Discussion+Starters



Walk Two Moons

__**Day 1 in the Lab**__ 1. Why did Sal's father insist on her traveling with her grandparents to Idaho? Use evidence from the novel to support your answer.

2. Who does Sal decide to tell her grandparents a story about? Why did she choose to tell this story other than another story? Use evidence from the novel to support your answer.

3. How did Sal get her name and what is the significance behind her name? Use evidence from the novel to support your answer.

4. Compare how Sal's mother is similar to and different from her parents (Sal's grandparents). Use evidence from the novel to support your answers.

1. In the past we discussed the use of verbal irony in literature. What clues did the author give that helped the reader infer that Mrs. Partridge was blind? What do you think was ironic about Mrs. Partridge being blind?
 * __Day 2 in the Lab__**

2. Use an event from Chapter 5 to support Sal's statement, "My grandparents can get into trouble as easily as a fly can land on a watermelon."

3. If you were Mrs. Winterbottom, how would you have felt about the way in which your family treated you?

4. Explain why blackberries reminded Sal of her mother. Explain something that reminds you of another person. Day 3

Day 4

Where the Red Fern Grows


 * __Day 1 in Lab__**

1. Writers develop the personality of their characters through methods of characterization. When using indirect characterization, a writer reveals the characters personality by showing what the character does and by showing what others think and say about the character. What have you learned about the main character(s) so far. Use evidence from the novel to support your answer.

2. Were you surprised that Billy put so much time and energy into saving money for the two dogs? Why or why not? Use evidence from the novel to support your answer.

3. Compare and contrast how are you similar to and different than Billy? Use evidence from the novel to support your answer.

4. Why do you think Grandpa was so surprised when Billy brought in his fifty dollars? Use evidence from the novel to support your answer.

__**Day 2 in Lab**__ 1. Analyze a time when you wanted something as bad as Billy wanted red coonhounds. Describe what you did to get what you wanted. In what ways were you like Billy in getting what you wanted? In what ways were you different?

2. When Billy traveled into town to pick up his pups, he was often started at, laughed at, and even beaten up. Billy mentioned not ever wanting to live in town and attend school. Reflect back on a time a time when you felt like you didn’t belong. Described what happened and how you felt. How were your feelings similar to and different than Billy’s? Explain.

3. Several times in the novel, Billy describes times, in certain situations, when those around him cried. Identify three times which Billy mentions someone crying or getting teary-eyed as a result of something that was said or had happened. What could you infer from the reactions of those individuals in each situation?

4. Billy takes several steps to reach his dream of getting two red coonhounds. Sequence (describe in order) the steps Billy took in order to fulfill his dream.

Day 3

Day 4

Summer of My German Soldier

1. Writers develop the personality of their characters through methods of characterization. When using indirect characterization, a writer reveals the characters personality by showing what the character does and by showing what others think and say about the character. What have you learned about the main character(s) so far. Use evidence from the novel to support your answer.
 * __Day 1 in Lab__**

2. Who is your favorite character so far and why? Use evidence from the novel to support your answer.

3. What do you feel was different about Reiker? Use evidence from the novel to support your answer.

4. What was Patty's only admitted ambition? Why do you think this is her only admitted ambition? Use evidence from the novel to support your answer.

__**Day 2 in Lab**__ 1. What did you think about Reiker's character when he was first introduced to the story? How do you think he might play an important role in the story?

2. How does Patty's character seem to be so different than her sister's? Why do you think her father seems to dislike her so much? Use evidence from the novel to support your answer.

3. Why do you think its okay for Sharon to take money from her grandmother? Day 3

Day 4