Whirligig Chart

Assignment: Draw the chart on your paper and fill in the boxes at each chapter. In the first box, describe the whirligig at that location. In the second box, describe the effect the whirligig had on the people who view them. This is due at the end of the book when you turn in the study guide for chapter 9.

City, State Whirligig Effects—Who and HowBellevue, Washington

San Diego, California

Miami, Florida

Weeksboro, Maine

Whirligig Study Guide

Copy the chapter and title on your paper. Do the pre-reading activity, the during-reading chart, and the after reading questions before turning it in.

Chapter 1: ______________________________ (title)

Pre-Reading Activity/Activating Prior Knowledge—answer in three complete sentences.

Have you ever tried to “fit in” but were rejected by a person or group? Explain. How did that make you feel, and what did you do about it? What were the consequences?

During Reading:

Cite 3 places that describe Brent’s thoughts about himself. Tell me what he is thinking and the page number where you found it.Cite 3 places that describe how other people view Brent. Tell me what they say or do and the page number where you found it.Record 3 vocabulary words and their meanings.

Figurative Language: Record one simile, one metaphor, and one piece of imagery for the chapter. List the page number where you found it.

Simile: Metaphor: Imagery:

F.Y.I.:

Simile: a comparison using like or as.

Metaphor: a comparison using no particular language or could use the word is, as in ___ is a ___.

Imagery: Visually descriptive language using any of the senses to describe.

After Reading—choose two of the following questions and answer each in at least two complete sentences (for a total of four sentences or more).

1. Explain the title “Party Time” and its irony.2. Imagine Brent is talking to a psychologist. In his voice, describe what leads him to consider suicide.3. Using your chart and using textual evidence—Would you want Brent as a friend? Why or why not?4. Using your chart and using textual evidence—Would you want the students from the party as your friends? Why

or why not?

Finish all questions and turn in your paper. You will need a new piece of paper for the next chapter.

Copy the chapter and title on your paper. Do the pre-reading activity, the during-reading chart, and the after reading questions before turning it in.

Chapter 2: ______________________________ (title)

Pre-Reading Activity/Activating Prior Knowledge

Before reading the handout “Underage Drinking,” Draw a KWL chart on your paper and write down three things you know about underage drinking. Next, write three questions or things you would like to learn about underage drinking in the second column. Read the article, and write down five things you learned from your reading.

KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO KNOW LEARNED1.2.3.

1.2.3.

1.2.3.4.5.

During Reading:

Cite 6 places that describe the main character (the character narrating) in this chapter. Tell me what the author says and the page number where you found it.

Record 3 vocabulary words and their meanings.

Figurative Language: Record one simile, and two pieces of imagery for the chapter. List the page number where you found it.

Simile: Imagery: Imagery:

F.Y.I.:

Simile: a comparison using like or as.

Imagery: Visually descriptive language using any of the senses to describe.

After Reading—choose two of the following questions and answer each in at least two complete sentences (for a total of four sentences or more).

1. Tell the important information about the character that narrates the chapter.2. Describe the character’s main conflict (name it, explain it, tell how it was resolved).3. Explain how the character comes across one of Brent’s whirligigs. What effect does the whirligig

seem to have on the character’s life?4. What is guided imagery? How does it work? What does Alexandra use it for? How would you

use it if it really worked?

Finish all questions and turn in your paper. You will need a new piece of paper for the next chapter.

Copy the chapter and title on your paper. Do the pre-reading activity, the during-reading chart, and the after reading questions before turning it in.

Chapter 3: ______________________________ (title)

Pre-Reading Activity/Activating Prior Knowledge—answer in three complete sentences.

Listen to the YouTube video of Jason Barber titled “Consequences of Drunk Driving . . . a True Story.” The title of his talk is “Drunk Driving is Not an Accident . . . It Is a Choice.” Do you agree with this? What does Jason’s message against drunk driving mean to you? How does his story make you feel?

During Reading:

Cite 6 places that show how Brent feels about his “sentence.” Tell me what he is thinking and the page number where you found it.

Record 3 vocabulary words and their meanings.

Figurative Language: Record one simile, and two metaphors for the chapter. List the page number where you found it.

Simile: Metaphor: Metaphor:

F.Y.I.:

Simile: a comparison using like or as.

Metaphor: a comparison using no particular language or could use the word is, as in ___ is a ___.

