Swiss Family Robinson Unit – Chapter 9
Chapter Eight entitled We Form a New Colony, continues the unit study of the Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss
For a complete copy of The Swiss Family Robinson online, check out http://www.ccel.org/w/wyss/swiss/swiss.html.
I’m adding a note here that will be true of all of the parts of this unit study. There are several versions of The Swiss Family Robinson. This started back to its original publication some 200 years ago when it was written originally in German. There are various translations and even alternate endings. The edition that I am using was published in 1968 by Classic Press, Inc. in Santa Rosa, California. Other editions may be different. There are several modern versions that have removed all references to prayer and God which are so prevalent a theme in the original work. You may use this unit as a guide, and if your edition of The Swiss Family Robinson is slightly different, simply adjust it to meet your needs.
Suggested Vocabulary:
verdure
crowbar
vitiated
signal rockets
impregnable
phenomenon
herring
seals
gypsum
potted
quail
rectilinear
goat
pliable
drawbridge
allusion
impetuous
cranes
sturgeons
salmon
trout
Suggested Questions:
1. Why do you think the Robinson family were so happy for the rainy season to end?
2. What did the damage to Falconhurst and Tentholm give father the impetus to do? [Answer: find safer, more stable winter quarters]
3. It was Fritz’s idea to try and hollow out some stone to make a winter cellar for their goods. What were they surprised by when they were trying to do this? [Answer: a cave behind the stone wall]
4. What were some of the things that the Robinson family did to make the cave more inhabitable and hospitable?
5. How did they feel about the cave in comparison to their tree home?
6. What is a “shoal of herrings” and why were the Robinson family so excited by it?
7. The Robinson family slaughtered some seals. Why? What use did they put them to? Remember this book was originally written over 200 years ago, times have changed.
8. There seemed to be such a wealth of animals and plants to harvest in this chapter and not all of them seemed to belong in the same area? Do you think it is possible to have all of the animals that have appeared thus far in the story live in the same area naturally?
9. Name some of the new plants and animals that the family makes use of in this chapter.
10. How did father make the floors of the cave nicer?
11. What kind of activities did they have during their party?
Suggested Activities:
1. Research how flax is turned into thread for weaving. Weave something that is decorative or useful.
2. Study caves.
3. Study crystals.
4. Fun Cave Diorama
5. Study herrings and how they can be useful to man. Find some recipes for herring or tasted pickled herring.
6. Study the process by which fish are caught and preserved for future use?
7. Learn how wild rice is grown and harvested. Try some wild rice by itself or mixed with regular rice or mixed into a casserole or other recipe.
8. Draw a picture or diagram of the new cave home that the Robinson family is creating.
Online Lessons:
http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/mvm/netlinks/1swiss/1swiss.html
Island Survival
http://www.penguinreaders.com/downloads/0582426642.pdf
Teach With Movies
Sites You May Find A Good Resource:
Swiss Family Robinson Fan Site
