List in notebooks examples of responsible and irresponsible behavior (make 2 columns) - discuss (pre-reading)
Read 1-28 of Breathing Underwater
Record 3 observations about Nick and his father (find 3 examples - lines from the text and page #s - to support
assertions)
Journal: (What do our observations tell us about Nick?)
Pre-reading paragraph: describe the lifestyle of a typical high school student
Breathing Underwater 29-56
What is the lifestyle of the students in this novel?
Venn diagram their H.S. observations and those in the book
Write compare/contrast paragraph
Breathing Underwater: 57-80
Group Activity: Word collage - what words are used in the media to reflect violence (write them in or cut from
newspaper or magazine) – or design a word collage/advertisement against abuse in relationships
Breathing Underwater: 81-110
3 examples of what you consider “controlling behavior”, 3 examples of what Mario considers “controlling
behavior”, and 3 examples of Nick’s “controlling behavior”. (Columns
Breathing Underwater: 111-137
Possible questions for them:

What are more indications of Nick and Caitlin’s insecurity?

What does Tom talk to Nick about and how does Nick react?

Is Tom out of line, or is he trying to help Nick?

What does Mario try to teach the class?

What revelations does Nick arrive at?
Essay Topics (please post these on the board):
Controlling behavior
Dating
Violence
Abuse
Relationships
Counseling
Control
Anger management
Silence
Secret keeping
Breathing Underwater: 138-165
Possible questions to discuss:
Discuss Saint’s relationship with Caitlin and how Nick responds to it.
What is Saint trying to do?
Why does Nick call Caitlin? Why doesn’t she show up? Would you show up to meet him?
How vulnerable is Caitlin and what signs do we see of her vulnerability?
What changes to we see in Nick?
What is Nick’s relationship with Leo? Why is this so important?
Students should list in their notebooks 3-5 places where they see Nick’s denial of needing help (or denial about
abusing his girlfriend)
Breathing Underwater: 166-192
Discuss Leo and his relationship with his girlfriend. How is Nick like and unlike Leo?
Indications Nick is learning something…
Why is Caitlin’s past so important? What else do we find out about her mother and their relationship?
What is your reaction to Nick’s actions now? Was it just a slap like he said in the beginning?
Should Nick have read his poem? What was it about? Why didn’t he read it?
What is Caitlin’s reaction to Nick after he hit her? What has changed in their relationship?
Post-reading: find 5 key events in Nick & Caitlin’s relationship - students need to write the event and
the page numbers. Discuss the events and why students find these to be the most important.
Breathing Underwater: 193-218
Why does Caitlin accept the ring?
What does the ring signify for Nick?
What does Nick discover about his teacher(s)?
There is an important moment between Nick and his father, what is this moment, and is it really
positive moment? In the long run, does it help Nick at all, or only harm him more?
What is Tom’s fear? How are he and Nick similar?
Why didn’t Nick talk to Tom?
What does Nick’s teacher do for him?
a
Character chart: Students should make a chart (similar to the chart below) for the following characters
Nick
Tom
Caitlin
Nick’s Dad
Caitlin’s Mom
Students should list 3 adjectives under each character
Discuss/Group share the decisions students made (they should add to their lists based on what others contribute)
Breathing Underwater: 219-246
Look at adjectives/characters from Thursday 6/30 - choose one adjective for each character and write an example
that supports the adjective (write the example and page number)
Group Discussion:
Students in groups: Teacher draws question
Students get 3 minutes to arrive at a consensus (like they are a jury)