1a. Describe Annie's physical qualities.
2a. What does Mike Fink tell Annie Christmas at the dock?
3a. Where does Annie want to be buried?
1b. Why does the storyteller compare Annie's body to her mind?
2b. Why do you think he tells her that?
3b. Why do you think she wants to be buried there?
4a. List three things that only Annie can do—things that she does by herself.
4b. What does this reveal about her character?
5a. After reading this story, can you understand why people say "Why, he's as strong as Annie Christmas"? In other words, does the story do a good job of portraying Annie as a measure of strength against which others can be compared? Why, or why not?
5b. Think of a person you believe is "as strong as Annie Christmas." What qualities does the person have in common with Annie? How are they different from each other? Do you think people can be strong in different ways? Explain.
Tall Tale. How do you think this story would be different if it were part of written tradition and not oral tradition? Explain. Which elements of this story seem lighthearted or humorous? Which elements are exaggerated?
Climax. Now that you have read the selection, identify the climax of this story. Explain why you believe it is the climax. What events or information lead to the climax? What makes that point in the story so suspenseful?
1. On your own paper, draw and label a map of the river using the description from the text and your imagination to fill in details.
2. Pretend you are the mayor of the town. Write a eulogy—a statement of praise given at a funeral for the deceased—for Annie Christmas.
3. Imagine you work for the town paper. Write an obituary for Annie Christmas, detailing her contributions to the town and her fine qualities as a human being.
Matching. Match the Word for Everyday Use on the left with the correct definition on the right.
1. buoyant click to select answer a. flexible b. applaud c. uproar d. feather e. excessive effort f. spiral shoot g. floating h. skill i. obstacle j. underwater
2. pandemonium click to select answer a. flexible b. applaud c. uproar d. feather e. excessive effort f. spiral shoot g. floating h. skill i. obstacle j. underwater
3. acclaim click to select answer a. flexible b. applaud c. uproar d. feather e. excessive effort f. spiral shoot g. floating h. skill i. obstacle j. underwater
4. supple click to select answer a. flexible b. applaud c. uproar d. feather e. excessive effort f. spiral shoot g. floating h. skill i. obstacle j. underwater
5. barricade click to select answer a. flexible b. applaud c. uproar d. feather e. excessive effort f. spiral shoot g. floating h. skill i. obstacle j. underwater
6. capacity click to select answer a. flexible b. applaud c. uproar d. feather e. excessive effort f. spiral shoot g. floating h. skill i. obstacle j. underwater
7. submerged click to select answer a. flexible b. applaud c. uproar d. feather e. excessive effort f. spiral shoot g. floating h. skill i. obstacle j. underwater
8. plume click to select answer a. flexible b. applaud c. uproar d. feather e. excessive effort f. spiral shoot g. floating h. skill i. obstacle j. underwater
9. overexertion click to select answer a. flexible b. applaud c. uproar d. feather e. excessive effort f. spiral shoot g. floating h. skill i. obstacle j. underwater
10. tendril click to select answer a. flexible b. applaud c. uproar d. feather e. excessive effort f. spiral shoot g. floating h. skill i. obstacle j. underwater
Modifiers: Adjective or Adverb? In the sentences below, label each underlined word as an adjective or adverb.
1. Annie Christmas was extremely tall and strong.
2. Mike Fink aggressively cast aspersions on her abilities.
3. The bold woman was not pleased.
4. Too much rain made the river overflow its banks.
5. Annie used all her strength when she courageously saved the passengers of the stranded Natchez Belle.
6. The frayed rope nearly snapped.
7. Annie slowly pulled her boat to the very damaged Natchez Belle.
8. Annie's twelve sons sat beside her bed as she bravely faced certain death.
9. Aniie wanted to be buried in her scarlet dress.
10. Her sons lovingly sang a farewell song to Annie.
Researching and Telling Black Folklore: Research Log. Use this log to keep track of the sources you use, the information you find, and your reactions to what you learn.
Internet sources:
Books and other print sources:
Notes:
