©
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
7 - Exiled Patriots Hatch a Plot
Vocabulary
moored - verb;
tied to with lines or anchors
outlandish - adjective;
strikingly out of the ordinary
gallants - noun;
young men of fashion
harmonious - adjective;
musically agreeable combination of tones
ditty - noun;
a simple, genuine song
jerkin - noun;
a close-fitting sleeveless jacket
clatter - noun;
a rattling sound
espied - verb;
to catch sight of, behold, see, perceive, or
notice
tither - noun;
a tenth part paid or given especially for the
support of a church
motley - adjective;
made up of diverse often inconsistent or odd
elements
routed - verb;
to send by a selected route or to arrange and
direct the order of
despised - adjective;
looked down upon with contempt or aversion:
regarded as worthless
score - noun;
a group of twenty things
mischief - noun;
a cause or source of harm or evil
staves - noun;
narrow strips of wood or iron plates placed edge
to edge to form the covering or lining of a
barrel
hoops - noun;
a circular ring for holding together the narrow
strips of a container
Recalling the Facts
1. What was Francis
Hopkins' humorous song-poem entitled?
2. Down which river
were the kegs being sent?
3. What did the
colonists hope would happen?
4. During which year
did the Battle of the Kegs supposedly take place?
5. To what tune is
the "Battle of the Kegs" sung?
6. Near which city
did these strange things happen?
7. Who did the sailor
say was the guide of the wooden kegs?
8. Who were the
powerful foes of the colonists?
9. What did the
"men of might" eat after the battle was
over?
Comprehension
Questions
1. Explain what is
meant by the line, "Strange things I'll
tell, which late befell in Philadelphia
city."
2. Why is this story
being retold? Why did they decide to make it a
"harmonious ditty?"
In the News
Songs and poems are often
written about interesting events, just as
"The Battle of the Kegs" humorously
depicts a plot devised by the colonists to fight
the British. Look through the newspaper for an
interesting story. Write a brief poem or pick a
simple tune and write some lyrics that describe
the story you chose. Try to add a bit of humor to
your poem or song. 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
Sometimes far-fetched or
unusual ideas turn out to be very successful and
at other times they just don't work. Scan the
newspaper for an article or a cartoon about a new
idea or concept. Do you think the idea will have
a lasting impact on history, or do you think it
will quickly be forgotten? Defend your answer. Find
your local newspaper: Link
to the directory of New Jersey newspapers OR Link
to the directory of Pennsylvania newspapers.
Make a Prediction
Once the war is over, what
do you think Thomas Paine will do?
Essay Questions
- Describe
what was happening in the song. Where the
rebels successful? How do you know?
- The
attack described in the song would be
considered a terrorist attack today. Were
the conspirators terrorists?
Answers to Comprehensive Questions and
Recalling the Facts
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