1) Prediction: In these chapters, we learn that the family is taking a trip to Alabama to visit Grandma Sands. Byron will stay with grandma for a while in hopes that she will "straighten him out." Do you think getting away from the city will help Byron change his behavior? Why or why not.
*NOTE: The above is asking for your prediction about what is going to happen. If you have already read past chapter 9, don't respond to this question. Respond instead to question 2 below:
2) Discuss something Byron has done in these chapters that might indicate his behavior needs an adjustment. What is Byron's reaction to going to Alabama to stay with Grandma Sands?
Friday, January 28, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Chapters 1-3:The Watsons Go To Birmingham
The first three chapters of "The Watsons go to Birmingham" are pretty interesting because we see how the author is comfortable using "slang" to communicate with his readers, and this adds a comical side to the story. The books starts off with the author describing an unbearably cold winter day in Flint, Michigan, while Kenny and his entire family are curled up under a blanket struggling to keep warm. The multiple layers of clothes and close huddling does little to help them stay warm though. We notice the feeling of annoyance the mother is experiencing, but we notice how the father is doing everything he can possibly do to avoid setting the mother off on a tangent.
In chapter one the author, Christopher Paul Curtis, takes time to introduce the family in detail. We read about how Byron, the oldest of the brothers, got his lip stuck to a car mirror while he was kissing his own reflection. After this we realize the relationship the two brothers have with one another. Byron is seen as the stubborn, hard headed, bully. while the younger one, Kenny, is the more self concious and quiet.
Kenny thankfully finds a good friend in the following chapters, who in turn becomes the kid targeted for the bullying. Rufus and his brother, Cody, move from Arkansas. Kenny becomes selfish at one point and we witness how he hurts his good friend Rufus's feelings because he is so relieved to have the bullying transferred from him. Kenny regains his correct state of mind and recognizes how much more important it is to have Rufus as his friend than to not have him at all.
In chapter one the author, Christopher Paul Curtis, takes time to introduce the family in detail. We read about how Byron, the oldest of the brothers, got his lip stuck to a car mirror while he was kissing his own reflection. After this we realize the relationship the two brothers have with one another. Byron is seen as the stubborn, hard headed, bully. while the younger one, Kenny, is the more self concious and quiet.
Kenny thankfully finds a good friend in the following chapters, who in turn becomes the kid targeted for the bullying. Rufus and his brother, Cody, move from Arkansas. Kenny becomes selfish at one point and we witness how he hurts his good friend Rufus's feelings because he is so relieved to have the bullying transferred from him. Kenny regains his correct state of mind and recognizes how much more important it is to have Rufus as his friend than to not have him at all.
Chapters 1-3
Chapters 1, 2, and 3 of The Watsons Go to Birmingham have been very enjoyable for me. I love how the author, Christopher Paul Curtis, writes in slang language. It really beings the characters to life and adds a lot to the humor of the story.
Chapter one gives an introduction to the Watson family by telling a hilarious story of Byron, the oldest brother, getting his lips stuck to a car mirror. This chapter gives the reader a little background knowledge of the kind of relationship Kenny has with Byron. Kenny, a fourth-grade African American, is a very relatable for teens of every race and background. All teens worry about being accepted and finding their place within their school. Also anyone with an older sibling can relate to and appreciate the kind of love-hate relationship between Kenny and his brother.
Chapters two and three introduce the new kids from Arkansas, Rufus and his younger brother Cody. Kenny is relieved to have a break from being the target of the bullies for a while. Then, despite his best efforts to avoid Rufus, he ends up being friends with him. When Kenny has to try to balance his new friendship with his battle to be accepted by his peers, he ends up hurting Rufus's feelings. Kenny then begins to realize that before Rufus he had no friends and having a friend becomes more important to him that being liked by the other kids.
So far this story has been a great read, and I cannot wait to continue reading about the life of Kenny Watson and the rest of his family.