After Reading—choose one of the following questions and answer it in at least two complete sentences (for a total of two sentences or more). Do the required question. Answer it in al least two complete sentences.

1. Focus on the topic of guilt. The judge sentences Brent to probation in place of the detention center. Although most teenaged criminals would welcome probation, Brent wants to be punished. Discuss why Brent needs a punishment.

2. What is Brent’s reaction when he meets Lea’s mother? Why does he say he wishes his parents weren’t around when he sees Mrs. Zamora?

3. How does Brent begin to deal with his guilt on his trip? Do you feel this is a realistic portrayal of guilt? Why or why not? What experiences do you have with guilt that you can relate to Brent?

Required: Read the following poem. Answer the question that follows under the above question.

The Mother Writes to the Murderer: A Letter

"Alicia didn’t like sadness."

The Dallas Morning News

To you whose brain is a blunt fistpushed deep inside your skullwhose eyes are empty bulletswhose mouth is a stone more speechlessthan lost stones at the bottoms of riverswho lives in a shrunken world where nothing blooms and no promise is ever kept

To you whose face I never saw but now seeeverywhere the rest of my life

You don’t know where she hid her buttons

arranged in families by color or sizetissue-wrapped in an oatmeal boxhow she told them goodnight...sleep welland never felt ashamed

You don’t know her favorite wordand I won’t tell you

You don’t have her drawings taped to your refrigeratorblue circuses, red farmsYou don’t know she cried once in a field of cowssaying they were too beautiful to eat

I’m sure you never thought of thatI’m sure nothing is too beautiful for you to eat

You have no idea what our last words were to one anotherhow terribly casualbecause I thought she was going a block awaywith her brother to the storeThey would be back in ten minutes

I was ironing her dresswhile two houses away an impossible darknessrose up around my little girl

What can I wish you in return?

I was thinking knives and pistolshigh voltages searing off your nervesI was wishing you could lose your own lifebit by bit finger by toeand know what my house is like

how many doors I still will have to open

Maybe worse would be for you to love somethingand have it snatched up sifted out of your sightfor what reason?a flurry of angels recalled to heavenand then see how you sitand move and rememberhow you sleep at nighthow you feel about mail my letter to youall the letters passing through all the handsof the people on earthwhen the only one that matters is the one you can neither receive nor send— Naomi Shihab Nye

4. Answer this in as many sentences as necessary in order for it to be complete: Summarize the poem in your own words. Compare the reaction of the poem’s narrator to that of Lea’s mother. How are they the same?

Finish all questions and turn in your paper. You will need a new piece of paper for the next chapter.

Copy the chapter and title on your paper. Do the pre-reading activity, the during-reading chart, and the after reading questions before turning it in.

Chapter 4: ______________________________ (title)

Pre-Reading Activity/Activating Prior Knowledge—answer in three complete sentences.

Is there a certain animal or creature you connect yourself with, one that you feel has the same essence as your character? With what about this creature do you connect? How are you like this animal? How are you different?

During Reading:

Cite 6 descriptions of the main character of this chapter. Tell me the description and the page number where you found it.

Record 3 vocabulary words and their meanings.

Figurative Language: Record three similes for the chapter. List the page number where you found it.

Simile: Simile: Simile:

F.Y.I.:

Simile: a comparison using like or as.

After Reading—choose two of the following questions and answer each in at least two complete sentences (for a total of four sentences or more).

1. Although we don’t know his name, we know a lot about the main character of this chapter. Characterize the street sweeper. What is his personal history? What does he value? Cite with evidence from the text.

2. Describe the character’s main conflict. Name it, explain it, and tell how it is resolved.3. Explain how the character comes across one of Brent’s whirligigs. What effect does the whirligig seem to have

on this character’s life?4. Research Willie Colon’s band. You may use your phone for this. Who is he? Why is he important in the realm of

Hispanic-Americans? What type of music does he play? Why do you think the main character is drawn to Willie Colon’s music?

Finish all questions and turn in your paper. You will need a new piece of paper for the next chapter.

Copy the chapter and title on your paper. Do the pre-reading activity, the during-reading chart, and the after reading questions before turning it in.

Chapter 5: ______________________________ (title)

Pre-Reading Activity/Activating Prior Knowledge—answer in three complete sentences.

