Swallowing Stones – Pre-Reading Activities
There are three areas that can be addressed before starting to read the book
“Swallowing Stones” (Joyce McDonald). Complete each activity below with the
assistance of the websites provided for the first two and then the pre-reading
activity. You will be given a period to research and complete the activities. This
is due tomorrow before we start reading the book. We will have a short
discussion regarding these assignments before we start.
Activity One: Understanding Police Lingo
One of the main characters, Michael, is faced with understanding the “lingo of
the law.” Use the links below to research the following vocabulary words.
Ensure you put the definitions and any pertinent information into your own
words (may be in point form). Copying from the internet will result in a zero on
your assignment.
Terms to Research
· manslaughter
· involuntary manslaughter
· accessory (in a crime)
· obstruction of justice
· murder
· evidence
· circumstantial evidence
· hard (direct) evidence
· trajectory
· ballistics
Websites to Use
· http://members.aol.com/Welts23/PoliceGlossary.html
· http://www.bbc.co.uk/crime/law/jargonbuster.shtml
· http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/
Activity Two: The Grieving Process
Another main character, Jenna, experiences the loss of her father. As a result, she
goes through much of the grieving process during the course of the book. Follow
the websites below and take notes on the (eight) steps of the grieving process and
take general notes on grief. Be prepared to use these as a reference as we move
through the book. Ensure you put your notes into your own words (may be in
point form). Copying from the internet will result in a zero on your assignment.
Websites to Use
· http://ub-counseling.buffalo.edu/process.shtml
· http://www.grief.com/general.htm
· http://www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/42.cfm
Activity Three: Pre-Reading and Anticipating
Read the following poem by Emily Dickinson and answer the questions below. You will
be asked to anticipate your expectations of the novel (based on the introduction you
have been given and the information above). If you do not know the meaning of a
word, ensure you look it up to help your understanding. Please be advised we will revisit this poem as we move through the novel.
“After Great Pain” – Emily Dickinson
After great pain, a formal feeling comes –
The Nerves sit ceremonious, like Tombs –
The stiff Heart questions was it He, that bore,
And Yesterday, or Centuries before?
The Feet, mechanical, go round –
Of Ground, or Air, or Ought –
A Wooden way
Regardless grown,
A Quartz contentment, like a stone –
This is the Hour of Lead –
Remembered, if outlived,
As Freezing persons, recollect the Snow –
First – Chill – then Stupor – then the letting go –
1) Identify the simile in the first stanza. Explain the comparison and its effect.
2) Identify the metaphor in the third stanza. Explain the comparison and its effect.
3) Identify the simile in the third stanza. Explain the appropriateness of using this
for an explanation of the grieving process.
4) What is the poem saying about the grieving process?
5) How do you think this poem is going to fit with the novel? Which characters are
going to demonstrate these emotions and why?