Sixth grade students in Mrs. Vallalla’s English Language Arts class recently completed an argumentative essay based on the novel Blood on the River by Elisa Carbone. Students analyzed which character — Captain John Smith or Reverend Hunt — had the greatest impact on Samuel Collier’s development.
As part of our Wit & Wisdom curriculum, students practiced essential argumentative writing skills. They crafted clear thesis statements (claims), developed strong reasons, and supported their thinking with direct evidence from the text. This assignment challenged students not only to choose a position, but to defend it with logical reasoning and specific examples.
We are especially proud of how students are growing in their ability to introduce evidence and explain how it supports their claim.
Student Highlights:
Imagine being a young boy, in a new world, torn between the wisdom of a leader and the compassion of a mentor. In our lives, we all have someone who shapes what we do and what we believe in. The impact or influence that that person has left on us can change our perspective and journey in ways we never knew that it could. The decisions that 11 year old Samuel Collier makes in response to Captain Smith and Reverend Hunt’s teaching and mentorship reveals the positive effects on Samuel’s growth. In the book, Blood on the River by Elisa Carbone, Captain John Smith had the greatest impact on Samuel’s growth and change as he navigated the unknowns in his world of Jamestown by showing him how to use a sword for protection, and how to speak Algonquian to trade and communicate with the natives. ~ Zac B.
To begin, Captain Smith had the biggest impact on Samuel when he taught Samuel to work together, or stand on many feet, to survive. When Samuel is fighting violently with the other boys, Captain Smith intervenes and tells Samuel that he can not survive if he can not work together with others. Smith has Samuel stand on one leg while being shoved, and rocked by the boat. The author states, “He stands over me. ‘Does it work, Samuel?’ he demands. ‘Can you stand on one foot when a storm rocks the ship? Can you keep your footing when I shove you?’ I am bewildered and angry.” (Carbone 55). Samuel is surprised at the roughness with which Captain Smith handles the situation; but he does not really hurt Samuel. Samuel is able to learn this lesson better because he has to deal with fear and embarrassment, and is shaken by realizing how bad his decisions were. Now, he understands that he needs to be kinder so he has allies and friends. To conclude, Samuel learns from Captain Smith that he needs to work together with others, which has a huge impact on his way of coping with struggle. ~ Maya B.
Furthermore, Reverend Hunt was one of the two people Samuel opened his ‘heart’ to, because of his patience and showed Samuel a different view of the world. Based on what I read, Samuel was open hearted because of Reverend Hunt. He did not want him to go. After evaluating the situation, he wanted to thank Reverend Hunt for treating him like he was worth something. As stated by the author “Reverend Hunt, thank you for teaching me, thank you for treating me like I was worth something” (Carbone 171-172). The reader can infer that Samuel felt that Reverend Hunt had treated him like he wasn’t a waste of time, and that he could actually improve. As a result, Samuel had transformed because of Reverend Hunt’s patience for his improvement, and changed his perspective of the world and its people. ~Phoenix F.
Furthermore, Captain Smith helped Samuel grow when he helped Samuel gain more skills and wisdom. When the first attack with the natives happened, all of the settlers were uneasy about what would happen next. Captain Smith was worried that Samuel would not get proper defense training, so Captain Smith jumps in and teaches Samuel how to speak the Native language, how to fight with a sword, and how to trade. In the novel, Captain Smith states, “‘We will train every day,’ he tells me ‘Wear your armor whenever you leave the fort.’”(Carbone page 88) This evidence shows that Captain Smith shaped Samuel because he gave Samuel armor and taught him to learn the native language. Now that Captain Smith took time to teach Samuel some traits, Samuel will be more successful. Also Samuel cares more about Captain Smith because he helped him gain his new knowledge and defensive abilities. Ultimately, by using the skills Captain Smith taught Samuel like the native language and defense, Samuel learned to always be prepared for anything that happens with the natives. ~Adriana H.
Furthermore, Captain John Smith made Samuel feel equal in power to him when he shook his hand. In the past Samuel felt as if he was not equal in power to any of the people in Jamestown even if they had the same amount of power as him. After Captain John Smith shook his hand he knew that he was equal in power to him even if he didn't seem like it. As stated by the author “Then he does something that surprises me almost as much as the beads. He reaches out his hand to shake mine-as if I am his equal.” ( Carbone pg 202) Captain John Smith’s impact positively affected Samuel because now Samuel believes in himself and now he knows that he is really equal in power to Captain John Smith. In summary, When CaptainJohn Smith shook Samuel's hand it made Samuel feel identical in power to him and helped Samuel believe in himself. ~Emmalynn P.
To sum it up, Captain Smith had the greatest influence on Samuel's development while he explored the unknowns in Jamestown, and he educated Samuel on many things that helped him survive. When Captain Smith saw Samuel only solving problems with violence, he had to intervene by teaching him how to channel his anger so that he could solve problems peacefully and stop himself from hurting others. Captain Smith also teaches Samuel about the Algonquian language so that he can communicate with the natives and trade with them, so they do not die of starvation. As a result of the lessons learned, Samuel transformed from a helpless child who only solved problems with violence to a person who knew how to control his anger and survive in the unknown world. ~Angel M.
