National Museum of the U.S. Navy

Objectives:

1. Students learn about sailors' everyday life around 1900 by analyzing a poem and recruiting poster.
2. Students interpret poems and poster art as historical evidence.

Instructions:

1. Read background sheet, poem, and poster.
2. Discuss question sheet in groups or complete answers individually.
3. Classroom discussion to follow.
4. Students use the historical poem as a model to compose their own poems.
   These poems may be e-mailed to the Museum. 
   

Materials:

For Students: Copies of

• Student Introduction Page,
• "The Rookie's Prayer,"
• Recruiting Poster,
• and Question sheet for each student or group

For Teachers: Teacher answer sheet

These materials may be reproduced.