Lambrinou 7th
Touching Spirit Bear Study
Lambrinou 7th
Touching Spirit Bear Study
Touching Spirit Bear Vocabulary List
Activity: Choose 5-6 words from the list and a) write the definition in your own words; b) draw a
picture/symbol that will help you remember the meaning of the word; c) write a sentence using
each word of your choice.
Chapter 1
defiant (p.3) Marked by defiance; boldly resisting (adjective)
banishment (p.3) state of exile; being sent away from your home (noun)
skiff (p.3) A flat-bottom open boat of shallow draft, having a pointed bow and a square stern and propelled by
oars, sail, or motor. (noun)
vicious (p.7) cruel, fierce (adjective)
Circle Justice (p. 12) a form of justice designed to rehabilitate and heal youth rather than contain them in
detention centers (noun)
Chapter 2
grudgingly (p.15) give or let have unwillingly (adverb)
moseyed (p.16) shuffled along; ambled (verb)
at`oow (p.19)a tradition of passing on a gift which cannot be owned - only cared for before passing it on to
another person (noun)
devil's club (p. 17) A spiny deciduous shrub of western North America, having wide palmate leaves, greenishwhite flowers, and scarlet fruit clustered in umbels; a plant whose thistles will infect skin and cause swelling.
(noun)
Lambrinou 7th
Touching Spirit Bear Study
barrage (p. 24) a rapid attacking outpouring or something (gunfire, words, etc) (noun)
fantasized (p.22) imagined in fanciful way (verb)
venomous (p.24) spiteful; poisonous (adjective)
Chapter 3
sullenly (p.26) indicative of gloomy behavior or ill humor (adverb)
scoffed (p.33) filled with scorn, mockery (verb)
Chapter 4
symbolizes (p.38) To represent or identify by a symbol. To use symbols (verb)
obligations (p.38) - A social, legal, or moral requirement, such as a duty, contract, or promise that compels
one to follow (noun)
Chapter 5
illusion (p.41) deception; false impression (noun)
dignity (p.44) The quality or state of being worthy of esteem or respect (noun)
isolate - To separate (verb)
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Touching Spirit Bear Study
devoted (p.46) dedicated (verb)
Chapter 6
taunted (p.48) to provoke, ridicule or tease (verb)
persistent (p. ) Insistently repetitive or continuous: a persistent ringing of the telephone. (adjective)
scrounged (p. ) to acquire something by begging or borrowing without intending to give back (verb)
manipulated (p.57) to control or influence somebody in an ingenious or devious way; to operate, use or
handle something (verb)
Chapter 7
remote (p. ) situated a long way away; far from civilization (adjective)
vanished (p.59) to disappear suddenly or without explanation (verb)
boughs (p.60) - branches in a tree or bushy plants (noun)
shrouded (p.60) - Something that conceals, protects, or screens: under a shroud of fog (adjective)
fetal (p.60) pertaining to womb like character, curled in a ball (adjective)
incessant (p. 63) - Continuing without interruption (adjective)
Chapter 8
gluttonous (p. 68) Indulging in something, such as an activity, to excess; voracious (adjective)
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Touching Spirit Bear Study
brazenly (p.68) boldly, shamelessly (adverb)
mauling (p.69) - being tackled, attacking (verb)
seeped (p.71) oozed; passed gradually (verb)
bile (p. 72) - Any of the liver-generated steroid acids, such as cholic acid, that commonly occur in the bile, or a
feeling of bitterness or irritability (noun)
Chapter 9
haphazard ( p.75) - By chance; casually (adjective)
stupor (p.76) state of deadened sensibility; apathy (noun)
detonated (p.77) - To explode or cause to explode (verb)
Chapter 10
squandered (p.84) wasted (verb)
grueling (p.85) exhausting, tiring (adjective)
Chapter 11
replenish (p.89) fill again (verb)
forage (p.91) to hunt or search out (verb)
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Touching Spirit Bear Study
Chapter 12
meager (p.95) sparse, scanty (adjective)
silhouetted (p.96) – shadowed, outlined (adjective)
bizarre (p.98) - Strikingly unconventional and far-fetched in style or appearance; odd (adjective)
