GROUP!
In this activity, you first join a cooperative group of four members.  Number off, 1-2-3-4 so that each member in the group has a different number.

LISTEN!
The groups will all listen as the teacher reads one story from Turn of the Century.

RECEIVE THE CHARGE!
After the teacher has read the story, you will be charged with answering a question.

DISCUSS!
For five minutes, your group members (1-2-3-4) will discuss a question and be ready to present your group’s ideas to another group.  Use what you remember from the story to help you answer the question.

SEND OUT A CENTURY MESSENGER!
Now the teacher will spin a spinner that is numbered 1, 2, 3, 4.  If the pointer lands on “2,” the 2’s become the messengers and all step out of their group and rotate clockwise to the next group.  (For the next story, perhaps the “4’s” or “3’s” will move, but regardless which member moves, your group will always have a 1, a 2, a 3, and a 4.)

DELIVER THE MESSAGE!
The messenger then delivers the message to the new group by telling them the answer.  After the messenger’s presentation, the group may discuss the question or ask the messenger questions until time is up for that question.

Questions for the Century Messenger Game

The Year 1000
John, Son of Stephen, A Ten-Year-Old Peasant Boy
1.   Why must life have been difficult for a peasant at the turn of this century?
2.   If you were to travel back in time to live with John, which of your skills would be most useful to you?

The Year 1100
Eleanor,  A Nine-Year-Old Lady
1.   Describe a normal day in the life of a nine-year-old upper class girl at the turn of this century.
2.   Which parts would you like best, and which would you like least?

The Year 1200
Geoffrey,  A Ten-Year-Old Page
1.   Why would it be important to be in great shape if you were a ten-year-old upper class boy at the turn of this century?
2.   How has life improved since the beginning of this century (the year 1101)?

The Year 1300
Rhys,  An Eight-Year-Old Merchant’s Son
1.   How would school be different for you if you were an eight-year-old merchant’s son at the turn of this century?
2.   What are the health and environmental problems of this year?

The Year 1400
Alice,  A Ten-Year-Old Chambermaid
1.   Explain the job of a ten-year-old chambermaid at the turn of this century.
2.   What are the best and worst parts of living in the year 1400?

The Year 1500
Samuel Brewster,  A Nine-Year-Old Ship’s Boy
1.   How could the invention of the printing press make life better for ship’s boys in this century?
2.   Why would ship owners allow ten-year-old boys to work on their ships?

The Year 1600
Annabelle Hugh, An Eight-Year-Old Daughter of an Earl
1.   How was health being affected by the new habits and inventions at this time?
2.   What luxuries were being seen that were not seen before?

The Year 1700
Roger Dabbs, A Seven-Year-Old Massachusetts Boy
1.   How was Roger’s life like ours?
2.   How was he being trained for the future, and what part of today’s world does that training replace?

The Year 1800
Rebecca Foster, A Seven-Year-Old Kentucky Girl
1.   What did frontier people use in place of stores, restaurants, and t.v.?
2.   How would your house be different if you lived in 1800?

The Year 1900
Emily Prescott, An Eight-Year-Old Pennsylvania Girl
1.   What were the original inventions of 1900 that would grow into the appliances of today?
2.   Why has life changed so much since 1800?

The Year 2000
John Stevenson, A Ten-Year-Old California Boy
1.   What problems will the world face in the next century?
2.   Since the turn of the last century, people have more free time, better communication, and faster transportation.  What more is needed?

Return to Tales for Two Centuries 1999-2000

from Pages 100-102
Tales for Two Centuries
Literature Celebrations, Volume 5
Copyright, 1999, Suzy Red, Lockhart, Texas