Sunday, April 3, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
CHAPTERS 10-15
Please select ONE of the following questions and respond:
1) Why does Kenny's behavior after the Watsons return home worry his parents? What is wrong with him?
2) Why do you think the author describes the colors of the victims' dresses as the colors of the American flag?
3) Why does author Curtis say that those who worked for racial equality during the civil rights era are true American heroes?
1) Why does Kenny's behavior after the Watsons return home worry his parents? What is wrong with him?
2) Why do you think the author describes the colors of the victims' dresses as the colors of the American flag?
3) Why does author Curtis say that those who worked for racial equality during the civil rights era are true American heroes?
Friday, January 28, 2011
CHAPTERS 7-9
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?
*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 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
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