Chapter 13
antibiotics (p.104) a substance able to kill bacteria in the body. Antibiotics are widely used in the prevention
and treatment of infectious diseases (noun)
mauled (p.110) handled or used roughly (verb)
Chapter 14
hobbled (p. 115) A hobbling walk or gait, walked with a limp (verb)
violated (p.123) broke a promise, showed disrespect (verb)
prosecution (p.124) carry on a lawsuit (noun)
Chapter 15
diminished (p.126) to make or become smaller or less important (verb)
sarcastically (p.129) - ...Expressing or marked by sarcasm (remarks that mean the opposite of what they seem
to say and are intended to mock or deride) (adverb/adjective)
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Touching Spirit Bear Study
resignation (p.130) patient acceptance; quiet submission (adjective)
Chapter 16
irked (p.134) irritated, annoyed (adjective)
savoring (p.139) to enjoy something with unhurried appreciation (verb)
Chapter 17
vulnerable (p.144) capable of being wounded (adjective)
Chapter 18
wearily (p.150) exhausted, without energy (adverb)
redemption (p.157) deliverance, forgiveness (noun)
Chapter 19
dawdled (p.165) wasted time, idled (verb)
Chapter 20
stifled (p.169) smothered, suppressed (verb)
Chapter 21
desperate (p.178) no hope; despair (adjective)
Lambrinou 7th
Touching Spirit Bear Study
depression (p.182) gloominess, sadness (noun)
ancestry (p.183) somebody’s ancestors regarded as a line linking the modern generation to its past (noun)
totem (p.183) 1. an object, animal, plant, or other natural phenomenon revered as a symbol of a tribe and
often used in rituals among some tribal or other traditional groups of people 2. a carving or other
representation of a totem (noun)
Chapter 22
ingenuity (p.186) cleverness; skill in planning (adjective)
Chapter 23
meandered (p.190) followed a winding course (verb)
ceremoniously ( p. 191) - ...Strictly observant of or devoted to ceremony, ritual, or etiquette; punctilious:
borne on silvery trays by ceremonious world-weary waiters (adverb)
writhed (p.193) twist and turn (verb)
welled (p.194) rose up, flowed out (verb)
Chapter 24
treacherous (p.198) not reliable, deceiving (adjective)
routine (p.204) fixed, regular method of doing things (adjective or noun, depending on usage)
Chapter 25
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Touching Spirit Bear Study
hesitant (p.209) doubtful; undecided (adjective)
rehabilitation (p.213) restoration to good use (noun)
Chapter 26
assaulted (p.217) sudden, vigorous attack (verb)
custody (p.219) charge or care (noun)
smirk (p.224) self-satisfied smile (noun or verb, depending on usage)
Chapter 27
maneuvered (p.229) skillfully planned movement (verb)
indifferently ( p. 229) 1. Having no particular interest or concern; apathetic: indifferent to the sufferings of
others. 2. Having no marked feeling for or against: She remained indifferent... (adverb)
mesmerize (p.230) hypnotize (verb)
Chapter 28
pummeled (p.236) beat (verb)
massive (p. 238) - Large or imposing, as in quantity, scope (adjective)
Lambrinou 7th
Touching Spirit Bear Study
Cole Matthews: Before and After
Instructions: Think about what kind of person Cole Matthews is. Things to consider: What
drives him as a person? What causes him to get into trouble? Who does he blame for his
actions/ consequences? How old is he? What does he look like? Use this representation of
Cole to organize your thoughts. Write on the man what you think Cole’s most important
characteristics/ character traits are (what a character looks like on the outside = external
traits, what a character is like on the inside = internal traits). Use this organizer to describe
Cole like he was in the beginning of the novel.
Lambrinou 7th
Touching Spirit Bear Study
Instructions: Write on the man what you think Cole’s most important characteristics/
character traits are (what a character looks like on the outside = external traits, what a
character is like on the inside = internal traits). Use this organizer to describe Cole like he was
at the end of the novel.
