Name: __________________________________ Date: _________________

West Virginia & Maryland

a compare & contrast activity

As part of our introduction to the book Shiloh, we are going to use the web to find out some basic facts about West Virginia, which we will compare to our home state. Next we are going to look at a specific aspects of the book and see how we would fare if we were in Marty’s shoes.

Part One – Basic Comparisons

Shiloh takes place in rural West Virginia. The speech and customs are a bit different than ours. Try these websites and see if you can find the answers to the questions below. Answer the questions on the printed comparison chart which the teacher will provide you; or you may access an online copy by clicking here.

Questions (2 points each)

For the first three questions, use these US Census sites:

West Virginia - Fact Sheet - American FactFinder

Maryland - Fact Sheet - American FactFinder

1) How many individuals & families (combined) are below poverty level? What percentage?

2) What is the per-capita income level of people in the two states?

3) What percentage of college graduates are there in West Virginia? How about High School Graduates? What about Maryland?

For the next question use these sites:

West Virginia DNR - Hunting

2004-2005 Maryland Game Program Annual Report - Deer

4) How much money is contributed to the each state’s economy from deer- hunting?

Shiloh is written in a dialect that is spoken in rural West Virginia, called Appalachian English. For the last question, see this site:

ARC | Appalachian Regional Commission

5) How many counties are in Appalachia in West Virginia? In Maryland?

6) How many Appalachians were in poverty in 1965? in 1990?

Part Two – Animal Control (5 points)

A significant point in Chapter Two occurs when Marty asked his Dad “How do you go about reporting someone who don’t take care of his dog right?” Marty doesn’t get an answer – but you can. Check out the site below to find out what to do about animal cruelty.

Reporting Animal Abuse or Neglect

Question

Using the recommended Pets911 link, can you find the local animal shelter in our (MD) area? How about Friendly, West Virginia (zip code: 26146). Write the names & phone numbers on the comparison chart.

Part Three -- Essay Question – (8 points)

On the back of the comparison chart, answer the following question. Try and use some of the facts you have noted on the comparison chart. Use at least two paragraphs and organize your thoughts!!

Based on what you have found out, do you think what happened to Marty and Shiloh could happen here in our state? How would it be similar? How would it be different?