Julius LesterHannah ChuongClass Period:6

Context CluesWord Sentence Correct Dictionary

Definition

Plowed To be considered not human, but a “thing” that plowed the fields.

A farm implement consistiong of a heavy blade at the end of a beam, hitched to a draft team or motor vehicle and used for breaking up soil and cutting cutting furrows in preparation for sowing.

Modesty Most plantation owners lived modestly an some, even poorly.

Reserve or propriety in speech, dress, or behavior.

Inhabitants Somewhere, in the background, out of sight, were the slave quarters with their inhabitants.

One that inhabits a place as a permanent resident.

Unobtrusive And all the while, they were attended to by an unobtrusive, attentive, and faithful Negro slaves.

Not undesirably noticeable; blatant

Attentive And all the while, they were attended to by an unobtrusive, attentive, and faithful Negro slaves.

Giving care or attention, watchful.

Text Purpose

• Informing, because it is factual and contains real life journal entries.

Text Structure

Text Representation

• The mother took her kids to the plantation and put them in a trough

• It rained very badly that day.

• When the mom got back to the kids, they drowned from all the rain in the trough and died.

Author’s Perspective/Point of View

Subject Author’s Feelings

Text Evidence

What the slaves were used for

A little shocked, and disappointed.

To the slaves, it was clear that slavery existed for two reasons:

Free labor and the money that was gotten from the fruits

of that free

labor.

Main Idea

Paragraphs Main IdeaBeginning-Page # 18 The white men would lure the

slaves onto the ship by throwing red cloth closer and closer to the ship until the slaves got onto the ship.

Middle-Page #63 Tells how poorly the white men treated slaves by giving them the worst environment to live in.

End-Page #139 Tells how happy some of the slaves were after they found out they were free from slavery.

Supporting Details

Details Page # Comments

Red cloth 18 The reason why they included what kind of cloth, was because they described that there were few pretty things in Africa, and they had no red colors in cloth.

Pillow was a stick of wood

63 The reason why they included why it was a stick of wood, was because it shows how cruel and cheap the slave owners were to the slaves.

The slaves clapped and sang

139 Included this to show how happy the slaves were.

Draw Inferences

What the Book Says Conclusions DrawnSituation: The slaves have been freed from slavery

Character Actions: The slaves shout, clap hands, and sing.

The slaves probably tried to start a new life, and tried to find old family members.

Situation: Trying to surrender themselves to new owner

Character Actions: Hopeful and anxious

Probably end up going with the new owner, and treated in a little better condition than the previous owner.

Compare-Contrast

Title: The drinking gourd

1. The underground railroad

2. Way to communicate

3.To flee safely away from their owners

4. Song

5. Explains how the slaves escaped

Title: To Be a Slave

1. Slave experiences

2. Journal entries

3. How slaves felt

4. Gives a visual

5. Showcases detailed opinions

Both:

1. What slaves endured

2. Show what the hoped for when they had nothing

3. Words of encouragement

4. Involved slavery

5. The slave’s point of view.

FactsFacts Page # CommentsSlaves sold to slave owners and were able to examine the “merchandise”

46 Really low how people would call slaves “merchandise”. Should treat slaves like regular people.

Slaves given a poor environment to live in.

63 I think it is sad how the slaves had to suffer in the heat and cold because of how poorly they treated the slaves.

White men lived in luxury 59 It is unfair to the slaves how they were living compared to the owners even thought the owners could afford the slave’s home.

The way of the whip, the auction block, and murder were done to make the slaves live in constant fear

76 I think that it was sad to see their family members go through this pain. I think it must of have been worse though to have that imagine in their head forever.

The slaves believed in Christ because they could relate to him

77 They could relate to Jesus because he suffered on the cross, just like how they suffered from the hard works the owners put them through.

OpinionsOpinions Page # CommentsThe biggest parties were held, at Christmas.

110 I can only imagine how much work the slaves put in just to everything right.

What ever the slave considered right, was wrong. Whatever was considered wrong, was right.

102 I think the slave owners were very critical and stubborn. I think they also didn't want to take advise from slaves because of how low they thought of them.

The slave owners did all they knew to break the spirit of the slaves

115 I was kind of expecting this, especially since I read somewhere in the book that they didn't even let the slaves have their own church service without a trusted chaperone.

The houses of the slaves were generally more for animals than human beings.

62 When I think of this, I imagine a filthy barn that has hay all over the place. This really shocked me when I found out what the slave’s houses really were.

Let a trusted slave preach to the slaves.

78 I never knew that some slaves trusted slave owners, or thought they were meant to be slaves. This was a little confusing when I first read it.

Reading Response

• The entire story is written in 1st person. I enjoy 1st person because most of the books I read are in 1st person, so it’s easier to understand. I also like 1st person because if it’s coming from one person. It gives some mystery on what other people are thinking. I would recommend this book for people who need hope and enjoy stories of inspiration.