As you can tell from the title of this chapter, the stars will be important. Before you read the chapter, write down what you know about the constellations and stars. Hypothesize or predict why the stars may be important to Brent.

During Reading:

Cite 3 places that show Brent is learning to know himself. Tell me what he is thinking and the page number where you found it.Cite 3 places where other people begin to influence Brent positively. Tell me what they say or do and the page number where you found it.Record 3 vocabulary words and their meanings.

Figurative Language: Record one simile, one imagery, and either personification or a metaphor for the chapter. List the page number where you found it.

Simile: Imagery: Personification or Metaphor:

F.Y.I.:

Simile: a comparison using like or as.

Metaphor: a comparison using no particular language or could use the word is, as in ___ is a ___.

Imagery: Visually descriptive language using any of the senses to describe.

Personification: Giving human characteristics to something not human.

After Reading—choose two of the following questions and answer each in at least two complete sentences (for a total of four sentences or more).

1. Describe the people that Brent interacts with at the hostel. How are these people important to the plot of the story and Brent’s journey?

2. Describe how Brent has changed so far. “He had no desire to revive that life. It had all been crumpled in the crash.” What impact has the journey had on him so far. Use textual evidence (examples) to prove your points.

3. What is the evolving theme of the novel? What seems to be the over-arching idea or goal of the story so far? Use three examples from the book to support your theme.

4. Contrast Emil’s friendship with Brent to Brent’s earlier friendship with Jonathan. How are they different?

Finish all questions and turn in your paper. You will need a new piece of paper for the next chapter.

Copy the chapter and title on your paper. Do the pre-reading activity, the during-reading chart, and the after reading questions before turning it in.

Chapter 6: ______________________________ (title)

Pre-Reading Activity/Activating Prior Knowledge—answer in three complete sentences.

Write about a time where you or someone you know made an incorrect assumption (stereotype) about someone based on gender, age, race, religion, or any other stereotypical factor. What did you learn from this experience?

During Reading:

Cite 3 of the stereotypes in this chapter. Explain each one and tell the page number where you found it.Cite 3 places that show how the character feels about himself and his life. Explain each and tell the page number where you found it.Record 3 vocabulary words and their meanings.

Figurative Language: Record three similes for the chapter. List the page number where you found it.

Simile: Simile: Simile:

F.Y.I.:

Simile: a comparison using like or as.

After Reading—choose two of the following questions and answer each in at least two complete sentences (for a total of four sentences or more).

1. This time, we know a lot about the main character of this chapter. Why does Tony feel pressured to succeed? How does he handle this pressure?

2. Explain how the character comes across one of Brent’s whirligigs. What is Tony’s initial reaction to the whirligig? How do his feelings change? What effect does the whirligig seem to have on the character’s life?

3. Write a truthful account of Anthony’s summer from his point of view.

Finish all questions and turn in your paper. You will need a new piece of paper for the next chapter.

Copy the chapter and title on your paper. Do the pre-reading activity, the during-reading chart, and the after reading questions before turning it in.

Chapter 7: ______________________________ (title)

Pre-Reading Activity/Activating Prior Knowledge—answer in three complete sentences.

The United States is the third largest country in the world geographically, after Russia and Canada. With 9,629,091 square kilometers of land, there is bound to be major differences in regions. Often, you will hear an area be referred to as a “belt.” Read the handout “Belts of the United States.” Which areas have you been to or know about? What is new or surprising to you from the reading?

During Reading: This is a very important chapter in Brent’s development. Pay close attention to the chart.

Cite 3 “firsts” in this chapter. Tell me what he is happening and the page number where you found it.

Cite 3 things, people or events that teach Brent something. Explain and tell the page number where you found it.

Record 3 vocabulary words and their meanings.

Figurative Language: Record one simile, one imagery, and one personification for the chapter. List the page number where you found it.

Simile: Imagery: Personification:

F.Y.I.:

Simile: a comparison using like or as.

Imagery: Visually descriptive language using any of the senses to describe.

Personification: Giving human qualities to something not human.

After Reading—choose two of the following questions and answer each in at least two complete sentences (for a total of four sentences or more).

1. Explain the title. Why is this chapter entitled “Apprentices”? Find out the meaning of the word. Who are the apprentices? What are they apprenticed to do? Who else in this chapter is an apprentice and why?

