Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry

I hope you enjoy this historical fiction. What questions do you have about the book?

What is racism? What examples of racism can we see in this story so far? Compare and contrast the life of a black child and a white child (in the book). How are they treated differently? Are they similar in certain aspects?

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Finding Forrester

How is this story coming along? Who's the main character? What do you think will happen in the story?

Monday, April 27, 2009

Crispin

Hey Geniuses! I hope you are enjoying Crispin as much as I am. I especially like this character Bear. He seems a bit crazy, but also very smart.

How are your predictions coming along? Can't wait to catch up with you on Wednesday!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Crispin

How's Crispin coming along? Please summarize what the book is about so far. How do you feel about it?

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Becoming Naomi León Chapters 1 and 2

A Rabble of Yesterdays


Chapter One: A Paddling of Ducks, pp. 3-15

1. On p. 5, Naomi says that she had “…mulled over…” her sorry condition at school.
a. What does “mulled over” mean in this sentence?
b. Look up mulled in the dictionary. What other meaning does it have when it is used to describe wine? How are the two meanings alike?

2. Gram says that you can make things happen through positive thinking (p. 6).
a. Ask the members of your book club if they believe this is true, and why.
b. Determine how many say “yes” and how many say “no.”
c. Create a ratio of the number of “yes” responses to “no” response.
d. What does this tell you about self-fulfilling prophecies?

3. Why is this chapter called “A Paddling of Ducks?”

Chapter Two: A Skulk of Foxes, pp. 16-25

1. Who is the “fox” referred to in the chapter title? Be ready to support your answer with quotes and page numbers.

2. On p. 20, we find that Owen uses tape on his shirt to comfort himself and to prevent anxiety.
a. Give an example of what people you know do to reduce their anxiety. Be specific:
b. Who is the person?
c. What do they do – or use?
d. How does it help them?
e. Do you think this would work for you, and why or why not?

3. On p. 25, Naomi says “My thoughts dived into a jumble in the middle of my mind, wrestled around until they were wadded into a fisted know, and attached themselves to my brain like a burr matted in a long-haired dog.”
a. Paraphrase this description. What were Naomi's thoughts?
b. Have you ever felt this way? When? Why?

Many thanks to NEIU YA Lit Conference (Boran & Ibarra)

Friday, March 27, 2009

Chapter 29

1. How many years did it take for the

2. What did the men make for her to wear?

3. What did the men want to do while they were on Coral Cove?

4. Where did the men take Won-a-pa-lei?

5. What happened to the ship that took her people away years ago?

6. Who told her about what had happened to the ship?

Chapters 26-28

Chapter 26

1. When Won-a-pa-lei was on her way to the place where the sea elephants lived, what did she see?

2. What was she going to use the snares for?

3. What is xuchal? What did she use it for?

4. Who is Rontu-Aru?

5. Why do you think Won-a-pa-lei found herself thinking more and more about Tutko and Ulape?

Chapter 27
1. Why did Won-a-pa-lei turn her canoe over and crawl under it?


2. What happened while she was under the canoe?

3. What happened when Won-a-pa-lei and Rontu were on their way home from the spring?

Chapter 28

1. What kind of damage did the earthquake cause?

2. What did Won-a-pa-lei see when she went down to the beach to get some seaweed?

3. What happened to the ship?