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Background Information
Life as We Knew It, an apocalyptic novel by Susan Beth Pfeffer, tells the story of a cataclysmic astronomical event that threatens the existence of all humankind. Told through the diary entries of a 16-year-old girl, the plot revolves around the struggle of a rural Pennsylvania family to survive an asteroid strike on the moon. With the moon’s orbit altered, people must now contend with global climate change, numerous natural disasters, and food shortages.
Natural Disasters:
Hurricane Katrina--http://www.history.com/topics/hurricane-katrina
Japanese Earthquake/Tsunami 2011--https://www.livescience.com/39110-japan-2011-earthquake-tsunami-facts.html
Mount St. Helens (volcano)--https://www.livescience.com/27553-mount-st-helens-eruption.html
Response to Natural Disasters:
In emergency situations, some people adopt a “survival of the fittest” attitude while others react with charity and compassion. Why do people react so differently? How do you think you would react in a similar situation?
Natural Disasters that appear or are discussed in the book:
Natural Disasters:
Hurricane Katrina--http://www.history.com/topics/hurricane-katrina
Japanese Earthquake/Tsunami 2011--https://www.livescience.com/39110-japan-2011-earthquake-tsunami-facts.html
Mount St. Helens (volcano)--https://www.livescience.com/27553-mount-st-helens-eruption.html
Response to Natural Disasters:
In emergency situations, some people adopt a “survival of the fittest” attitude while others react with charity and compassion. Why do people react so differently? How do you think you would react in a similar situation?
Natural Disasters that appear or are discussed in the book:
- Tsunami
- Flood
- Volcanoes
- Earthquake
- Drought
- Temperature change
- Nuclear Power Plant
Reading Schedule/Deadlines
Wednesday, August 21: Chapters 1-5 (Spring)
Wednesday, September 4: Chapters 6-10 (Summer)
Monday, September 16: Chapters 11-17 (Fall)
Thursday, September 26: Final Test
Wednesday, September 4: Chapters 6-10 (Summer)
Monday, September 16: Chapters 11-17 (Fall)
Thursday, September 26: Final Test
Themes
- Courage
- Friendship
- Survival
- Faith
Characters
Miranda Evans: She is the main character, or protagonist, in the story. This 16-year-old teenage girl is described as skinny due to the lack of food, with green eyes and brown hair. The young adult lives with her two brothers, Matt and Jonny Evans, and her mom. Throughout the novel, Miranda clearly assesses the situations around her and is sensible about it. She cares about her family and goes through phases that normal teenagers don’t happen to reckon. Although she argues with her mom a lot, Miranda doesn’t complain about what she has and thus is a thankful child. She usually doesn’t loose her temper unless she is extremely concerned about someone or something.
Matt Evans: The 19-year-old teenage boy is described as muscular, tall, and skinny, also due to the lack of food. He is the oldest child in the family and was in college when the asteroid struck the moon. Known to be the “dad” of the house, he cares for his family, especially his little sister Miranda, and helps her with her problems. He rarely complains or whines and does several of the household chores, like cutting wood for kindling, for his family.
Mom (Laura; Mrs. Evans): She is a caring, deprived-of-food mother, who will even use her last source energy to nurture her children. She sacrifices her food for them and doesn’t like it when they bicker. She never gets mad at Jonny or matt, but mostly gets furious at Miranda for yelling at her.
Jonny Evans: Miranda’s youngest brother who dreams of becoming a baseball player. He doesn’t realize his family has full faith on him to survive the disaster, and becomes annoyed when he realizes they are starving themselves.
Ms. Nesbitt: An old lady who is considered to be part of the Evan family. She tended Miranda’s mother since she was a young child, and her love for the family has grown over the years. Before she dies of cold, she tells Miranda to strip her house of any items useful for survival and Miranda collects Ms. Nesbitt’s well water.
Dad: He is divorced to Mrs. Evans, Miranda’s mom. He remarried a young women named Lisa.
Lisa: Miranda’s stepmother who becomes pregnant. She and Miranda’s dad ask her to be the baby’s godmother.
Megan: Miranda’s overly religious friend. After their best friend Becky passes away, her interest towards Church increased. She begins to starve herself at the beginning of the moon incident because her pastor told her that God is punishing sinful humans and eventually dies, praying to go to Heaven.
