Story Summary

Barbara Smucker’s Amish Adventure follows Ian McDonald, a 12‑year‑old boy from Chicago whose life changes after a highway accident leaves him unexpectedly living with an Amish family in Waterloo County, Ontario. Over several months, Ian learns Amish customs, attends school, works on the farm, and confronts prejudice from local youth. Through friendship, cultural contrast, and personal challenge, Ian discovers resilience, empathy, and a deeper understanding of himself and others.

Students explore themes of multiculturalism, tolerance, belonging, responsibility, and community values while engaging with rich historical and cultural context.

Learning Expectations

Students will…

• strengthen reading comprehension, vocabulary, and written/oral communication
• identify and describe story elements (plot, character, setting, conflict, theme)
• analyze cultural differences and develop empathy and respect for diverse lifestyles
• make personal connections to characters’ experiences
• explore themes of tolerance, prejudice, responsibility, and community
• respond to literature through journals, quizzes, creative tasks, and research
• organize information and express ideas clearly
• develop critical thinking through discussion, comparison, and reflection

Teacher Notes Include

• Objectives
• Summary of Story
• Author Biography
• Background Information on Amish History & Culture
• List of Resources
• Teacher Input Suggestions
• Vocabulary Activities
• Vocabulary Lists by Chapter Sections
• These pages provide teachers with cultural context, instructional ideas, and vocabulary support before beginning the novel.

Reading Response Journals: Daily personal reflections, chapter reactions, and teacher‑guided prompts.

Moving Beyond the Plot (Extended Response Questions)

Deep thinking questions for every chapter, encouraging personal connection, empathy, and critical thinking.

Quizzes

These quizzes check comprehension and reinforce key events and character development.

• Chapters 1–4
• Chapters 5–9
• Chapters 10–14
• Chapters 15–18
• Chapters 19–22
• Chapters 23–26

Novel Extension Activities

The novel study includes a wide range of cross‑curricular skill building tasks. These activities support literacy, social studies, art, geography, STEM, and cultural understanding.

• Where in the World (Geography) – p.1
• Bridges & Famous Bridges (STEM/Geography) – p.2, 35
• Figurative Language Activities – p.3-4, 6-7
• Weather Lore – p. 5
• Our Forefathers (History) – p.8
• Nicknames (Language) – p.9
• Amish Beliefs – p.10 & p.22
• Quotable Quotes – p.11
• Amish Recipes (Cultural Studies) – p.12–15
• Amish Farms – p.16
• Acrostic Poetry – p.17
• A Geographical Study – p. 18-19
• Amish Schools – p.20
• Make a Mobile – p.21
• Themes (Relationships, Contrasts, Similarities, Multiculturalism, Tolerance, Intolerance and Prejudice, Confidence and Self-esteem) – p.23-25
• Write a Newspaper Article – p. 25
• Letter From Dad – p. 27
• Favorite Amish Recess Games – p.28
• Make a Braided Rug – p.29
• Amish Quilts (Art & Culture) – p.30–35
• Bridge Types & Bridge Building Project (STEM) – p.36-38
• Venn Diagram (Comparison Skills) – p.39
• Debate Activity – p.40-41
• Unanswered Questions – p.42
• Research Activities – p.43

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