this?

3.       Explain what happens during the performance. How would you feel?

Megan:

1.       Does Megan feel remorse for the goat incident or not? How has she been influenced by the other girls? Is it an excuse for her behavior?

2.       Do you think this argument was necessary for the club to continue? What things are said that needed to be said?

3.       How must Megan make it up to Jess? Is this enough?

SPRING

Cassidy:

1.       What happens at the championship match to Cassidy?

2.       How does her mother handle her worst fear?

3.       What small detail reveals how the mother daughter book club has changed?

Emma:

1.       Why is Patriot’s Day such a big deal in Concord? Do you have any local events which are very important to your community? Describe it.

2.       Do you think reenactments are important for understanding history? Would you participate in one?

3.       What happens between the fabulous four and the mother daughter book club?

Megan:

1.       How does Megan save Emma’s outfit?

2.       Do you think fashion is frivolous or necessary? Why?

3.       Why does Megan think,  “Nobody quite got what they wanted.” (p. 181)

Jess:

1.       What would be most difficult about having a parent gone?

2.       How does Jess’s dad embarrass her? Do all parents embarrass their children?

3.       How does the mother daughter book club react to his ideas? Are they true friends now, or not?

SUMMER

Emma:

1.       How does she handle Becca Chadwick on the bus? What inspires her? Has a book ever helped you see things in a new light?

2.       Describe Emma’s birthday party. What’s the best gift?

3.       What should be included in a birthday party for you? What about your best friend?

Megan:

1.       What happens when they run into Becca on the train?

2.       Describe the events at FLASH. How would you feel in Megan’s shoes?

3.       What surprise does Clementine  share with the group?

Cassidy:

1.       How difficult would it be to  have a supermodel for a mom?

2.       Would you be interested in having a make-over like the ones described in this chapter? Could you trust the designers or not?

3.       Why is Jess so disappointed in the trip?

Jess:

1.       What do they see at Orchard House with new eyes?

2.       How has the reading of Little Women changed each of them?

3.       What is the happy ending to the story?

Projects:

Art:

Design a bedroom, outfit, or scene for the movie adaptation of the mother daughter book club for one of the characters. You can use any materials you like to bring it to life.

Music:

Choose the playlist for the movie soundtrack of the book. Or, choose a soundtrack for one of the characters and explain your choices.

Food:

Create apple slump or one of the other yummy cookies or goodies mentioned in the story. Share with friends or book club members.

Just for fun:

Host a celebration like one in the story- either a time period party (like the Christmas party) or a birthday party inspired by the honored guest.

Fill out the following character chart as you read the novel:

Character:	Description:	Conflicts:	Relationship with her mom:	In the end:
Emma
Megan
Cassidy
Jess

The Education of Patience Goodpeed

Teacher’s Guide for

The Education of Patience Goodspeed

By Heather Vogel Frederick

Prediction:

Read the jacket of the book and then make predictions about what the major events in the story may be. Specifically, what will be the “danger that strikes” that sends Patience to boarding school?

Great readers keep themselves involved in the story while they’re reading by making predictions about what they think may happen next. They look for clues to help them make these guesses. Often though the author deliberately tries to surprise the reader (which is half the fun of reading, don’t you think?) with extra details that may not turn out to be critical. As you read The Education of Patience Goodspeed answer these questions AS YOU GO and don’t worry whether your answers are right or not. Also, create at least one prediction or question by the end of each chapter with one of these phrases, “I wonder whether…” “I think that Patience will probably…” “I think the next obstacle may be…”

