Discussion questions & activities for More Than Grit:

Chapter One

Discuss:

  1. Psychologists suggest there are two common reactions to fear, fight or flight. When you are afraid, how to you respond? Why?
  2. Explain what President Roosevelt meant by “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Do you agree or disagree with this? Why?
  3. What is courage? What causes or helps a person to be brave?
  4. What motivated Sissy to pick apples even though she was supposed to stay away from Old Man Morton? How do you determine if there’s a situation in which a rule should be broken?

Activities:

  1. Make applesauce: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/51301/sarahs-applesauce/
  2. Write a descriptive paragraph of Sissy or Old Man Morton.

Chapter Two

Discuss:

  1. Sissy is self-conscious of her scars. What other “scars” make us uncomfortable? What advice would you give her?

Activities:

  1. Listen to this historical broadcast of Germany’s invasion of Poland: https://www.history.com/speeches/germany-invades-poland
  2. List all the items in your home that require electricity.

Chapter Three

Discuss:

  1. Would you support Sissy for kicking Harold? Why? Why not?

Activities:

  1. Write a letter with advice on how to respond to a bully.
  2. The Lizzie Borden rhyme became popular as newspapers reported Borden’s gruesome murders. List popular slogans, phrases, rhymes, slang, that circulate today.

Chapter Four

Discuss:

  1. How can doubts hold a person back? What are the hardest obstacles to overcome?
  2. When have you had gumption?

Activity:

  1. Research and compare the cost of items during 1939 to today. To get you started: https://www.thepeoplehistory.com/70yearsofpricechange.html
  2. https://www.reference.com/history/much-did-things-cost-1939-9e851dc3c362a39c

Chapter Five:

Discuss:

  1. Sissy’s family depends upon the radio for news. What are today’s news sources? ‘
  2. What is propaganda? Is it different from fake news? How does propaganda spread? How can a person discern between what is the truth and fake news or propaganda?
  3. Nazi propaganda operated on the theory that people will believe a lie if it is repeated enough. Do you think this is possible? What lies did Hitler promote as truth?

Activities:

  1. List the ways the Nazi spread its propaganda. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/nazi-propaganda
  2. Learn a simple embroidery stitch: https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/stitches-every-embroiderer-should-know-4122123

Chapter Six

Discuss:

  1. When have you not trusted someone? Do others need to earn our trust?
  2. What is prejudice? What stereotypes contribute to prejudice?

Activities:

  1. Different indigenous people groups lived in various regions. Research the native Americans who lived in your state.
  2. Create a timeline of important historical events that occurred in your state.

Chapter Seven

Discuss:

  1. What makes a strong friendship?
  2. Why do you think the Wizard of Oz was so successful and became a classic movie which is still enjoyed today? What movies are popular today? Why?

Activities:

  1. Write a movie review. Critique the plot, actors and setting. Include both positive and negative statments and back them up with examples that support your opinions.
  2. After you have finished More Than Grit, post a review on Amazon or email your thoughts about the book to me. Contact info is on the “About the Author” page.

Chapter Eight

Discuss:

  1. How can fear cloud a person’s judgment?
  2. Give examples of how situations or events in the past have affected you.
  3. Respond to Winston Churchill’s statement: “There is no time for ease and comfort. It is time to dare and endure.” Would you prefer ease and comfort or adventure and risk? Why?

Activity:

  1. History records regional and global pandemics or deadly diseases, including: The Black Plague, The Spanish Influenza, Small Pox, Polio, Ebola, Swine Flu, and Covid. Research two and compare their impact.

Chapter Nine

Discuss:

  1. What influence do Sissy and Lizzie have on each other? How do you influence or challenge others?
  2. What makes people feel jealous?
  3. What do you wish for that seems impossible?

Activity:

  1. Research or read about an inventor (for example: Thomas Edison or the Wright brothers). What obstacles did they have to overcome? How many years did it take for their invention to succeed?

Chapter Ten

Discuss:

  1. Sissy’s family ate mystery soup once a week. What have you gone without? What is the difference between something we need and something we want?
  2. Even close friends don’t confide everything. Why not? What would be difficult to tell a friend?

Activities:

  1. Write an editorial that responds to Hitler’s vision to create a master Aryan race.
  2. Pretend you are Winston Churchill and write a speech that will unite an rally England to fight Germany.

Chapter Eleven

Discuss:

  1. When should secrets not be kept? Can a secret become a lie?
  2. Why did Sissy cut her braids?
  3. How have friends supported you? How have you helped others?

Activity:

  1. Thank two individuals who have helped you.

Chapter Twelve

Discuss:

  1. When should a person fight versus walk away?
  2. Describe a situation in which you showed courage.
  3. How can a person reach a goal?

Activity:

  1. Write down a specific goal and list the steps you will take to accomplish it.

Chapter Thirteen

Discuss:

  1. How can a family name help or hinder a person?
  2. How has your family name affected you? If you could change your name, what would it be?

Activity:

  1. Help someone with a project.

Chapter Fourteen

Discuss:

Activity:

  1. Winston Churchill said, “We are masters of unsaid words, but slaves of those we let slip out.” What does this mean? Give examples of how this is true.
  2. How was Old Man’s friendship with Henry Johnson similar to Sissy’s friendship with Lizzie Osterhagen?
  3. How are you different from your friends? How are you similar? Do you enjoy individuals who are different from yourself?

Activity:

  1. Write a short biographical essay on Henry Johnson. Include information about the medal of honor awarded him by President Barack Obama.
  2. Watch this five minute historical documentary on the Harlem Hellfighters

Chapter Fifteen

Discuss:

  1. Give examples from your life or history which support each of these points: 1. Success is not final. 2. Failure is not fatal. 3. It’s courage to continue that counts.
  2. Why doesn’t Sissy tell her parents about Harold? What would you tell her to do? Why?

