By Sonia Levintin Cyberlesson created by Alyse Kerelejza

Materials Copies of “Boom Town” by Sonia Levintin Computer with Internet Access

Introduction Imagine you moved to a town far away that “was so sad and lonesome even your shadow ran off.” There is only one store and a few cabins. What would you do to pass the time? How could you try to change the town to make it more exciting? We will meet Amanda who changes a lonely town into a “Boom Town.”

Before Reading “Boom Town” by Sonia Levintin is historical fiction set in a boom town. We have been studying western expansion. Think about what you already know about how and why boom towns developed. Discuss this with a partner and click on the worksheet to type three facts about boom towns. Amanda is the main character in “Boom Town.” Like many pioneers, she is an entrepreneur. Click on entrepreneur to read the definition of the word.entrepreneur Do a picture walk and make a prediction about how Amanda’s entrepreneurship helps develop the boom town. Again, click on the worksheet to type your ideas.

During Reading While we read “Boom Town,” check your predictions about how Amanda’s business sparks the development of the town. You will complete a sequence chain as we read. If you are in Group A, click on the horses to link to the sequence chain. If you are in Group B, click on the wagon to link to the sequence chain. Did your prediction come true? Click on the worksheet to link back to your prediction and answer the question by choosing yes or no. If your answer is no, explain what was different.

After Reading Many entrepreneurs found success in boom towns during the gold rush. To read about these entrepreneurs, click on the jeans. Why jeans? You’ll understand after reading the article! Amanda is a young girl who starts a successful business. To read about other children entrepreneurs, click on the can. Why a can? Read to find out!

Now that you have learned more about pioneer entrepreneurs and child entrepreneurs, I have some questions for you to think about. Click on the picture below to read the questions and type your answers. Don’t forget to support your answers with information from the text! After Reading

Beyond Reading You have read about pioneer entrepreneurs and young entrepreneurs. Click on the hamburger. We will use this website as a guide to have a class discussion about additional interesting entrepreneurs. Now click on the computer to play a game and see what it would be like to be an entrepreneur.

Beyond Reading You have read about how Amanda’s business helped develop a boom town. You also read about pioneer entrepreneurs and student entrepreneurs. We have even explored and discussed the entrepreneur who started McDonald’s, and why ice cream cones were invented. Now it’s your turn to be an entrepreneur! Use the drawing tools in Microsoft Word to draw a picture of an idea you have to improve our community or school, or make students’ lives easier. After you have created your drawing, compose a poem or short song that could be used in an advertisement for your idea. Click on the piggy bank to get started.

Rubric Activity321 Before Reading: 3 Facts about Boom Towns Types 3 accurate facts about boom towns Types 1 or 2 accurate facts about boom towns Types inaccurate facts about boom towns Before Reading: Prediction Types a reasonable prediction and supports prediction with information from the picture walk Types a reasonable prediction but does not support it with information from the picture walk Types an unreasonable prediction and has no support from the picture walk During Reading: Sequence Chain and Prediction Confirmation Completes sequence chain with most important events from “Boom Town” and confirms prediction Completes sequence chain with some important events from “Boom Town” and confirms prediction Does not complete sequence chain and does not confirm prediction After Reading: Comprehension Questions Answers 2 questions with support from the text Answers 1 question with support from the text Answers 0 questions with support from the text Beyond Reading: Entrepreneur Website Discussion Fully participates in discussion with partner and class Limited participation in discussion with partner and class No participation in discussion with partner and class Beyond Reading: Idea Drawing Creates a clear depiction of an idea that will improve community, school, or students’ lives Creates a questionable depiction of an idea to improve community, school, or students’ lives Does not create a depiction of an idea to improve community, school, or students’ lives Beyond Reading: Poem or Song Composes a poem or song containing a clear explanation of idea drawing Composes a poem or song containing a partial explanation of idea drawing Does not compose a poem or song with an explanation of idea drawing

Credits Websites: Free Animation: Text: “Boom Town” by Sonia Levintin illustrated by Cat Bowman Smith