Chapter one gives an introduction to the Watson family by telling a hilarious story of Byron, the oldest brother, getting his lips stuck to a car mirror. This chapter gives the reader a little background knowledge of the kind of relationship Kenny has with Byron. Kenny, a fourth-grade African American, is a very relatable for teens of every race and background. All teens worry about being accepted and finding their place within their school. Also anyone with an older sibling can relate to and appreciate the kind of love-hate relationship between Kenny and his brother.
Chapters two and three introduce the new kids from Arkansas, Rufus and his younger brother Cody. Kenny is relieved to have a break from being the target of the bullies for a while. Then, despite his best efforts to avoid Rufus, he ends up being friends with him. When Kenny has to try to balance his new friendship with his battle to be accepted by his peers, he ends up hurting Rufus's feelings. Kenny then begins to realize that before Rufus he had no friends and having a friend becomes more important to him that being liked by the other kids.
So far this story has been a great read, and I cannot wait to continue reading about the life of Kenny Watson and the rest of his family.
Chapters 4-6
After reading chapters 4-6, talk about any experiences you have had with bullying.
Why do you think Kenny's attitude changes towards Larry Dunn, as he is being beaten?
**I have never observed anyone being physically abused, but I have seen children ridiculed and teased. I remember when I was in the 4th grade, I found out I had to get glasses. I wore them (and back them, they were really UGLY - blue, plastic frames and thick lenses...), and was called the usual names such as four eyes, etc. Instead of just ignoring the teasing or fighting back, I started taking my glasses off when I got to school. This affected my grades and confidence level since I could barely see far away without them. I don't remember when I quit letting it bother me, but even in high school, I remember taking my glasses off at certain times because I was so self conscious.
Why do you think Kenny's attitude changes towards Larry Dunn, as he is being beaten?
**I have never observed anyone being physically abused, but I have seen children ridiculed and teased. I remember when I was in the 4th grade, I found out I had to get glasses. I wore them (and back them, they were really UGLY - blue, plastic frames and thick lenses...), and was called the usual names such as four eyes, etc. Instead of just ignoring the teasing or fighting back, I started taking my glasses off when I got to school. This affected my grades and confidence level since I could barely see far away without them. I don't remember when I quit letting it bother me, but even in high school, I remember taking my glasses off at certain times because I was so self conscious.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Chapters 1-3
I have really enjoyed the first three chapters of this book! I could not believe how much I was enjoying this book. I thought at first, when I looked at only the outside cover, that it was going to be a very heavy read about civil rights. Instead, it seems to be a cross between "Everybody Hates Chris" and "The Cosby Show".
The first chapter had me laughing so hard when Byron got his lips stuck to the car mirror that I, like all the other family members, had tears running down my cheeks! Byron is so mean to his brother, that it just seems fair that he should have some sort of pain and embarrassment.
Kenny, on the other hand, is a sweet, quiet, and somewhat introverted little boy. He is in second grade and is paraded around school by his teachers. They all believe that he is the smartest thing, since he can read so fluently. He is bullied by everyone. He does get a small window of escape in some instances, since his brother, Byron, is the "god" of Clark Elementary School.
Then one day his "saver" comes in the form of a country boy named Rufus. Rufus quickly takes his place as being the one bullied. They go along, and then one day Larry Dunn makes a comment on the buss, and Kenny laughs. This sorta puts and end to the friendship. Kenny's mom soon finds out what is going on, and she helps Rufus and Kenny get back together.
This book is so interesting. I did not want to put it down to read my other books for class. I did though, but I might just have to take a few peaks before it is time for the next posting. :)
The first chapter had me laughing so hard when Byron got his lips stuck to the car mirror that I, like all the other family members, had tears running down my cheeks! Byron is so mean to his brother, that it just seems fair that he should have some sort of pain and embarrassment.
Kenny, on the other hand, is a sweet, quiet, and somewhat introverted little boy. He is in second grade and is paraded around school by his teachers. They all believe that he is the smartest thing, since he can read so fluently. He is bullied by everyone. He does get a small window of escape in some instances, since his brother, Byron, is the "god" of Clark Elementary School.
