Gerber-English 1
I’m called_______________________#____
Tears of a Tiger, by Sharon Draper
Don’t lose me… I’ll be worth lots of points!
How do we survive loss?
1
Target
Term
Don’t Heard
Know It of It
Know
It
It Means…
Grief
Cope
Depression
Denial
Trauma
Consciousness
Psychologist
Support Network
Severe emotional
strain
Resiliency
2
Association Words
(Synonyms)
Positive:
+
Negative
-
Neutral
Personal Association/Connection to YOU
/
Grief
Cope
Depression
Denial
Trauma
Consciousness
Psychologist
Support
Network
Severe
emotional
strain
Resiliency
3
What does it mean to be FAIR?
Describe an experience where your consequence was unfair. What made it unfair?
Fair/Unfair
Why? (Your experience)
Life
Parents
Siblings
Guilt
Junior High School
High School
America
Work/Boss
Friendships
Loss/
Death
4
Think long and hard about the next two questions. I want you to write and write a LOT. Make your hand hurt! We’ll talk afterwards.
What is a crime?
Do all crimes DESERVE punishment?
Are all crimes punished?
5
Read the following statements. Decide if you agree or disagree with the statement listed. Write a “+”
for agree and “-“ for disagree. Underneath the statement, explain why: jot down a short explanation: you
will be sharing these in pairs.
1. ______“‘Time heals all wounds when you’re young… strong and resilient’” (139).
2. ______ “‘There are some things that are beyond our power and control’” (26).
3. ______If someone is often smiling and joking, chances are he/she is a happy person.
4. ______ “You never get out from under the blame you put on yourself” (171).
5. ______ “It takes courage to get up each morning…” (173)
6. ______ “‘Parents ain’t got no grip on reality’” (46).
7. ______If a car filled with drunk teenagers crashes, the driver deserves most of the blame.
8. ______When we lose someone close to us, we lose part of ourselves, too.
PREDICTION Be as specific as possible!
Based on the statements above and the vocabulary words we discussed, I think Tears of a Tiger is a
book about ___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
6
Tonight’s homework…
This must be completed on a SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER… (Mrs. G will give
you this.) Feel free to draw a brief sketch on the bottom of this page, but you must
actually draw this on a separate sheet to turn in for credit.
Based on the amount we’ve read so far, your job is to capture a moment. Choose a
setting, a character, an interaction, introduction… something that puts a concrete
image in your mind and “captures” a specific, significant piece of this book and your
reaction. Then, draw it. (You don’t have to be the world’s best artist. I’m looking for
expression, creativity, color, and effort.)
Here’s what your creation needs to include:
*A title
*A drawing capturing a moment of your choice
*A quote (line from the book, cited) that explains what you’re trying to capture
*An explanation: WHY does this seem significant to you?
7
Study Guide, Section 1 (3-32) Due:
Read, Reflect, WRITE
1. Gerald says, “I swear, sometimes a girlfriend is worse than a mother” (7). What does he mean by this? Do you
agree or disagree with him? Why?
1b. Notes: Facts, connections, plans, relationship to group (pgs 3-17)
Andy
Rob
Gerald
Tyrone
B.J.
Keisha
Rhonda
2. On page 17, B.J. explains “I feel responsible.” Do you think he is? Explain.
3. Page 25: Describe how Andy and Rob met. How does this compare to how you met your best friend?
Andy and Rob’s meeting
Meeting your best friend
8
Study Guide, Section 1 (3-32) Due:
Read, Reflect, WRITE
4. Pg 27: What does the coach say about crying/tears? Do you agree or disagree? Explain.
5. Based on the information from page 22-28, describe the coach.
6. Have you ever had a teacher that you could talk to like Andy talks to his coach? Explain this
relationship, or explain a relationship you had with a teacher that was the opposite extreme.
7. In a letter to Sandra, Rhonda explains, “You kinda figure if you’re 17, you’ll live forever.” Do you
believe most teenagers have this mindset? How about you? EXPLAIN.
8. On page 31 and 32, Rhonda describes Andy’s parents. What can you infer about his home life and
relationship with his parents based on Rhonda’s description?
9. Describe the manner in which the book is written… what kind of narration is this? Have you ever
read anything like this? How do you feel about this style?
9
…Simply a way to think about the four main things that all writers have to consider:
Role of the Writer: Who are you as the writer? Are you Abraham Lincoln? A warrior? A homeless person?
An auto mechanic? The endangered snail darter?
Audience: To whom are you writing? Is your audience the American people? A friend? Your teacher? Readers of
a newspaper? A local bank?
Format: What form will the writing take? Is it a letter? A classified ad? A speech? A poem?
Topic: What's the subject or the point of this piece? Is it to persuade a goddess to spare your life? To plead for a
re-test? To call for stricter regulations on logging?