2. Twice in this chapter Brent mentions a “second life.” Why does he feel this way? What indicates that he is living a new life? Again, how is Brent different from the person he was in the first two chapters, using examples from this chapter?

3. Brent compares himself to Robinson Crusoe and Rip Van Winkle. Find out who these people are and tell why Brent feels he is like them. You may use your phone for this.

4. What books does Brent read during this part of the trip? What do they reveal about Brent’s changing character?

Finish all questions and turn in your paper. You will need a new piece of paper for the next chapter.

Copy the chapter and title on your paper. Do the pre-reading activity, the during-reading chart, and the after reading questions before turning it in.

Chapter 8: ______________________________ (title)

Pre-Reading Activity/Activating Prior Knowledge—answer in three complete sentences.

Most of you are familiar with the Holocaust from your study of “Anne Frank” or Night. Summarize what you know about the Holocaust or Auschwitz.

During Reading:

In this chapter, there is another journey. Cite 3 parts of the journey and tell me the page number where you found it.There are two contrasting character. Cite 3 descriptions of the characters. Explain and tell the page number where you found it.Record 3 vocabulary words and their meanings.

Figurative Language: Record two similes and one piece of imagery for the chapter. List the page number where you found it.

Simile: Simile: Imagery:

F.Y.I.:

Simile: a comparison using like or as.

Imagery: Visually descriptive language using any of the senses to describe.

After Reading—choose two of the following questions and answer each in at least two complete sentences (for a total of four sentences or more).

1. What favor did Jenny’s grandmother ask of her? Describe the different parts of the journey. Why did Jenny’s grandmother want to go on the journey?

2. How does the author use the Holocaust to develop the story in this chapter? What effect does the Holocaust have on each character?

3. What was Jennifer’s explanation about why her parents gave her the name Jennifer? What effect did this have on Jennifer? How important do you think a person’s name is? How did you get your name?

4. Where do the characters encounter the whirligig? What is the importance and symbolism of it?

Finish all questions and turn in your paper. You will need a new piece of paper for the next chapter.

Copy the chapter and title on your paper. Do the pre-reading activity, the during-reading chart, and the after reading questions before turning it in.

Chapter 9: ______________________________ (title)

Pre-Reading Activity/Activating Prior Knowledge—answer in three complete sentences.

“The world itself is a whirligig, its myriad parts invisibly linked . . .” (Fleischman 133) Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why?

During Reading:

Cite 3 sections that show Brent’s feelings about himself and his journey. Tell me what he is thinking and the page number where you found it.

Record 3 vocabulary words and their meanings.

Figurative Language: Record one simile, one piece of imagery, and metaphor for the chapter. List the page number where you found it.

Simile: Imagery: Metaphor:

F.Y.I.:

Simile: a comparison using like or as.

Metaphor: a comparison using no particular language or could use the word is, as in ___ is a ___.

Imagery: Visually descriptive language using any of the senses to describe.

After Reading—choose two of the following questions and answer each in at least two complete sentences (for a total of four sentences or more).

1. 1. Brent had an opportunity to visit relatives of his. Why do you think he chose to continue his trip without stopping to visit?

2. The following quote refers to a musician from 1681 that is still listened to today. “The darkness swallows up most of us” (Fleischman 124).

3. Why did Brent tell his story to the artist? What realization did he come to in the process?4. “It felt to Brent like a rite of reentry” (Fleischman 131). To what does this quote refer? What was

the “rite” and what is his “reentry?”5. There is a lot of talk about books in this chapter. What is the importance of books in Brent’s

whole journey? What does he learn from them both literally and figuratively?

Finish all questions and attach the chart to chapter 9 before turning in.

Whirligig Mind Map

Directions:

1. On this paper, list 10 plot points, or significant events in the plot. At least three must include a quote from the novel.2. On the back of this sheet, write the title and author. Arrange the plot points around the title in varying sizes. The larger the

plot point is, the more important it should be to you.3. After I sign off this rough draft, transfer your mind map to ½ sheet of poster board.4. Requirements: 10 plot points, at least three being quotes. Each plot point must have a 20-word explanation. Pictures are

required. Pictures are not plot points. Color is also required. Use arrows to go from one point to another, whether they are coming off the title alone, or whether they follow a path. Neatness counts, as do aesthetics. Make it look great!

5. If you need further examples, see my blog. Other examples will be in the classroom.6. This is due: _________________________

Plot Points:

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