In 1917, a survey was taken to determine what became of some of the orphan train children who had grown up. The results showed that among them were governors, U.S. Congress members, district attorneys, mayors, a justice of the Supreme Court, judges, college professors, teachers, journalists, bankers, doctors, attorneys, army officers, and soldiers and sailors. For the orphan children, it must have been a big adjustment to go from the big, crowded city to the quiet, open fields of Missouri. Ask students to explain what kind of setting they prefer. Have students create their own characters and write their own orphan train adventures.
Students can work alone or in pairs.
Encourage them to illustrate their adventures. Describe in journal format how it feels to be singled out as an orphan by the townspeople and what it's like waiting to be chosen by a family. Arab was a term used in the late nineteenth century for a homeless child living on the streets. Have students list the circumstances that might occur that would lead a young person onto the streets. Have students define each of the words and put them in the context in which they were used.