Teacher's Guide for DIG ^TM U.S. Shipwrecks

Extended Response: Comprehension & Critical Thinking

The questions below can be used as written, simply answered in complete sentences, or easily transformed into longer essay (ELA) style questions, or even research topics. In any case, have the students support their answers with details from the text or use critical thinking skills to create a thorough and interesting answer. Consider the level of your students when deciding how to use the questions. The questions for each lesson can be found under the article's title below, and the answers for the short response questions are on the last page of the guide.

"Betsy's Royal Duty" p. 6-8

1. Where was Betsy discovered in 1978?
2. Explain why the excavation process for this ship was so unique.
3. How did the collection of clues on the ship help archeologists determine the true identity of 44YO88?
4. What type of ship was Betsy and what did Captain Younghusband use it for?
5. Explain how and why Betsy's job changed in 1780.
6. Why did Cornwallis order Betsy to be sunk?

"Cargo Tales" p. 10-11

1. What was Weinstein interested in finding out about Betsy?
2. How did Weinstein begin searching through the contents of the wreckage?
3. What findings did he use to assess what Betsy's purpose was?
4. What did Weinstein discover about the wine bottles?

"Above and Below" p. 12-13

Mark the statements True or False. If the answer is false, provide the word that would make the statement correct.

____1.	NOAA are initials for National Oceanic and Atlantic Administration.
____2.	Activities were conducted from a large steel barge that was held in place over 'Monitor' by 8 anchors.
____3.	The barge had more than 400 divers, archeologists and support personnel.
____4.	Diving teams worked in 12-hour shifts.
____5.	Saturation divers lived inside a pressurized steel chamber on the barge for the entire expedition.
____6.	A team of topside people that included standby divers and specially trained military personnel supported each diver.
____7.	Every dive followed a similar routine. Once medical testes were completed, divers began working.
____8.	When divers took measurements or excavated, those topside noted all findings in logbooks.
____9.	Often, the work was frustratingly slow.
____10.	On August 5, 2003, 'Monitor's turret, with guns and hundreds of artifacts, was lifted to the surface and placed on the barge.

"Hoof Beats Across the Water" p. 16-19

1. What is so unusual about the wooden shipwreck that lies in Burlington Bay, VT?
   PROJECT: Work with a small group to create your own unusually powered ferry. Include details and a sketch.
2. Write a paragraph about each of the discovered shipwreck: Phoenix, Spitfire, Troy, Eclipse and Eagle. Include some facts from the article and add some of your own details. (Underline the FACTS.)
3. Draw a picture and explain how the horse-powered ferry worked.
4. Make a pro/con list of horse ferry vs. steamboat.

"Excavating Hunley" p. 20-23

1. What political situation was taking place in the U.S. in mid 1860s?
2. Explain how the H.L. Hunley operated and what it was used for.
3. Why were Housatonic and Hunley well preserved?
4. After reading the article, write your own theory on why you think the Hunley sank.

"Getting into Hot Water While Diving" p. 24
Read the sentences and choose the correct answer. Notice the word NOT.

1. Which is NOT a problem faced by divers?
   1. air to breathe
   2. cramping
   3. low temperatures
2. Which is NOT a type of diving suit?
   1. dry suit
   2. hot water suit
   3. gel suit
3. Which is NOT a negative of the hot water suit?
   1. decreased diving time
   2. possible scalding
   3. possibly harmful water

"Exploring the Steamship, Portland" p. 26-27
Read the sentences below and fill in the blank with the correct answer.

1. On November 26, 1898, the side paddle-wheel steamship, _____________________, left Boston, Mass. with about 190 passengers.



2. ______________________took the steamship out into Mass. Bay unaware of the approaching storm.



3. In 1989, explorers from HMGNE used______________________________ technology to locate Portland 300 feet below the surface.



4. The HMGNE explorers closely guarded Portland's ________________________until 2002, when they released the coordinates to the sanctuary's staff.



5. The ROV video camera revealed that the storm had ripped off the steamship's _______________________.

"Ship Sites" p. 28-29
Sunken Numbers: After reading the article, supply the statement with the correct number answer to fill in the blank.

1. Treasure fleet disasters caused by storms occurred off the coast of Florida in what 3 years? ______________________________________



2. How many years apart were the shipwrecks of Urca de Lima and San Pedro?______________



3. How many large ships, propelled by sail, paddle-wheel or steam, date from 1886 to 1914 at the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park?______________



4. From Balclutha's maiden voyage until retirement, how many years passed?______________



5. How many years ago was the only U-boat sunk in the Gulf of Mexico discovered?______________



6. Was the Robert E. Lee sunk before or after 1940?_________________



7. How far down was the U-166 located?_____________________________

"Answering America's Maritime Heritage" p. 32

PROJECT: Suppose the US Government wanted to shut down the NOAA. Write a letter to the President telling him about all the important work this group does and why they should continue to operate. (Use proper letter writing format, and remember to use your rules for writing a 'persuasive essay'.)

"Above and Below"

1. False, atmospheric
2. True
3. False, 100
4. True
5. True
6. False, medical personnel
7. False, safety checks
8. True
9. True
10. True

"Getting Into Hot Water While Diving"

1. B
2. C
3. A

"Exploring the Steamship"

1. Portland
2. Captain Hollis Blanchard
3. side scan sonar
4. exact location
5. upper cabin

"Ship Sites"

1. 1622, 1715, 1733
2. 18 years
3. 3
4. 43 years
5. 3 years ago
6. after, 1942
7. 15,000 feet of water

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Updated: 5/20/13 10:41 pm
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