Lambrinou 7th
Touching Spirit Bear Study
Character Profile Tic-Tac-Toe for Cole Matthews
Using your Cole Matthews Graphic Organizer (before and after) as a guide, choose one of the
activities below to complete.
Facebook profile
Create a Facebook character
profile for Cole Matthews
describing him at the
beginning of the novel and
also showing how he
changed from the beginning
to the end of the novel
(through wall updates).
Cole Matthews poster
Using magazines or
newspapers, cut out pictures
and words that connect to
Cole Matthews. You can also
use drawings and your own
words to add to the poster.
In one section of your poster,
write a short paragraph (4-5
sentences) describing Cole
from the beginning to the
end of the novel.
Character Venn Diagram
Create a Venn Diagram
comparing and contrasting
Cole in the beginning of the
novel to Cole in the end of
the novel (must include 5-6
differences and 2-3
similarities).
Storybird
Create a Storybird “book”
that illustrates Cole’s physical
and emotional change from
the beginning to the end of
the novel. Show how Cole
comes across to the reader
as a dynamic character
(dynamic characters change
in the course of the story
while static characters stay
the same).
Cole’s iPod playlist
Using songs of your choice,
create a song playlist that
you think would best
represent Cole Matthews (810 songs). Underneath each
song choice explain a) why
you chose that song and b)
how the lyrics connect to
Cole.
Gameboard
Create a gameboard showing
everything that Cole has to
go through in the novel to
finally be the person he
becomes at the end of the
book. You may use lego
pieces, clay figures or any
other objects to move
around the gameboard. Your
game needs to include
rules/instructions that you
must write/type on a piece of
paper, as well as game cards
(question cards).
Timeline
Character sketch
Conflict
Using pictures and sentences, Create a two paragraph
Create/build a structure that
create a timeline illustrating
character profile of Cole
shows all the types of conflict
the experiences in Cole’s life Matthews. This should include that take place in the novel.
details of Cole’s age and
from the beginning of the
On cards that you attach to
appearance,
his
personality,
and
book and throughout his
your structure, explain, in 2-3
his
past;
in
addition,
write
what
time in Alaska. Put these
sentences, why you chose
events in order. Also, explain you think Cole’s strengths and
those types of conflict and
weaknesses are, his
in 2-3 sentences for each
where they happen in the
relationships with others, and
event, how Cole changed
book.
what others think of him.
through your timeline.
Include your own opinion about
Cole and justify it.
Lambrinou 7th
Touching Spirit Bear Study
Lambrinou 7th
Touching Spirit Bear Study
Theme Tic-Tac-Toe for Touching Spirit Bear
One of the themes, or life lessons, of the novel, is perseverance (never giving up). Choose one
of the following options that help highlight/express the theme of the novel.
Totem Pole
Draw or create a totem pole that
shows the theme of perseverance
story and illustrates how that
theme is expressed through the
characters, plot, and setting of the
novel.
Venn Diagram
Using a Venn Diagram, compare
and contrast the theme of
perseverance as it is portrayed in
Touching Spirit Bear to the theme
of perseverance as it is expressed
in a book or movie of your
choice(must include 5-6
differences and 2-3 similarities).
Theme Podcast
Using a smartphone or any other
device, record a podcast
expressing a) how the theme of
perseverance is expressed
through the novel; b) how the
setting, plot, and characters
contribute to the theme; c) how
the theme of perseverance
connects to your life and why
perseverance is important in life.
Powerpoint/Prezi
Create a PowerPoint or Prezi that
explores the theme of
perseverance in the novel. Use
each of your slides/Prezi circles to
examine how this theme is
expressed through the characters,
plot, and setting of the novel (also
use pictures that visually connect
to the theme).
Perseverance in TSB Poster
Using magazines or newspapers,
cut out pictures and words that
connect to the theme of
perseverance in the novel. You
can also use drawings and your
own words to add to the poster.
In one section of your poster,
write a short paragraph (6-8
sentences) describing how the
characters, plot, and setting of the
novel contribute to the theme of
perseverance.
Soundtrack of TSB
Using songs of your choice, create
a song playlist that you think
would best represent the theme
of perseverance in the novel (8-10
songs). Underneath each song
choice explain a) why you chose
that song and b) how the lyrics
connect/express the theme of
perseverance.
