Sunday, September 26, 2010

Finding the Titanic

1. ORGANIZING In this selection, Ballard tells two stories that take place at different times. How does he keep the two stories separate?

2. GENERATING What conditions made the TITANIC especially hard to find? Use details from the story.

3. INTEGRATING Summarize why Robert Ballard was so determined to find the TITANIC.

4. INTEGRATING Why do you think people are still fascinated today by the TITANIC?

5. EVALUATING How would you feel if you were on the TITANIC like Ruth Becker, or with Ballard's crew? Explain your answer.

6. CONNECTION Both Ruth Becker and Grandfather in Grandfather's Journey took trips that changed their lives. Compare how they felt as they looked back on their journeys.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Grandfather's Journey

1. KNOWLEDGE Why was Allen Say's grandfather so impressed by what he saw on his first trip to North America? Use details from the story.

2. ANALYZING How are the journeys that Allen Say and his grandfather take similar? How are they different?

3. ANALYZING Why do you think Allen Say wanted to tell the story of his grandfather's journey?

4. GENERATING If you were seeing North America for the first time, what would impress you the most? Why?

5. INTEGRATING Why did Grandfather keep songbirds in North America and in Japan? Why did he stop?

6. CONNECTIONS How do the settings in Grandfather's Journey and Akiak play an important part in each journey? Be sure to give examples.

Monday, September 6, 2010

AKIAK

Think About the Selection:
1.KNOWLEDGE What qualities make Akiak such a good lead dog? Give reasons for your answer.
2. ANALYZING The author tells the story by breaking it down into days. Why do you think he chose to do that?
3. GENERATING How do you think Mick feels when she sends Akiak home on Day Four? Would you have made the same decision?
4. GENERATING One man helps Akiak by opening a door for her. Why do you think he did that?
5. EVALUATING Did Akiak really win the race? Give reasons for your answer.
6. CONNECTIONS Why is this particular journey so important to Akiak and Mick?