Chapter 1

1. Will Fanny Starbuck try for Captain Goodspeed’s attentions?

Chapter 2

1. Will Fanny tell the captain about his children’s diminishing manners? What will the captain do?

Chapter 3

1. Will Fanny capture the captain’s attentions? Will Patience, as Chips suggests, be like Fanny in a couple of years?

Chapter 4

1. Will they run into danger on the Cannibal islands? What will it be?

Chapter 5

1. What will the natives do to them? What makes you thinks so?

Chapter 6

1. Will they be able to save everyone? How?

Chapter 7

1. Will John Macy survive? Will Patience be given the credit she deserves from her father?

Chapter 8

1. Will Patience hate the boarding school as much as she thinks she will? What will it be like?

Chapter 9

1. How will Patience mend her relationship with her father?

Chapter 10

1. Will the three months be cured or only endured by Patience? What could be the ray of hope for her?

Chapter 11

1. Will Thaddeus wish that Fanny will become his mother? What makes you think so or not?

Chapter 12

1. Will Thaddeus be allowed to keep Friday? What will his father say about him when he learns of the mistaken gift?

Chapter 13

1. Will Fanny forgive her? Will Patience forgive herself?

Chapter 14

1. Will Reverend Wiggins find out about the girl’s secret studies? What will he say if he does?

Chapter 15

1. Do you think Aunt Ann believes “Sabbath is not a day for idle amusement?” What will Ann take them to do?

Chapter 16

1. What will happen to La`ila`a, Charity, and Patience over the hula?

Chapter 17

1. Why hasn’t the Morning Star reappeared?

Chapter 18

1. Why did Fanny make this declaration?

Chapter 19

1. What will happen between Fanny and Patience? Patience and her father? Captain Goodspeed and Fanny?

Chapter 20

1. When will the Morning Star reappear? What has delayed them?

Chapter 21

1. What would Reverend Wiggins do about the stunt with Friday? What would Papa do?

Chapter 22

1.  Will Patience and Fanny remain friends? What will the wedding be like?

Chapter 23

1. Will the gift be able to be salvaged? How?

Chapter24

1. What will happen to Charity, The Gospels, Patience and Thad?

Comprehension Check:

1. What would you say are the major events in the story? Why would you pick these over others?
2. Compare Patience to Fanny. Are they alike in any way? How are they different?

3. Imagine what would have happened if the Morning Star had not reappeared within six months. What would Patience and Thaddeus have done?

4. Which scene was your favorite from the story? Why?

5. Explain what Reverend Wiggins is trying to do on the island.

Discussion Guide:

1. How is Patience unlike typical young women of her time? How is she still bound by many of their expectations? What, do you think, would her life be like had she been born in the year that you were?
2. Reverend Wiggins is quite sure of himself and his goals to educate the natives from their “savagery.” Discuss his motives and methods through the lens of this century. How have our views changed? What has remained the same?
3. How does Patience change from the beginning of the novel to the end? What did she learn? What more does she need to learn?
4. The Goodspeeds’ have very close yet volatile relationships. What do people reveal about themselves to family that outsiders may never know or understand? Do you think their relationships will always contains times of discord? Why? Do all families?
5. Patience says on p. 223, “I am so weary of decorum and refinement and respectability. Hardly anything I had done since arriving in this place had been fun.”  What would you do under the severe circumstances Patience finds herself in? Have you ever felt this chained before?
6. How would you describe Patience as a person? Would you like to be her friend? Why? What are her strengths? What are her weaknesses?
7. How would you feel if you were left at a boarding school like Patience, Thaddeus and their Aunt? Would you object or be relieved to be out of harm’s way?
8. On p. 232 Aunt Ann says, “Life is not a neat equation to be solved… It’s messy and wild and unpredictable. That’s the heartbreak of it, but that’s also the glory in it.” Discuss this quote and what it means to you.
9. Patience smarts under the judgment of Reverend Wiggins and yet she continues to act similarly to Fanny. How are both minds changed? Do people always surprise you or are they likely to remain the person you first encountered? Defend your answer.
10.  What do you think will be Patience’s next adventure? What elements will it include (danger, romance, more expeditions)? What adventures would you like to have before Patience’s next appearance in bookstores?

Projects across the Curriculum:

Language Arts:

Pretend you are getting ready to write the play version of The Education of Patience Goodspeed for the Broadway or Film adaptation. The first pages of these plays often describe the characters so the actor can get a good idea of how to portray them. Write descriptions of each of the main characters in the story- use physical characteristics as well as their personality.

Mathematics:

Visit the following websites to research the history and tools of early navigation. Write a brief pamphlet about what you learned.

http://www.boatsafe.com/kids/navigation.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/discovery/exploration/navigation_animation.shtml

Art:

Create a Hawaiian inspired batik:

Batik is the art of reverse- using crayon (or wax) color the flowers of Hawaii (or a scene from the book) on pre-washed muslin. Then, dip the fabric into a dye bath of your choice, or use spray bottles filled with the dye to apply it for more control (and cleaner too!) Let the dye set and then wash.