Theme greeting card
Draw/paint a greeting card that
expresses the theme of the story.
In your greeting card, explain, in
5-6 sentences, how perseverance
is shown in the novel, and how
Cole moves past the obstacles he
faces in the beginning of the book.
Write an inspirational quote
expressing why perseverance is
important in life.
Theme Comic Strip
Draw/create a comic strip (8-10
boxes) illustrating/expressing the
theme of the novel. Your comic
strip should show scenes from the
book where the theme of
perseverance is expressed
through the characters’ actions,
setting, or plot. Under each box
should be a caption explaining in
3-4 sentences how that scene
shows the theme of perseverance.
Theme Poem
Create/write a poem expressing
the theme of perseverance as it is
shown in the novel and as it
relates to your own life. Write
about why perseverance is
important in life.
Lambrinou 7th
Touching Spirit Bear Study
Setting Activity for Touching Spirit Bear
1. On a piece of paper or online draw/create a picture of the setting of the book as you
imagine it in your mind. Then, underneath your picture explain a) why you chose this
drawing/picture to represent the setting (2-3 sentences) and b) how the setting helps
create the mood of the novel (4-5 sentences).
-OR2. Make a map (draw or create online or create with other materials) of a key place in the
novel and explain a) what the place is like (2-3 sentences) and b) why it is important in
the characters’ lives (4-5 sentences).
-OR-
3. The time and place in which people find themselves and where events happen shape
those people and events in important ways. Touching Spirit Bear uses the technique of
flashbacks (going back in time to revisit an event of the past) throughout the story.
Create a timeline putting events of the story in order. Illustrate each event and explain
the mood the setting creates at that point in the story.
Lambrinou 7th
Touching Spirit Bear Study
Read the following article and answer the questions below
Alaska courts taking new approach to rural justice
Posted: March 18, 2012 - 12:08am
By AUSTIN BAIRD
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
JUNEAU — Alaska Magistrate Mike Jackson of Kake, Alaska first heard of “circle sentencing” in the mid1990s, when alcohol-related problems in his village were increasing.
Kake had higher rates of accidental deaths, child abuse and suicides than just about anywhere in the state.
The idea of forming circles, Jackson learned, was for a moderator to bring together family, friends and others
who know a victim or offender to help a judge hand down a fair sentence by considering local history,
community beliefs and other views of a defendant’s background. It was used after a guilty plea or a conviction.
He tried out the idea in 1999 with a woman convicted of crimes related to her alcohol addiction. She had
previously refused in-patient treatment. At the circle, state authorities told her it was her last chance before
losing her kids, and her friends and family persuaded her to get help.
“She came back and was sober,” said Dinah Aceveda, who helped organize that circle and 66 others since. “She
changed her life from that. When you have good people around you in that circle, in that community, that’s
what can happen.”
Circle sentencing is about to be used for the first time in a felony case in Alaska. Jackson said the system
recognizes Tlingit traditions and approaches to justice used since time immemorial in ways lost on state courts.
“What matters most under state court is punishment and control,” said Jackson, who also is a tribal court leader.
“Determining guilt and punishment for the offender is the focus, but under circles justice considers both the
views of the community and the victim.”
Judges follow state sentencing guidelines and make the final decision when circles are used, Jackson said. And
at least as many examples of not effective outcomes exist in state courts, he said.
“(Circles) let me take community recommendations and create a sentence that helps with the victim’s
rehabilitation,” he said. “But people don’t get off easy. Many times they end up with a harsher punishment
through circle justice, but the point is we realize that we need each other to survive out here, and we’re going to
have to live with each other after the punishment is over.”
Questions (answer these on a separate sheet of paper):
1. In your opinion, does the author believe that “circle justice” works better than traditional forms of
justice (i.e., putting someone in jail)? Justify your response with evidence from the text.
2. Based on the article and Touching Spirit Bear, do YOU think the idea of restorative justice (circle
justice) is better than traditional forms of justice? Justify with evidence from the book AND the
article.
Lambrinou 7th
Touching Spirit Bear Study