Ideas for written communication:

1. Compare a newspaper article about a modern state fair or other public event with an original article from the Lake Madison Chautauqua newspaper.  Look at vocabulary, style, focus.  Do both follow the 5 Ws pattern: who, what, when, where, why.  Write an article for a newspaper about one of the events at the Chautauqua.  Use the historical documents to obtain information. 1891 Lake Madison Chautauqua Program
2. Originally, the Chautauqua was advertised through newspapers, word of mouth and mailings. Today, television commercials would be used.  Use PowerPoint to put together a commercial for one of the Chautauquas.
3. Make a poster to advertise the program being presented at Chautauqua.  Be sure to use a catchy slogan!
4. Write a diary entry for a day you might have visited the Chautauqua.
5. Write a letter to a friend at home telling about your experiences at the Chautauqua. How to write a friendly letter lesson plan
6. Design a postcard using an old photo. Photographs
7. Write an acrostic poem about your school or hometown.  The following advertisement was found in the daily newspaper, the Lake Madison Chautauquan.  

   Can't you see
   How easy it is to make
   A small fortune and perhaps
   Untold wealth?  If you can't I will
   Tell you all about it:
   A.W. Holdridge has farm land and city lots in
   Unlimited and desirable
   Quantities, which he will sell cheap and
   Undertake to suit you on terms and location.
   Any information will be cheerfully given.
               Office first door north of Lake Park Hotel, Madison
   

8. Write an advertisement for a bike or vacation spot or favorite food.  The following advertisement was taken form the July 3, 1893 edition of the daily newspaper, the Lake Madison Chautauquan.

The Hammock

Great Scott!  This weather's hot!
The world's a monster melting pot
In which poor mortals boil,
And cease their useless toil.
                        Try a hammock.
Gee whizz!  How we all sizz!
The sun has spoilt our phiz;
Our bones creak and ache,
We know that we shall bake.
                        What's the matter with a hammock?
Now hade ye under the shady trees,
And there enjoy the summer breeze;
And watch the thermometer sail to G.
And cease to wonder how it can be.
                       It's a hammock.
Frank Smith has got
The nicest lot
Of easy swinging hammocks.
Just get his price,
And in a trice
You surely will be happy.

9. Chautauqua Newspaper - put together a newspaper  use The Feature Story for ideas about writing.
10. Character Development - have students pretend to be one of the family members in the picture.  Describe the character by answering the following questions:
    • What is the character's name?
    • What is the character's job or 'chores?'
    • What does the character wear when not dressed for the picture?
    • What is the character's life history - include birthday, where he/she lives, what grade (if in school) is he/she in, etc.
    • What is the character's favorite food?
    • What is the character's favorite pastime?
    • What is the character's special interests or hobbies?
    • What does the character always say - such as "good grief"  or "not now, dear"
      (these questions are based on Personality Sketch found at Puppetools)

11. Turn of the Century Expressions