miss watson’s classroom reading material for middle school students spring 2012 - present

MISS WATSON’S CLASSROOM READING MATERIAL FOR

MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

Spring 2012 - present

Book List

Out of the Night That Covers Me – Pat Cunningham Devoto

Speak – Laurie Halse Anderson Lockdown – Walter Dean Myers Zel – Donna Jo Napoli

Out of the Night That Covers Me – Pat Cunningham Devoto

Character List Outline Literary Elements Projects to Choose From Essay questions

Character List

John: page 3, 6, 408 Uncle Luther: page 53 Aunt Nelda: page 13 Judge Vance: page 407 Mrs. Vance: page 21 Ella: page 158 Mama Tuway: page 18 Obadiah: page 26, 36 Tuway: page 95, 157 Shell: page 62 Little Luther: page 47 These electronic note cards will help you develop the characters

and distinguish if the character lives in POVERTY or PRIVILEDGE.

John’s Life

1. From Tennessee to Alabama a. Train ride b. Lower Peach Tree2. Working in the Field

a. Sun burn 3. Going into Town

a. Getting to know Judge Vance 4. When his belongings arrived in LPT

a. Talking to the preacherb. Uncle Luther selling the furniture

5. Miss Belva comes to the housea. checking on John b. working for Judge Vance

6. John meets Tuway a. Tuway is very reservedb. Delivers mail with Cal

7. School a. Smarter than the other children

8. Encounters L.B. and Debo a. Sees the corruption

9. Develops a relationship with Judge and Mrs. Vance a. Supper b. Spending the Night 10. John gets a glance at Tuway’s book

a. Begins to devise an escape b. Meets Tuway at the graveyard 11. Escaping to The Bend

a. Meeting Mama Tuway b. Meeting Ella 12. Jumping on the train

a. Difficult 13. Frog Gigging

a. Getting in Trouble b. Working on Claude’s farm14. Attack on The Bend

a. Crossing the Riverb. Ella is hurt 15. Conculsion

Connecting Fiction to History This presentation connects The Bend to

the actual town of Gee’s Bend Alabama. You will take a look at the women of Gee’s Bend and their quilts.

This presentation will show you the facts about poverty in Alabama.

Essay Questions

These following questions are for you to think about as you read the book. Two of these questions will be on your final test. Be prepared to answer them in a well formed paragraph.

In the long run was it best for John that he was not spared his struggles? Do you think children today are too sheltered? Not sheltered enough?

Was Aunt Nelda trapped in her way of life any more so than women today?

If you were spirited back in time to live in the story, which character would you most want to be?

The book did not end with everyone living "happily ever after." Were you satisfied with this ending? Do you think it was realistic?

What elements in the story point out the good and bad sides of small town life?

Did John's transition match, in any way, the transformation that was taking place in the South as it was drawn kicking and screaming into a new era?

Projects to Choose from

Book Jacket Reporting the News Write a Script Character Portrait

Speak – Laurie Halse Anderson Character List Outline Literary Elements Essay Questions Projects to Choose From

Melinda’s Life

What caused Melinda to act the way she does?

How is she coping? What was she like before the incident?

Character List

Melinda Heather Mr. Freeman IT Mom Dad Nicole Mr. Neck Rachel

Literary Elements

Man vs. Man Man vs. Self Man vs. Society

Essay Question

Discuss the novel and its significance. What roles do silence and truth play in the story.

Is there a relationship between speaking and listening? Can one exist without the other?

Why does Melinda isolate herself? Is she justified in doing so?

In what places is Melinda able to find her sanctuary at school? How do the characters of these places provide a window into her character?

Projects to Choose From

Book Jacket Reporting the News Write a Script Character Portrait

Lockdown – Walter Dean Myers Character List Outline Connecting Fiction to Real Facts Essay Questions Projects to Choose From

Character List

Outline

Connecting Fiction to Facts

Essay Questions

Projects to Choose From

Zel – Donna Jo Napoli

Character List Outline Literary Elements Essay Questions Projects to Choose From

Character List

Outline

Literary Elements

Essay Questions

Projects to Choose From