Today in 1884 The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was published and was banned quickly. And because reading should be fun, I have a fun stem raft craft to go along with The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn homeschool literature.
Although the book is on the banned books lists by libraries, it is a book that many homeschoolers read.
If you had to read it in junior high or high school, like me you have preconceived ideas.
The book, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was written by Mark Twain at a time of racism and slavery. It was written pre-Civil War.
And although the folksy language, intentional misspellings and faulty grammar can be hard for a young reader, it can make for great discussions.
But I always encourage parents to read sites like Common Sense Media to get a quick review of books.
Ultimately, you are the one deciding if it’s appropriate for your family or not.
3 Questions for Literature Curriculum For Middle School
In addition, books can make it easier to explain to your children about sensitive subjects.
It gives them a safe environment to discuss their feelings.
Look at these questions which help to further the discussion
For example because Mark Twain uses language which is not appropriate for today what does this teach us about stereotyping.
Also, Jim and Huck have both ran away because of freedom. What is freedom and how are their journeys different?
Third, Huck flees from those who would civilize him. What is social acceptance? Is that a negative or positive thing?
These types of questions allow introductory literary analysis for homeschool literature at an age when your child is ready.
In addition, when you use lower grade level books for middle school, literary elements are easier to highlight.
However, when you add a hands-on element to any literature it makes the reading memorable.
Hands-on Literature Activities
Keep learning about and enjoying the treasure of Mark Twain’s legacy by adding one or more of these activities to the reading of the book:
- After reading the book, watch The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn on Amazon or you can also catch it on Disney+.
- Have your child locate Missouri on a map where Huck Finn takes place.
- Encourage your child to draw a rough map of Missouri and use a blue marker to show where the Mississippi River runs through it.
- Mighty Mississippi minibook & Sediment Activity
- Build a stem raft (instructions below) and see how much weight it can hold.
- Create a book club in your co-op to share thoughts, themed snacks, and read a louds with.
“What’s the use of learning to do right when it’s troublesome to do right and ain’t no trouble to do wrong, and the wages is just the same?”
Besides doing a hands-on activity, you can focus on an author study or do it simultaneously with reading the story.
Mark Twain Facts
- Samuel Langhorne Clemens was born on November 30, 1835, in Florida, Missouri.
- Huckleberry Finn was based on a real person, an older boy that Twain knew while he was growing up.
- Mark Twain, besides being a famous writer, had a career as a riverboat captain.
- Twain has no direct living descendants even though he had 4 children. One of his children died as a toddler, two more died in their twenties. And the grandchildren from the fourth child passed away without children.
- He quit school after 5th grade to become a printer’s apprentice but continued to love learning throughout his life in the library and through life experiences. He was a big critic of the school system of his time.
- It took Twain 7 years to complete The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
More Homeschool Literature Resources
Back when I read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn I imagined Huck floating down the river, free as a bird on a raft.
I think about this part “One night we catched a little section of a lumber raft—nice pine planks. It was twelve foot wide and about fifteen or sixteen foot long, and the top stood above the water six or seven inches.”
We could assume that their raft was made of small logs lashed together.
But it was actually a lumber raft made of boards.
In spite of that, I think making a rustic raft would be fun.
Too, I really enjoy these Classic Starts versions of the books for younger readers.
Additionally, if a child is struggling with reading a longer version they are perfect since they’re shorter.
Moreover, they have a few black and white illustrations which keeps it interesting.
Further, here are some more literature resources.
- How to Transition a Child From Reading to Literature
- 12 Great Options of High School Literature Curriculum
- Best Homeschool High School Literature Suggestions For Teens
- Modern U.S. and World History High School Literature
- 3 Beginner’s Tips: Homeschool High School Literature
Finally, look below at this fun raft stem craft.
How to Make a Huck Finn Raft
You will need:
- Small sticks or popsicle sticks
- Twine
- Bucket or tub
- loppers/pruners/trimmers
- Water
- Rocks or something with weight
First, to create a raft from sticks you first want to gather a bunch together of roughly the same diameter.
Next, decide how wide you want your raft to be. And then cut two of the twigs down to that length, these will be the brace pieces underneath
Third, choose your length and cut enough sticks with the shrub trimmers to go across the width of your brace pieces.
Grab one brace and one of your longer sticks and start wrapping it around both like this.
Add another stick and continue in the same way until you have reached the end. Be sure to move each stick as close together as possible.
Lay your second brace piece underneath the opposite end and lash each cross piece to it.
Tie your ends off tightly and cut off excess.
If you choose to do this activity with popsicle sticks you can build it in pretty much in the same fashion with the two cross pieces underneath but use hot glue to hold it together in place of string.
When your raft is done, float it in a small bucket or tub. Then add a rock or something else with a little heft to it, does it still float? If not this is a great learning opportunity to figure out why.
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