Discussion Director
Click here for an example of Discussion Director.
Your job is to write five questions and answers from the assigned reading. You should write a thinking question on your own that will really spark a thoughtful discussion and then choose from these question types:
Example:
What effect did Brian’s parent’s divorce have on his life? Pg. 6
Answer: Brian’s mother had custody of Brian during the school year and Brian’s father has custody of him during the summer. Brian is on his way to see his father in Canada.
How do you think Brian felt when the pilot had a heart attack? Pg. 13
Answer:
a. Vulnerable
How does the author want the reader to feel when the plane is going down? Pg. 26
Answer:
The author wanted the reader to feel a sense of helplessness as the plane is going down. He wants the reader to feel frightened and a sense of panic, like Brian probably felt.
What is a problem that Brian faces in this section and how does he solve it? Pg. 28
Answer:
Brian must figure out what to do when the pilot has a heart attack and he is left stranded in mid air with no landing in sight. He decided that he had to take action and steers the plane down into a lake.
Whose point of view is the story written from? Pg. 1
Answer:
The story is written from the 3rd person because the narrator is telling the story.
Click her for an example of Passage Picker .
Write down the page and paragraph number of the passage, the first and last two words of the passage, and the reason you chose this passage (make sure you explain why). Then, ask a question about your passage and give an answer. Finally, answer one of the following two questions: Why did the author include this passage and give an answer? What does this passage add to the story?
Example:
“But so…into nothing.” Pg. 29 par. 2
I chose this passage because it is extremely descriptive and makes the reader feel as if they are going through what Brian is going through at that very moment. What does this passage say about Brain as a person? This passage shows that Brian is determined and does not give up. The author included this passage because it creates suspense. The reader feels Brian’s struggle to stay alive, as the author creates a feeling of helplessness with this chapter.
“The memory…with hate.” Pg. 31 par. 1
I chose this passage because it contains the simile "like a knife cutting into him." What memory is Brian describing? What do you think the secret is? Brian is describing the divorce and the reason that his mother called the marriage off with his father. I think the secret is that his was seeing another man. The author included this passage because it shows the extreme pain that the divorce has caused Brian. It is almost as bad as any physical pain he has dealt with so far.
“It took…a breath.” Pg. 36 par. 2
I chose this passage because it is very descriptive and it uses a metaphor, "clouds of insects a living coat." What do you envision when you read this passage? I see a boy wearing a coat of mosquitoes. The author included this passage because it is descriptive and makes the reader almost cringe as he or she filsl with Brian’s pain.
Click here for an example of Word Wizard.
Your job is to complete word wizard for the following 3 words:
Agony pg.37 par 3
Thrumming pg. 12 par 1
Momentarily pg. 4 par 8
Example:
In the end he sat with the windbreaker pulled up, brushed with his hands and took it, almost crying in frustration and agony.
Definition: Agony- a state of extreme pain and defenselessness.
This word adds meaning to the story because it gives the reader an idea of just how much pain that Brian was experiencing. Worst of all, Brian was helpless and hopeless because there was nothing that he could do to escape the wilderness and everything that was in it.
Word Wizard Card
Word Networks
What people, things, situations, or words come to mind when you think about the word thrumming?
Word Associations
What words go with momentarily?
Briefly, temporarily, shortly, forever, and eternally
Click here for an example of Character Sketcher.
Your job as Character Sketcher is to identify passages in this section that exhibit the following actions/ traits for Brian:
You should then explain how each passage demonstrates or proves these traits, identify the character’s goal (which is what the character wants to do accomplish), identify the problem and solution in the reading, and complete a sketch or illustration of the character
Or
Your job is to complete a Character Sketcher for Brian in this section.
Determination
Vulnerability
Grief
Example:
Determination
Pg 29 par 2
Brian shows determination by not giving up and using everything that he had to not let the water overtake his life. The character’s goal is to stay alive. The plane that he was flying in has crashed into a lake and Brian is grasping onto every breath in order to stay alive and not drown.
Vulnerability
Pg. 37 par 2
Brain shows vulnerability when he is being attacked by swarms of mosquitoes after the crash. His goal is to escape the vampires or to at least cover the majority of his body to escape the pain. Brian tries to cover his body to escape the mosquitoes with his jacket, but it is too torn. When he covers his face with his shirt, his back is exposed to the mosquitoes. The hot sun is the only solution to his painful problem.
Grief
Pg 6 par 1
Brian shows grief when he thinks about his parent’s divorce and his mom’s “secret”. Brian wishes that the divorce had never occurred and his family was back together. The main problem that came with the divorce was the question of what would happen to Brian. The judge gave Brian’s mom custody of him during the school year and his dad received custody during the summer.
SKETCH
