Before You Read
Before your students read this book, ask them to find the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky and Scotland, (which is now a part of the United Kingdom) on a globe. Have them speculate why a nurse in Scotland would respond to a help wanted ad for nurses needed in Kentucky. What would make them want to take a job so far away, in another country? Then ask them how they would feel if, like the families in these stories, a person like Mary Breckinridge appeared out of the blue to save the life of a family member who had become ill or suffered a terrible accident. Their responses should help them appreciate the extraordinary dedication and energy of Mary Breckinridge and the positive effect she had on the lives of so many people in Kentucky.

Class Activity
Favorite Figures in History

Talk about Heroes and have students choose their favorite historical figure.

Hero Time Line
Students can find important dates in the life of Mary Breckinridge in the last chapter of this book. She was born in 1881, trained as a nurse beginning in 1907, worked as an army nurse in France during World War I (1914-1918), then began her rural nursing services in Kentucky in 1923. These dates could be shown on a time line with sentence explanations and related illustrations. Have students create a time line for one of their heroes from history. To help them choose a historical figure, allow them to skim through textbooks or biographical dictionaries and make a class list. Their heroes can come from any walk of life—from sports, art, or entertainment to science, religion, or government. Have them use available resources to find out the important dates and events in the life of the hero of their choice. These illustrated time lines can be displayed in the class.

Character Map
Students might want to draw a personality/character map to help them develop their ideas. Have them write the person's name at the center of a piece of paper. Attached to the name, students can connect a personality trait, such as courage, intelligence, generosity, and so on. For each trait, students should connect details from the person's life to use as an example. These traits with their examples can be used as reasons why the figure from history is admired.

Letter to a Hero
It's possible that when John Hawkins learned to read and write, he might have wanted to write a special letter to Mary Breckinridge, telling her how and why he admired her. Pearl also could have written Mary a secret admirer letter. Encourage students to think of reasons why they admire a favorite figure from history. Suggest that they write their hero a letter telling him or her how and why he or she is admired. Invite students to read their completed letters to the class.

Be Someone Special
Ask students what they think Mary Breckinridge might say if she was able to step out of the past and stand before their class to give an oral presentation to their class. Then, have students think about what their favorite figures from history might say if he or she also could step out of the past and speak to their class. Point out to students that in an oral presentation, a person communicates information which is enlivened by his or her personality. Have students use the information they've discovered about their heroes in the previous activities to prepare an oral presentation their hero might present to their class. Invite students to give their oral presentations as their heroes. Ask them to first address the class by stating who they are and why they are important. Remind them to include gestures and other expressions they think their figure from history would use. Invite them to use simple props and dress up as their figure. For example, someone giving a speech as Mary Breckinridge might dress as a nurse and carry a bag for medical supplies.