Muir Discussion, Five Huge Solid Hours

Use Wild Scotland before reading, then the discussion sheets in chapter order. The film script and research sheets work well as end of unit projects.

Quote how young Muir resists his father's strict bedtime rule and why one o'clock felt like a treasure. The directions on the page read: Read this Chapter VII passage by John Muir. Answer the questions on page 2. An answer key is included.

Yes, both. We made it for 8th grade novel studies, and it works the same at home or at school. At home, a student can work through it alone and then go over it with you, which shows quickly what is solid and what needs another look. In class it works as independent practice, homework or a warm-up, and you can print one copy or a full set.

It is John Muir's memoir of his childhood in Scotland, his family's move to a Wisconsin farm in 1849, his hard farm work and his inventions, and his years at the University. It ends as he sets out for what he calls the University of the Wilderness.

Muir uses the phrase in the last chapter as he leaves the University of Wisconsin, and students explain what kind of school he means. Muir Response, The University of the Wilderness asks students to explain the phrase and the book's central idea.

Muir rose at one o'clock to build inventions such as clocks, made his own saw and compasses from scraps, and got his first botany lesson from a fellow student. Research Water and Wind Power With Muir's Tools asks students to explain how gears connect to a generator and plan a 3 slide report.