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Murphy, J. (2003). An American plague: The true and terrifying story of the yellow fever epidemic of 1793. New York, NY: Clarion Books. ISBN: 0-395-77608-2
Genre: Non-fiction
Grade Level: 6-8
Awards: Newbery Honor Book, National Book Award Finalist, The Robert F. Sibert Medal
Summary: This book details the yellow fever epidemic that affected Philadelphia in 1793. Murphy not only highlights the medical ideas that were held about the epidemic, but also focuses on the people who worked to eliminate the illness. One group who helped countless number of Philadelphia residents was the Free African Society, who provided a number of nurses and to the cause. In addition, the work of numerous doctors, like Benjamin Rush, is focused upon in this fantastic retelling of history.
Activity: Throughout the book, the yellow fever epidemic is the focus. However, numerous pandemics have swept the world throughout history. Have students select a epidemic/pandemic that is of interest to them and then have them research it.
Some examples of epidemics/ pandemics to research:
-The Athenian Plague (found in Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War)
-The Bubonic Plague of Europe ( “Black Death”)
-The Ebola Outbreak (2014)
-Spanish Influenza (1918)
- 1854 Broad Street Cholera Outbreak
- Russian Plague of 1771
-Asian Flu Pandemic of 1957
-Smallpox Epidemic in India 1974
-Hong Kong Flu of 1968
-HIV/AIDS Epidemic
-Avian Flu Pandemic 1997
-Swine Flu 2009
- Smallpox Epidemics among Native American populations
- Measles Outbreak 2015
- Diphtheria Outbreak (Alaska 1925)
Students should write on their epidemic/ pandemic using the following guiding questions:
What epidemic did they choose and why? What disease occurred during their epidemic? How many people died because of it? What caused the disease to reach an epidemic state? Who were influential people in learning to understand the disease and what did they do? Were there any people who helped care for the sick? How did the disease affect the city/ country/ world? Are there any lasting effects of this epidemic? Was any literature written concerning the epidemic?
After writing their paper, students should present their paper by reading it to the class.
Original Activity by Ellen Bryce
Genre: Non-fiction
Grade Level: 6-8
Awards: Newbery Honor Book, National Book Award Finalist, The Robert F. Sibert Medal
Summary: This book details the yellow fever epidemic that affected Philadelphia in 1793. Murphy not only highlights the medical ideas that were held about the epidemic, but also focuses on the people who worked to eliminate the illness. One group who helped countless number of Philadelphia residents was the Free African Society, who provided a number of nurses and to the cause. In addition, the work of numerous doctors, like Benjamin Rush, is focused upon in this fantastic retelling of history.
Activity: Throughout the book, the yellow fever epidemic is the focus. However, numerous pandemics have swept the world throughout history. Have students select a epidemic/pandemic that is of interest to them and then have them research it.
Some examples of epidemics/ pandemics to research:
-The Athenian Plague (found in Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War)
-The Bubonic Plague of Europe ( “Black Death”)
-The Ebola Outbreak (2014)
-Spanish Influenza (1918)
- 1854 Broad Street Cholera Outbreak
- Russian Plague of 1771
-Asian Flu Pandemic of 1957
-Smallpox Epidemic in India 1974
-Hong Kong Flu of 1968
-HIV/AIDS Epidemic
-Avian Flu Pandemic 1997
-Swine Flu 2009
- Smallpox Epidemics among Native American populations
- Measles Outbreak 2015
- Diphtheria Outbreak (Alaska 1925)
Students should write on their epidemic/ pandemic using the following guiding questions:
What epidemic did they choose and why? What disease occurred during their epidemic? How many people died because of it? What caused the disease to reach an epidemic state? Who were influential people in learning to understand the disease and what did they do? Were there any people who helped care for the sick? How did the disease affect the city/ country/ world? Are there any lasting effects of this epidemic? Was any literature written concerning the epidemic?
After writing their paper, students should present their paper by reading it to the class.
Original Activity by Ellen Bryce