Pre-Reading Activities

Cut out the activities below and have each group pull a different activity from a hat. Each group must present the material outlined on their activity sheet to the class.

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1. On poster board, create and complete a chart like the one below to show how the seasons affect your life. Be prepared to present your chart to the class.

	Food	Clothing	Recreation
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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2. Do some research about the falcon. Find out about its habitat, its special skills, the food it eats, and its life cycle. Also, find out about falconry, a sport in which falcons are used for hunting small animals. Organize your findings so that your group can present the information to the class. All members of your group should participate in the presentation. The following websites may help:

http://www.raptorcenter.org/peregrine-falcon.asp ; http://www.pbs.org/falconer/falconry/

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3. Do some research about the Catskill Mountains. Find out where it is located, the highest mountain peak, activities available to do there, the average high and low temperatures for summer and winter, the average snowfall, and the distance it is in miles and the approximate time it would take to get there from our school. Organize your findings so that your group can present the information to the class. All members of your group should participate in the presentation. The following websites might help:

http://www.catskill.net/purple/weather.htm ; http://www.visitthecatskills.com/

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4. Research the author Jean Craighead George. In a class presentation, provide some background information on the author. Explain what inspired her to write My Side of the Mountain. Finish by reading the Author’s Preface aloud to the class. It can be found in the beginning of the book. You can find information about the author on her website. http://www.jeancraigheadgeorge.com/index.htm

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5. What does “survival” mean? Explain the five basic skills of survival. What are some skills that are necessary for survival in the wilderness? How would these skills change as the seasons change? Organize your findings so that your group can present the information to the class. All members of your group should participate in the presentation. The following websites might help:

http://www.natureskills.com/basic_survival_skills.html

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/

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