Sammi: Another of Miranda’s friends who is a “player” and has had numerous boyfriends and tends to fight with her friend, Megan, frequently, who believes she is living an immoral life. Shortly after the incident, she leaves with her 40-year-old boyfriend George down to Dallas and gets pregnant.
Becky: Miranda, Megan, and Sammi’s best friend who dies of cancer and is the initial bond between the friends. Miranda often pictures her in her dreams.
Peter: Miranda’s mom’s boyfriend who is a doctor. He works at the hospital saving people’s lives during the flue season, but dies alongside with them several months later.
Horton: The Evan family’s cat who adores Jonny and originally runs away when Miranda opens the front door. However, he returns home anyways.
Dan: Miranda and him have a short affair while they go swimming at the local pond, Miller’s pond. He leaves to California soon after discovering his sister, who lives there, is dead.
Brandon: An ice-skater, from their town in Howell, Pennsylvania, who is training for the Olympics. Miranda idolizes him and she follows him on his fan page. She meets him at the ice rink and skates with him shortly.
Reverend Marshall: The pastor at Megan’s church who tells his Congregation that for God to sustain them, they must repay him with food to thank him for his preaching, which is a completely false notion. This angers Miranda, since he has more food to eat than anyone else.
Matt Evans: The 19-year-old teenage boy is described as muscular, tall, and skinny, also due to the lack of food. He is the oldest child in the family and was in college when the asteroid struck the moon. Known to be the “dad” of the house, he cares for his family, especially his little sister Miranda, and helps her with her problems. He rarely complains or whines and does several of the household chores, like cutting wood for kindling, for his family.
Mom (Laura; Mrs. Evans): She is a caring, deprived-of-food mother, who will even use her last source energy to nurture her children. She sacrifices her food for them and doesn’t like it when they bicker. She never gets mad at Jonny or matt, but mostly gets furious at Miranda for yelling at her.
Jonny Evans: Miranda’s youngest brother who dreams of becoming a baseball player. He doesn’t realize his family has full faith on him to survive the disaster, and becomes annoyed when he realizes they are starving themselves.
Ms. Nesbitt: An old lady who is considered to be part of the Evan family. She tended Miranda’s mother since she was a young child, and her love for the family has grown over the years. Before she dies of cold, she tells Miranda to strip her house of any items useful for survival and Miranda collects Ms. Nesbitt’s well water.
Dad: He is divorced to Mrs. Evans, Miranda’s mom. He remarried a young women named Lisa.
Lisa: Miranda’s stepmother who becomes pregnant. She and Miranda’s dad ask her to be the baby’s godmother.
Megan: Miranda’s overly religious friend. After their best friend Becky passes away, her interest towards Church increased. She begins to starve herself at the beginning of the moon incident because her pastor told her that God is punishing sinful humans and eventually dies, praying to go to Heaven.
Sammi: Another of Miranda’s friends who is a “player” and has had numerous boyfriends and tends to fight with her friend, Megan, frequently, who believes she is living an immoral life. Shortly after the incident, she leaves with her 40-year-old boyfriend George down to Dallas and gets pregnant.
Becky: Miranda, Megan, and Sammi’s best friend who dies of cancer and is the initial bond between the friends. Miranda often pictures her in her dreams.
Peter: Miranda’s mom’s boyfriend who is a doctor. He works at the hospital saving people’s lives during the flue season, but dies alongside with them several months later.
Horton: The Evan family’s cat who adores Jonny and originally runs away when Miranda opens the front door. However, he returns home anyways.
Dan: Miranda and him have a short affair while they go swimming at the local pond, Miller’s pond. He leaves to California soon after discovering his sister, who lives there, is dead.
Brandon: An ice-skater, from their town in Howell, Pennsylvania, who is training for the Olympics. Miranda idolizes him and she follows him on his fan page. She meets him at the ice rink and skates with him shortly.
Reverend Marshall: The pastor at Megan’s church who tells his Congregation that for God to sustain them, they must repay him with food to thank him for his preaching, which is a completely false notion. This angers Miranda, since he has more food to eat than anyone else.
Guided Reading Questions
lawki--guided_questions--spring.pdf | |
File Size: | 81 kb |
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lawki--guided_questions--summer.pdf | |
File Size: | 80 kb |
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lawki--guided_questions--fall.pdf | |
File Size: | 78 kb |
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lawki--guided_questions--winter.pdf | |
File Size: | 79 kb |
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