Biographies for Elementary Webquest
Konkin Family (Family 2)
It is September 1948. You are the Konkin family. You live on a farm
eight
miles [13 km] north of Verigin, Saskatchewan. Verigin has a population of
500
people and is the location of your closest post office. Your family
consists
of a father, a mother, and three children still at home. An older daughter
has
already married and left home. Your modest one-storey bungalow has no
electricity
but you do have a telephone. You drive your car to Verigin in summer, but
in
winter you must travel by horse and sleigh to pick up your orders at the
post
office. You have $100 to spend on this order. It is the only one you will
make
before Christmas, so be sure to include a few Christmas gifts.
Each person in your group needs to select one of the following family
members.
Luba (Mother)
Hello.
My name is Luba Konkin. I am 34 years old.
My parents were born in Russia and I was born on a farm near where I
live
now.
I look after the house and the garden, do the cooking, milk our three
cows,
care for the pigs and chickens, and work in the fields when Koozma needs
help.
I sell cream from the cows for butter to earn some extra spending money.
We need a new bedspread for my bed and it would be nice if I could have
a
new hat for going into town. I am beginning to look at those new
gas-powered
washing machines, but I'm not sure we can afford one this year. I
fill
out the order forms, and Koozma brings them to the Verigin post office by
car
or horse and sleigh.
Go to these catalogue pages and choose a few things to
order:
- Bedspreads (Pages 308
and 309)
- Hats (Page 85)
- Washing machine (Page 538)
Koozma (Father)
My name is Koozma Konkin. I am 56 years old.
I was born in Russia and came to Canada when I was six years old.
Like my father, I am a farmer. I cleared this land with my own hands,
planted
my first crop in 1925, and built my own home from a kit I purchased from
the
1928 Eaton's Catalogue. I grow wheat and barley, raise a few cattle,
pigs
and chickens, and have three milking cows. This is a good time of year to
buy
things because I just harvested my crop and I am beginning to get paid for
it.
I need to buy a new pair of winter boots. It would be nice to buy a
lamp for
our living room, maybe one of those new Aladdin lamps. And Luba deserves
something
special, maybe some fancy drinking glasses.
Go to these catalogue pages and choose a few things to
order:
- Winter boots (Pages 240
and 565)
- Aladdin lamp (Page 461)
- Drinking glasses (Page 420)
Val (Child 1)
Hi.
My name is Val and I am 14 years old.
I help out on the farm by weeding the garden, picking vegetables, and
feeding
the chickens and pigs. I also help out with cooking and chores around the
house.
With my brother and sister, I walk 4 km every day to our small school.
I am
in grade 7.
I would like to get a dress but my mom says I need a new winter coat. I
love
to sing and I think I would like a guitar so I can learn to play.
Here are my favourite catalogue pages:
Walter (Child 2)
Hello.
My name is Walter and I am 12 years old.
I help on the farm by milking our three cows, feeding the animals,
cleaning
the barns, haying, and harvesting. I want to be a farmer when I grow up.
I go to school every day and am in grade 5.
I would like to have some skates but my mom says I need new winter
boots.
It would also be nice to have a new toy or game like a chessboard that my
brother
and sister can use too.
Here are my favourite catalogue pages.
- Skates (Pages 490
and 491)
- Boots (Page 228)
- Chessboard (Page 502)
Nadya (Child 3)
Hi. My name is Nadya. I am 10 years old.
I feed our chickens and help with other farm chores and cooking.
I go to school every day and I am in grade 3.
I get most of my clothes from my older brother and sister but I would
love
something new that is all my own, like a ski jacket and snow pants or a
pair
of shoes. I don't have many toys and I would love to have a new
doll.
Here are my favourite catalogue
pages:
- Ski jacket and snow pants (Page 170)
- Shoes (Page 225)
- Doll (Page 509)
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