©
Copyright 2007 New Jersey Newspaper Foundation.
All Rights Reserved.
Serialized
Story Guide for Teachers, Students and Families
By Antonette
Bomentre-Walter and Chris Yatchyshyn
Chapter
1 - Common Sense Arrives
Vocabulary
strolled - verb; walking
in a leisurely or idle manner
pamphlet - noun;
an unbound printed publication with no cover or
with a paper cover
enlightening - adjective;
giving spiritual insight to
gesturing - verb:
expressing or directing by a movement of the body
or limbs that expresses or emphasizes an idea or
an attitude
revelation - noun;an
act of revealing to view or making known
anonymous - adjective;
not named or identified
Recalling the Facts
1. During what year
does the story begin?
2. In what city does
the story begin?
3. The colonists were
under which country's rule?
4. What is the name
of the pamphlet the men were talking about?
5. How did the author
of the pamphlet sign his name?
6. Who was the
well-known journalist and publisher who owned a
small press?
7. How many colonies
were there at this time?
8. How many copies of
the pamphlet were printed, sold, borrowed or
traded?
Comprehension
Questions
1. Why was everyone
excited as they walked down the streets of
Philadelphia?
2. Who did Walter say
he was going to give his copy of Common Sense
to after he was finished reading it? Where
did Walter get his copy of the book and who sold
it to him? Why were they all reading the same
copy?
3. Who else received
credit to for being the author and why?
In the News
Common Sense became
the same as a "modern-day best seller"
of its day. Look through the newspaper for book
reviews and advertisements. What are some of
today's best sellers? Find your local
newspaper: Link
to the directory of New Jersey newspapers OR Link
to the directory of Pennsylvania newspapers.
Take It to the Real
World
The author was actually a
new immigrant, an Englishmen, who had arrived in
Philadelphia on November 30, 1774. Immigration is
still an issue that is very much alive and in the
news. Look for any reference to immigrants and/or
immigration in today's paper. Photos, comics,
editorials, classified ads, etc. can also help.
Be sure to check it all out in today's newspaper!
Find your local newspaper: Link
to the directory of New Jersey newspapers OR Link
to the directory of Pennsylvania newspapers.
Make a Prediction
What was life like for
immigrants during this period of time? How do you
think you would have felt if you were the
immigrant arriving in Philadelphia in November,
1774?
Essay Questions
- Thomas
Paine's pamphlet was titled Common
Sense, and it made the argument for
the American colonies to declare
independence from England. What were some
reasons for American independence? Were
these reasons "common sense" to
the colonists? Why did Paine give his
pamphlet the name Common Sense?
- Common Sense was widely read
throughout the colonies and the author
mentioned that John Eshleman and Horace
Bancroft were laborers. Common Sense
became so popular in the colonies that
almost everyone who could read saw a
copy. What about the American Revolution
appealed to the average person?
Answers to Comprehensive Questions and
Recalling the Facts
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