American Plague, An
Publication Information
Author:  Murphy, Jim	Illustrator:
Title:  American Plague, An	Date:  2003
Publisher:  Clarion	City:  New York
ISBN, paperback:  0-395-77608-2	ISBN, hardback:
Recommended audience:
ABE/ABLE:   Yes	ESOL:
Family:	Young Adult:   Yes
Picture:
General Information:
Book Type(s):    nonfiction
HSE Descriptor(s):    social studies
Summary:
Subtitled "The True and Terifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793," this account focuses on the 1793 outbreak in Philadelphia but also addresses the politics of medical research. It won several awards.
Teaching Ideas:
Although the book is very reader friendly in presenting technical material, a picture walk through the story would also help preview the content. An anticipation guide would work well in raising health and social issues such as the way doctors handle health situations or who cares for sick patients, etc. Perhaps students will want to link this epidemic with AIDs or with current reactions to other disasters. Rich/poor contrasts may be of interest, as may the subplot about the assistance of African Americans. Students may want to find out more about Benjamin Rush. Students especially interested in science may want to focus on the connection of epidemics with disease-bearing animals.
Teaching Strategies:
Agree? Disagree? Why?    http://literacy.kent.edu/eureka/strategies/agree_disagree_why.pdf
DR-TA: Directed Reading Thinking Activity    http://literacy.kent.edu/eureka/strategies/dr_ta.pdf
K-W-L Instruction Strategy    http://literacy.kent.edu/eureka/strategies/k_w_l.pdf
Problem and Solution Outline and Text Frame    http://literacy.kent.edu/eureka/strategies/prob_solution.pdf
(Write and Share) 2    http://literacy.kent.edu/eureka/strategies/write_share2.pdf
Keywords: select any link below for a list of resources which also have that keyword
Social Studies > anthropology > cultures > cultural conflict Ethnic Groups > African-American Emotions-Personal Issues > emotions > death Emotions-Personal Issues > personal issues > individual > physical issues > health Hardships > disasters > natural disasters Science > scientific method Social Studies > sociology > social issues > epidemics Social Studies > sociology > social issues > poverty Science > medicine > diseases

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