Then one day his "saver" comes in the form of a country boy named Rufus. Rufus quickly takes his place as being the one bullied. They go along, and then one day Larry Dunn makes a comment on the buss, and Kenny laughs. This sorta puts and end to the friendship. Kenny's mom soon finds out what is going on, and she helps Rufus and Kenny get back together.
This book is so interesting. I did not want to put it down to read my other books for class. I did though, but I might just have to take a few peaks before it is time for the next posting. :)
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Chapters 1-3: Introducing the Family
In Chapters One through Three of The Watsons Go to Birmingham, we've got quite a lot going on. We're introduced to several characters, including the Watson family. Interspersed with that is a good bit of humor.
I'm enjoying The Watsons Go to Birmingham. I have to admit that I laughed myself silly for the scene where Byron is kissing his reflection and gets his lips stuck to the mirror of the car. I suspect the daddy was right about what led to the situation. Hilarious! Before we get to that point, though, we meet each of the family - Mama and Daddy Watson, Byron, Kenny and Joey. The central protagonist is Kenny, though we learn a bit about the other characters from how they interact with him.
Byron is a bit of a bully. Kenny, on the other hand, is (mostly) a sweet little boy. His biggest problems are that he has a lazy eye which he's very self-conscious about and the fact that he's a superb reader. Apparently, the second issue wouldn't be such a big deal aside from the fact that his teacher takes him from class to class to show him off to the other students as a "good example". In reality, this just paints a target on him for bullies.
Finally, Kenny finds a friend, Rufus. I have to say, I like Rufus quite a lot. As a country girl I could definitely identify with him. Kenny almost blows it by laughing when some kids pick on Rufus' little brother, but after his mom steps in he's able to patch things up and gets his friend back. It's a good lesson for Kenny, though, I think.
At this point, it's unclear whether or not the story carried on in a straight fashion time-wise, but I get the sense that after the Watsons head for the Aunt's house, we're seeing a flash-back, or a more in-depth look at the characters. I think at some point, the author will bring us back to them going to a warm house and carry on from there.
I stopped when I finished Chapter 3. I wanted to keep going, but at the same time I have several reading projects going on, so I figured if I finished reading it I'd forget half of what I wanted to say by the time we were ready to discuss it :-) I'm definitely looking forward to picking it back up, though!
I'm enjoying The Watsons Go to Birmingham. I have to admit that I laughed myself silly for the scene where Byron is kissing his reflection and gets his lips stuck to the mirror of the car. I suspect the daddy was right about what led to the situation. Hilarious! Before we get to that point, though, we meet each of the family - Mama and Daddy Watson, Byron, Kenny and Joey. The central protagonist is Kenny, though we learn a bit about the other characters from how they interact with him.
Byron is a bit of a bully. Kenny, on the other hand, is (mostly) a sweet little boy. His biggest problems are that he has a lazy eye which he's very self-conscious about and the fact that he's a superb reader. Apparently, the second issue wouldn't be such a big deal aside from the fact that his teacher takes him from class to class to show him off to the other students as a "good example". In reality, this just paints a target on him for bullies.
Finally, Kenny finds a friend, Rufus. I have to say, I like Rufus quite a lot. As a country girl I could definitely identify with him. Kenny almost blows it by laughing when some kids pick on Rufus' little brother, but after his mom steps in he's able to patch things up and gets his friend back. It's a good lesson for Kenny, though, I think.
At this point, it's unclear whether or not the story carried on in a straight fashion time-wise, but I get the sense that after the Watsons head for the Aunt's house, we're seeing a flash-back, or a more in-depth look at the characters. I think at some point, the author will bring us back to them going to a warm house and carry on from there.
I stopped when I finished Chapter 3. I wanted to keep going, but at the same time I have several reading projects going on, so I figured if I finished reading it I'd forget half of what I wanted to say by the time we were ready to discuss it :-) I'm definitely looking forward to picking it back up, though!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
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