Role

Audience

writer

self

journal /diary

artist

peer group

editorial

adventurer

government

brochure/booklet

juror

parents

interview

judge

fictional character(s)

song lyrics

historian

committee

cartoon

reporter/journalist

jury

critique

therapist

judge

newspaper article

Parent

Any Character in text

complaint

Teen

Your own idea!

confession

Advertisement
Agency

eulogy/obituary


Advertisement
President


review
Police Officer


resume
Paramedic


TV script
Any character from
the text

will & testament
Your own idea!

yearbook

poetry


Format
Topic

The book overall

A character’s choices and
consequences

A conflict that has come up
in the text

A theme of the text

Whether or not peers
should read this text

The most important lesson
the main character(s) learns

Regrets of characters
10
RAFT RUBRIC
Name___________________________#___
Care of: Hinrichs/Miller/Leonard
BOOK TITLE:____________________________________AUTHOR: _____________________________
ROLE:___________ AUIENCE:_______________ FORMAT:___________ TOPIC:___________
YOUR OVERALL OPINION OF BOOK:_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Raft Rubric
5
Accuracy
Perspective
Focus
Development
3
1
0
Information, details in
RAFT always accurate
and properly reflects
information, ideas and
themes related to the
subject
The information
you provide in
RAFT is accurate
but could use more
support
The information
you provide in
you RAFT has
some
inaccuracies or
omissions
The information you
provide in your
RAFT is incomplete
and/or inaccurate
RAFT maintains clear,
consistent point of view,
tone and ideas relevant
to role played; ideas and
information always tied
to role and audience
RAFT stays on topic,
never drifts from required
form or type; details and
information are included
that are pertinent only to
developed purpose.
You explain how
your character
would feel about
the event(s)
You show little
insight into how
your character
would feel or act
during the
event(s)
You spend some
time discussing
issues off topic
You do not
accurately develop
your characters
thoughts or
reactions to the
event(s)
Most of your RAFT
is spent on issues
that do not directly
deal with the RAFT
you choose
Writer answers
questions before reader
answers; there is specific
evidence and concrete
language
Writer attempts to
develop ideas but
we’re starting to
have some
questions… can
you tell us more?
Writer seems to
try to develop,
but the reader
still has lots of
questions.
What are you talking
about, buddy?
Essay contains
some fragments,
run-ons or other
errors; occasional
mechanical
mistakes; writing
generally clear
Essay contains
several sentence
errors, mechanical
mistakes that may
interfere with
ideas, clarity of
ideas in writing
You spend most of
the RAFT
discussing issues
on topic, but
occasionally stray
from the focus.
Content ___/20points
Mechanics
Essay contains few to
no fragments, run-on
sentences; rare spelling
errors or mechanical
mistakes; writing is
fluent
Essay is
marred by
numerous
errors,
mechanical
mistakes
Grammar: ____/10 points
11
Study Guide, Section 2 (33-53) Due:
Read, Reflect, WRITE
1. What can you infer about Gerald’s home life based on his journal, pages 33-34? Be specific and
refer to clues in his writing.
2. Page 35: What’s been noticed about Andy lately?
3. What happened in the basketball game (36-38)? How do you think Andy feels about this?
4. What’s the difference between Rob’s parents and Andy’s parents? (39)
Rob’s Parents
Andy’s Parents
5. How do your parents/family compare to Andy and Rob’s?
6. The coach tells Andy, “Go ahead and cry, Andy. Don’t be afraid of those tears. Sometimes they help to
wash the soul clean…” (40). What do these words of advice reveal about the coach?
