Suggested Activities Grades 9 - 12

Ideas to try….

Science and Technology
What causes storms on land and water? Research and describe the conditions that create hurricanes, cyclones, etc. What are the similarities and differences between land and water storms? How do they compare in frequency?
How are weather systems modeled and tracked today?
Learn about rescue technology used today.

English Language Arts
Create a story or play about two women meeting each other and describing their respective experiences at sea.
Write a newspaper story relating one of the incidents in this chapter, or create stories using social media formats.
Many novels and non-fiction works have been written about storms and other disasters at sea. Films have been created too. Choose some books to read and films to view, and then discuss with other students.
Write about one of the incidents in this chapter from a different perspective—a child, a crew member, or a rescuer.

Social Studies
The captains and their wives in this chapter were on merchant vessels. They were not military; their voyages were for trade. Learn more about the cargoes carried by Maine ships (see other web chapters on Life at Sea, Shipbuilding, Working the Bay, and Maine and the Orient.) Pick a country mentioned in this chapter and compare trade and trade products between it and the U.S. today and in the 19th century.
How are merchant captains trained today as compared to the 19th century? What roles do women fill at sea today?
Find the locations mentioned in this chapter on a world map or globe. Calculate distances from Maine.
Learn about Maine’s deep water ports in Portland, Searsport, and Eastport and what is happening there today.
Research the recent sinking of the Bounty, a replica square rigged vessel that was lost in 2012 during “superstorm” Sandy. Compare the rescue operations to some of the stories in this chapter.

Visual Arts
Pick one woman and illustrate her story using a variety of media.
Do some research about shipwrecks and storms depicted in works of art.
Try hand work, such as embroidery or making clothing.