Bluffton+Reinforcing+Activity

Activity: You will analyze the life of Henry Harrison (and his community), and how the vaudevilles effect his community.

Give each student a packet with one of the following questions on each page. Have them discuss in groups the following bulleted questions, and jot down some notes. Come together as a class and discuss the questions.

- (pg. 1) Describe the characteristics of Muskegon, Michigan.
 * Draw what the land looks like there
 * A: (picture including some of the characteristics below)


 * Describe the land with three words
 * A: Relatively open, green space, bushes, trees, lake, beach, small houses, small businesses

- (pg. 2) What do people do for work in Muskegon?
 * Name a possible job for someone there
 * A: small business owner (Henry’s Dad owns the hardware shop)

- (pg. 3) What challenges would a vaudeville performer face traveling to new places where the land and resources could be different?
 * A: It would be difficult to come to a new place where the land and resources are different.
 * A: You may not know where to go to buy the different things that you want/need.

Other activities: - This book could also be used to teach - Strand: Geography - Topic: Human Systems - Content Statement: Systems of transportation and communication move people, products and ideas from place to place.
 * You could have students analyze the life of the vaudevilles
 * These people are constantly moving and only stay in one place for a few months at a time
 * What would the vaudevilles bring with them as they travel from place to place?
 * A: ideas, products, their skills and talents

Other Strands: History

Bluffton – Matt Phelan – Muskegon – Michigan – vaudeville performers– baseball – Keaton – 1908