7. Page 42: Does Andy think he needs a “shrink”? Do you agree with him? Explain.
8. What kind of symptoms does Andy have? (43)
12
Study Guide, Section 2 (33-53) Due:
Read, Reflect, WRITE
9. On page 44, Andy describes the teachers at his school. Describe these teachers. How do they
compare to teachers at Fremd?
10. Also on page 44: Does Andy consider himself a killer? Do you think he is a killer?
Quote
Description
11. Describe Andy’s family in his perspective. Find at least one quote to support your claim
Andy’s Mom
Andy’s dad
Andy’s brother, Monty
12. Page 48: Does basketball help or hurt Andy?
13. What is the significance of Andy’s position on the basketball game? How does he feel about it?
14. Pgs 50-51: What’s happening with Andy and Keisha?
15. Pgs 52-53: What’s going on with Andy’s schoolwork?
16. On the study guide for section 1, I asked you to describe about the writing style. Which kind of
style is your favorite right now? (Journals, dialogues, letters, papers, etc). Explain why!
13
Read, Reflect, WRITE
Study Guide, Section 3 (54-65) Due:
FINDING FRUSTRATION, T-notes
Overall Focus
of Search:
QUOTE
(include pg!)
Frustration
EXPLANATION
(my reaction)
14
M)Title of Book_________________Author___________________Character_________________
Brief Description of Character:
(M)Choose One of the following responses:
I connect most with this character
I have the least respect for this character
This character can best be described as _________
I respect this character the most
I can relate most to this character
I feel the worst for this character
Because_________________________________________________________________
Three reasons/proof
E Reason
L WHY (explain how it proves your main idea
1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
My four favorite transitions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
15
Character
Robert Washington
Andy Jackson
Tyrone Mills
BJ Carson
Gerald Nickelby
Description
Proof (with
page
number)
Explanation:
why quote
proves
description
16
Character
Keisha Montgomery
Rhonda Jeffries
Coach Mark Ripley
Dr. Carrothers
(Psychologist)
Keisha Montgomery
Description
Proof (with
page
number)
Explanation:
why quote
proves
description
17
INSTRUCTIONS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Create a MOOD POEM
State a mood
Write three things the mood is not (two stated briefly, one stated as a comparison)
Switch to a statement of what the mood is.
State three more descriptions of the mood.
Example:
I’m sick
Not pain-filled headache sick
Not ache in the stomach sick
Not sick like a man recovering from a case
of the seven day flu that attacked his ulcer
after his heart attack sick
But the mildly all-over sick
Sick that the nation still builds nuclear plans
Sick that I’m too sick to do much except be sick.
Choose your mood and begin writing….
I’m ______________.
TITLE:
Not
Not
Not
But
______________ that
______________ that
18
INSTRUCTIONS:
Create an “I DO NOT UNDERSTAND” POEM
1. Begin the poem with “I do not understand.”
2. List three things you do not understand about the world or people.
3. Name the thing you do not understand most of all.
4. End with an example of something you do understand.
Example:
I do not understand
why people must have revenge
why some people live for drugs
why others live for money
But most of all I do not understand
why people don’t believe
we are running out of oil
(I still see drivers burning rubber
driving well over 55
going to work alone
like kings in their royal cars).
What I understand most are people who are depressed
who see a dismal future
where the world’s light
is extinguished on the altar of greed
each person demanding his own corner
of the planet and saying
to hell with everyone else
(use back for additional space!)
I do not understand



