Raymond’s RunRaymond’s Run

Author Toni Cade BambaraAuthor Toni Cade Bambara

About the AuthorAbout the Author

Toni Cade Bambara believed that Toni Cade Bambara believed that authors “are everyday people who authors “are everyday people who write stories that come out of their write stories that come out of their neighborhoods.” Like many of her neighborhoods.” Like many of her characters, she grew up in New York characters, she grew up in New York City. She wrote about African City. She wrote about African Americans who show family pride Americans who show family pride and a strong sense of community.and a strong sense of community.

Harlem, New YorkHarlem, New York

Reading FocusReading FocusPlotPlot

The events that make up the plot can usually be The events that make up the plot can usually be divided into rising action, climax, and falling divided into rising action, climax, and falling action. The rising action consists of the conflicts action. The rising action consists of the conflicts and complications that the main character faces. and complications that the main character faces. The climax is the greatest point of interest, or The climax is the greatest point of interest, or turning point. The falling action provides turning point. The falling action provides resolution of the conflict.resolution of the conflict.

First person point of view (I, me, we)First person point of view (I, me, we)

Cause and EffectCause and EffectWHAT happened WHAT happened = Effect= EffectWHY it happened WHY it happened = Cause= Cause

Reading FocusReading Focus

ClimaxClimax Main ConflictMain Conflict

Rising ActionRising Action Falling Action Falling Action SubplotSubplot Conflict ResolutionConflict Resolution

ExpositionExposition Theme Theme ResolutionResolution

Setting/CharactersSetting/Characters

Reading FocusReading Focus

Main IdeaMain Idea

Most important point or message Most important point or message that the writer wants to that the writer wants to communicate to the readercommunicate to the reader

Stated directly OR implied by Stated directly OR implied by supporting details supporting details

VocabularyVocabularyContext CluesContext Clues

ClutchedClutched

RelayRelay

ProdigyProdigy

SidekickSidekick

PeriscopePeriscope

DefinitionsDefinitions

MercuryMercury

HydrocephalusHydrocephalus

VentriloquistVentriloquist

GlockenspielsGlockenspiels

QuicksilverQuicksilver

Vocabulary-Context CluesVocabulary-Context Clues1.1. He He clutchedclutched the steering wheel tightly with the steering wheel tightly with

his hands when the car began to skid.his hands when the car began to skid.2.2. Four runners were on each team in the Four runners were on each team in the

relayrelay..3.3. Antonio was a Antonio was a prodigyprodigy at age eight, playing at age eight, playing

violin solos with the local symphony violin solos with the local symphony orchestra.orchestra.

4.4. The detective and his wisecracking The detective and his wisecracking sidekicksidekick solved many cases together.solved many cases together.

5.5. The submarine captain raised the ship’s The submarine captain raised the ship’s periscopeperiscope above the water’s surface so he above the water’s surface so he could watch for the enemy.could watch for the enemy.

VocabularyVocabularyDefinitionsDefinitionsMercury: swift messenger of the gods (Roman Mercury: swift messenger of the gods (Roman

mythology)mythology)Hydrocephalus: swelling of the head caused by too Hydrocephalus: swelling of the head caused by too

much fluid collecting in the skull; the excess fluid much fluid collecting in the skull; the excess fluid can damage the braincan damage the brain

Ventriloquist: a person that controls dummiesVentriloquist: a person that controls dummiesGlockenspiels: musical instrument played with light Glockenspiels: musical instrument played with light

hammershammersQuicksilver: reference to speed with which Quicksilver: reference to speed with which

quicksilver (the liquid metal mercury) flowsquicksilver (the liquid metal mercury) flows

Hydrocephalus Hydrocephalus

Raymond’s RunRaymond’s Run1.1. Read the story (pages 32-40)Read the story (pages 32-40)2.2. Create a plot line.Create a plot line.3.3. What are Squeaky’s internal and What are Squeaky’s internal and

external conflicts?external conflicts?4.4. What is the theme of this story?What is the theme of this story?5.5. What motivates Squeaky?What motivates Squeaky?