Activity:

  1. Review the separation of power among the three branches of the United State government. (Executive, Judicial, Legislative). Write a paragraph to explain how this structure helps keep a balance of power.
  2. Would you have supported President Roosevelt’s proposal to change the date for Thanksgiving? Why or why not?
  3. Research: What are Presidential Executive Orders and explain how they are different from laws.

Chapter Sixteen

Discuss:

  1. Many individuals want to choose their friends. A small one-room school didn’t have many students. What is the difference between being a friend and picking a friend? What draws you into friendship?
  2. Are all friendships good?

Activity:

  1. Winston Churchill stated, “Continuous effort–not strength or intelligence–is the key to unlocking our potential.” List your interests and talents. What requires practice? Write down what you will do to unlock your potential.

Chapter Seventeen

Discuss:

  1. Why is Sissy frustrated with Lizzie and Pap?
  2. How do you respond to others when their perspective and opinions differ from yours?

Activity:

  1. Politicians continue to debate how and when our country should be involved in international matters. As events unfold and situations change, many questions are raised. Should the US give financial aid? Import or export goods? Provide military weapons or troops? Should the US approve of or support other world leaders or rebel groups? Make a list of guiding principles or key factors for creating international policies. For example: Would the action or policy put national security at risk.

Chapter Eighteen

Discuss:

  1. Is Sissy foolish to push herself to work for Old Man and try to earn the deposit money? How do you know when to let go of a dream and pursue something else?
  2. Sissy created a game and entertained Ronnie with buttons. What made-up games and activities did you enjoy as a child?

Activities:

  1. The bombing of Pearl Harbor brought the United States into World War II. Military troops fought in two arenas, the Pacific and European. Research either the invasion of Iwo Jima or D-Day.
  2. Thank a veteran for serving our country.

Chapter Nineteen

Discuss:

  1. Churchill stated, “It’s not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what is required.” What did he mean? Should students be graded according to their academic ability or their effort? Should athletic awards only be given to winners? Which is more important, effort or accomplishment?
  2. How do you measure “best”?

Activity:

  1. Sew on a button.

Chapter Twenty

Discuss:

  1. List categories of ways people can help others. For example: teaching, giving money, fixing something…
  2. Describe a situation in which a friend(s) surprised and helped you.

Activity:

  1. Read about a deadly blizzard that trapped students in one-room-schools.  Schoolhouse Blizzard – Wikipedia 

Chapter Twenty-one

Discuss:

  1. Have you ever been afraid for your life? Share the experience.
  2. What gives you strength to never give up?
  3. When have you given up? Do you regret it, or was it the right decision?
  4. When plans fail, what or who do you trust?

Activity:

  1. Read the historical fiction novel, The Children’s Blizzard, by Melanie Benjamin. This novel is for young adult and adult readers.

Chapter Twenty-two

Discuss:

  1. Sissy blames herself that Old Man is in the hospital. What would you tell her?
  2. Can you think of examples of different types of guilt? Do you agree with the following statement? True guilt comes when you are responsible for the action or event that occurred. False or inappropriate guilt comes when you feel responsible for a particular event, when you had no power or control over the outcome. 

Activity:

  1. Write a letter to a family member and tell them how they have made your life rich.

Chapter Twenty-three

Discuss:

  1. If you were Sissy, how would you handle Lizzie’s betrayal?
  2. How does Father’s statement “any animal caught in a trap turns fierce to survive” apply to Harold?
  3. Think of persons who have “risen above” their situations. (Examples: Helen Keller, Anne Frank)

Activity:

  1. Make a list of good character qualities that can be formed through hard situations.

Chapter Twenty-four

Discuss:

  1. What part of your life is dictated by necessity or routine?
  2. How do you encourage others to keep going when they face difficult situations?
  3. Why did Sissy turn off radio and not want to listen to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow?”
  4. What does not encourage you when circumstances are hard?

Activity:

  1. Make a snowflake: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U32IwBAh1OU
  1. Check out paper art: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdzz8F78BJc

Chapter Twenty-five

Discuss:

  1. Read the chapter quote. What have Americans accomplished that was thought impossible?
  2. How has the relationship between Old Man and Sissy changed? How has it remained the same?
  3. How did Sissy inspire men to dig up the telephone poles? (In the Historical References section, under the heading of Family notes, read about the removal of the telephone poles.)

Activity:

  1. Walk one mile. How long did it take you? Look up the number of feet and yards in a mile.

Chapter Twenty-six

Discuss:

  1. Why is Sissy unwilling to accept Harold’s apologies? Should she?

Activity:

  1. Read the history of gingerbread.  https://www.marthastewart.com/1523540/gingerbread-holiday-history
  2. Bake gingerbread cookies. https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/gingerbread-cookies-recipe

Chapter Twenty-seven

Discuss:

  1. Why didn’t Father tell Sissy earlier about Dewey Dog?
  2. When is it best to withhold information? When is it harmful?
  3. What is the best way to handle regret?

Activity:

  1. Read about the origin of Christmas trees and Christmas gifts: https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/2008/december/why-do-we-have-christmas-trees.html

Chapter Twenty-eight

Discuss:

  1. What is the difference between deserving and earning?
  2. What gifts does Sissy receive? What has she given others?
  3. How does a person forgive?
  4. What gift have you been excited to give?

Activities:

  1. Prepare a meal and eat by candlelight.
  2. Make something for a gift.
  3. Read “The Author’s Note” and the final page “About the Author.” Send an email to Gretchen

If you prefer these chapter questions and activities to be emailed as an attachment, contact me at: gretchencarlsonwriter@gmail.com