But most of all I do not understand
What I understand most
19
INSTRUCTION:
Create a “Series of Lies” Poem
1. Tell a series of lies about yourself.
2. Begin with the line “I wish I were not so…” (Insert lie here)
3. End the poem with an “if” section
Example
I wish I were not so incredibly brilliant.
My incredible mind overflows with ideas
Weighing me down with knowledge
I am so smart that I wrote volumes 4, 8 and 16
Of the Encyclopedia Britannica
I’ve read every book in Phoenix Public Library
And for recreation
I decipher Mayan hieroglyphics.
If a car were to run over me,
The gutters would be filled with learning
And bits of my brain would shine in the street
Like the morning sun
I wish ______________________________________________________
If____________________________________________________________
20
Read, Reflect, WRITE
Study Guide, Section 4 (70-102) Due:
6 Memorable Passages
Memorable Passage
Page
Why… connection to me, the world, and questions
21
6 Memorable Passages
Memorable Passage
Page
Why… connection to me, the world, and questions
22
Study Guide, Section 5 (105-132) Due:
1. PG 103-5: List 2 Memories of Andy
Read, Reflect, WRITE
Why do Andy’s memories include Rob’s parents, too?
2. PG 103-5: What might Rob’s parents write back? Be sure to explain why! Write here…
Dear Andy,
3. Pg 107: What does Ms. Blackwell say about suicide? Do you agree or disagree with her opinion?
4.Pg: 109 At the end of the section, Andy runs out of the classroom. Why do you think he does that?
Connect what’s going on with him with the discussion about Macbeth.
5. Pg 111: BJ compares himself to Andy. How are they different in how they cope?
B.J.
Andy
Study Guide, Section 5 (105-132) Due:
Read, Reflect, WRITE
23
6. Pg: 112-Your opinion: Did the boys do the right thing by talking to Ms. Thorne?
Yes
Sort of
No
Explain:
7. Pg 113: Did Ms. Thorne do enough to help?
Yes
Sort of
Explain:
No
8. Pg 114: What does the psychologist agree to with regards to the meetings? How do you feel about
his decision? (Note the dates of both this meeting and the confrontation with his friends earlier. How far apart are they?)
9. Pg 119: What specific concerns does Ms. Blackwell have about Andy?
a.
b.
c.
d.
What do YOU think is going on? What should the teachers and parents do?
10. Pg 122: Andy’s father tells Ms. Blackwell, “I appreciate your efforts, but I feel that you might be
overly concerned about a situation that is under control”(122). Agree/Disagree… Is the situation under control?
Study Guide, Section 5 (105-132) Due:
Read, Reflect, WRITE
24
11. Pg 125: When Monty and Andy are talking, Monty tells Andy about a tiger he drew with tears. Why
would a crying tiger represent Andy? (Why the tiger?) How does this connect with the title?
12. Write one shocking thing said by the teachers along with your response to it.
Teacher Statement
Response
13. Pg 128: How is Keisha feeling about her relationship with Andy?
14. Will It be possible for Keisha to end things easily? Will she go through with it? Explain.
15. What’s progressed in Rhonda and Tyrone’s relationship?
16. Why do you think the author chose to use this writing style vs. simply first or third person? What
advantages are there? Disadvantages?
25
Probable Passage (Pre 133) Section 6a Due:
Andy
Public Pleasure
Private Pain
Laughter
No smile
Keisha
Nerves
“little fight”
Read, Reflect, WRITE
Andy’s mom
“unfortunate incident”
dream of drowning
“Maybe I should call Carothers”
“I don’t care”
Dad’s hectic schedule
Reprehensible report card
Assimilate- fit in
Use these words to PREDICT what will happen in the next section: (Each column is a separate mini-chapter)
26
Summary Passage (133-154) Section 6b Due:
Andy
Public Pleasure
Private Pain
Laughter
No smile
Keisha
Nerves
“little fight”
Read, Reflect, WRITE
Andy’s mom
“unfortunate incident”
dream of drowning
“Maybe I should call Carrothers”
“I don’t care”
Dad’s hectic schedule
Reprehensible report card
Assimilate- fit in
Use the words to write a SUMMARY of what happened in this section (Each column is a separate
mini-chapter.)
27
Free Write (155-171) Section 7 Due:
Read, Reflect, WRITE
React to Andy’s CHOICE.
28
Not Waving But Drowning
By, Stevie Smith
Nobody heard him, the dead man,
But still he lay moaning:
I was much further out than you thought
And not waving but drowning.
Poor chap, he always loved larking
And now he's dead
It must have been too cold for him his heart gave way,
They said.
Oh, no no no, it was too cold always
(Still the dead one lay moaning)
I was much too far out all my life
And not waving but drowning.
Your reaction:_______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Connection to Andy? _________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
29
Read the following statements. Decide if you think the BOOK supports the statement listed. Write a “+”
for agree and “-“ for disagree. Underneath the statement, explain why: jot down a short explanation
referring to specific incidents and characters. Please look back at your study guides to jog your memory!
1. ______“‘Time heals all wounds when you’re young… strong and resilient’” (139).
2. ______ “‘There are some things that are beyond our power and control’” (26).
3. ______If someone is often smiling and joking, chances are he/she is a happy person.
4. ______ “You never get out from under the blame you put on yourself” (171).
5. ______ “It takes courage to get up each morning…” (173)
6. ______ “‘Parents ain’t got no grip on reality’” (46).
7. ______If a car filled with drunk teenagers crashes, the driver deserves most of the blame.
8. ______When we lose someone close to us, we lose part of ourselves, too.
30