Chapters 15-16 Superstitions

In Chapter 15 Billy thinks that he hears two screech owls. This is supposed to be bad luck. Are there any superstitions that you believe in? Why do you believe in them and do you have an example of them being true or working?

Chapters 13-14 There's No Crying in Reading, or is there?

I know that I have told the class this story but I cry every time that I read Where the Red Fern Grows. I first read the book in 4th grade, actually my teacher, Mrs. Tarver, read it to us. I don’t really remember crying but I do remember liking the book. I forgot about it for a long time, until I was in college. One of my teachers mentioned it in class and I went out and bought a copy at Hastings Book store in St. Joe. I started reading it. At the time my grandmother was very ill and I was pretty emotional over that. I was playing baseball at the time for the Missouri Western Griffons and we had baseball study hall. I took the book with me and couldn’t stop reading it because it was so good but I also couldn’t stop crying. Try crying sometime around a whole team of baseball players. I don’t know if it was the emotions I was feeling about my grandmother or if I just understood the book better. Whatever it was, ever since then it has been my favorite book.

When I first started teaching I wanted to read it with my class. So I got my copy out and started reading it again. This time knowing that I would be teaching it. I still couldn’t keep from crying. Then I decided that I had cried my last tear over the book, I couldn’t cry in front of my class so I read it at home right before I started it with my class. I cried harder that time. Then I started reading it in front of my class. I was firmly convinced that I had the willpower to not cry as I read it. As I got to different parts of the book, I could feel my nose start to tingle (that is how I know when I’m going to cry). I held it back pretty well until the end and then I could hold it back no more. I cried, my class cried, I think people down the hall heard us and they cried. Looking back, it was a really cool experience. Not many teachers cry in front of their class, I think it brought us closer together, not to mention the fact that it takes a very powerful piece of literature to make someone cry. Very few books have had that effect on me ever.

This long story, leads into the question for today which is about crying. Look at the detail that I put into the story above and try to do the same for your answers.Question: On page 163, Billy says, “at that moment I’m sure no boy in the world could have been happier than I. Tears of happiness rolled down my cheeks.” Have you ever cried from happiness? If so describe the situation and how it felt. If not, think of something that might make you cry from happiness and describe it.

Chapters 11-12: The Lightbulb

If you aren’t hooked on the book yet, wait until the next two chapters. I really like the question today because it has to do with teaching and learning. Remember that we have a much larger audience than just our school. Keep this in mind as you write your answer.

Here is your question for chapters 11-12.On page 118 Billy tells about a miracle that helps him save his dogs. He describes it as, “then like a blinding red flash the message of the lantern bored its way into my brain. In teaching we call this the “ah ha” effect, or seeing the light bulb come on. Has this ever happened to you? Describe the situation and how it felt to you. Use vivid details in your description.

Chapter 9-10 Did Billy Have Help?

Before you start writing your answers to the question for Chapters 9-10, I wanted to share with you an answer to one of the questions from the previous post. This is my favorite answer of all time for the question about who worries more about you, your mom or dad. This if from a student I had several years ago.

Here is part of what she had to say:“My mom is the one who worries about me because she is so uptight about things. I also think that it is just a mom thing and they are supposed to worry about you.”I thought this showed some great insight into her family.

Read on for the two questions for today. Be sure to give great answers that others will want to read and remember to separate your answers and answer both questions.

1. By the end of chapter 9, Billy is firmly convinced that he had been helped with the tree. What evidence can you find to explain who helped Billy? Do you agree with his conclusion?

2. On page 100 Billy says that he thinks his Pa is saving the money from his coon hides. Why do you think Pa is saving the money?

I look forward to reading everyone’s answers.