Antonia Shimerda arrives in Nebraska as a young girl and befriends Jim Burden, the book's narrator. Burden describes the strength and determination Antonia maintains as she adapts to the changes and challenges in her life. Ask students to imagine themselves 20 years from now. Have them draw a pie chart showing how big an influence each will have. Discuss why students predicted what they did.
Students can work together in small groups to collect information they already have about pioneers.
Have them record their knowledge on posters to be used later as references as they work through the novel. Conclude by telling students that they will add to their knowledge of pioneers while reading this novel. Have students study geographical maps of the United States. Encourage students to discuss the geographical land forms Jim encounters, and the difficulties they present, when he travels from New York to Nebraska. A Blast from the Past.