1. Vocabulary Chapters 1 – 4 RL 5.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in text.

2.  Determine the meaning of the following word:  “Make a poultice of chokeberries and rub it on your neck three times a day.”  What text clues helped you?  Poultice – A soft, heated mass that contains medicine and is spread on cloth and placed on the skin to heal a sore or relieve pain.

3.  “He used to slip a packet of pills under the table, too – pills that really worked. Anymore, though, he just gave the folk remedy.”  How did you determine the meaning?  Remedy – A medicine or treatment that cures or relieves.

4.  “Jessie stopped at the well to wash her hands. Pa, heading from the barn to the forge stepped behind her.”  What do you think a forge means in this sentence? Can you describe one?  Forge – A place with a furnace where metal is shaped by heating and hammering.

5.  “Some weren’t willing to live so primitively.”  Have any of you ever been camping? Have you seen a sign that says “Primitive Camping”? What does that mean?  Primitively – of or belonging to very early times. Usually referring to a lack of luxury.

6.  “It scared Jessie that Ma sounded so solemn.”  How would a mother’s voice sound if it is solemn.  When would an adult use a solemn voice?  Solemn – very serious or formal in manner, behavior, and expression.

7.  “Mr. Benton came out and nailed a paper sign to the door. It had one word that Jessie could barely make it out in the light: QUARANTINE.”  Have any of you heard this word before?  Quarantine – the isolation of people, animals, or things (like plants) to prevent the spread of disease or pests.

8.  “I’m afraid she is sick, it’s a disease called Diphtheria.”  Do you think this is a deadly disease?  Do you think the disease is contagious? Why?  Diphtheria – a contagious disease that makes breathing and swallowing difficult.

9.  “Jessie felt her anger ebb.”  What could it mean that the anger started to ebb? Describe how you are when you are angry.  Ebb – to diminish or lessen in intensity

10.  “As they lurched past the Websters’ house, Jessie saw there was no quarantine sign on the door.”  Have you ever lurched? When?  Lurched – to move with a sudden, swaying, jerking motion.

11.  “We implore you, Lord, to keep our village and family safe from any sickness abroad in the land.”  What is the person doing in this quote?  Implore – to make a very serious and emotional request.