English 9

Prereading: The first thing to do before you actually begin reading any novel is to quickly preview it. Some novels include things such as maps, illustrations, biographical information on the author, a photograph of the author, and a list of other works written by the author.

The Cover of the Novel: 1. Look at the picture on the cover of the novel.

a. Describe the illustration and explain how it attracts attention. AWV Giant white bear in the forest with a boy holding a

knife facing it Attracts attention because you don’t know if the boy

and the bear are fighting or not (the bear does not really look real)

b. Do you think it enhances or detracts from the book’s appeal? Explain your answer.

AWV

c. Does the title make you curious? Why or why not? AWV

biographical:concerningsomeone’s life

The Author:Often, when you read a novel, you become curious about the author. Sometimes biographical information can help you to understand the novel better. You can find information about authors inseveral ways:

Sometimes a book jacket or cover contains information about the author. In some novels,

biographical information about the author is printed at the beginning or end of the book. You might also find a list of other books and works written by this

author.

2. Look at your Touching Spirit Bear novel and find the writeup about the author. List 3-5 things you now know about Ben Mikaelsen.

o Winner of the International Reading Association Awardo Winner of the Western Writers of America Spur Awardo His novels have won many state reader’s choice awardso Has written several novels: Red Midnight, Rescue Josh McGuire,

Sparrow Hawk Red, Stranded, Countdown, Petey.o Writes articles & photoso Lives in a log cabino Lives near Bozeman, Montanao Adopted a black bear (now 700 lbs)o www.benmikaelsen.com

Did you know… the WCCHS library has almost all of Ben Mikaelsen’s books available for students to sign out??

We will be reading this novel in 4 sections: Section 1: Ch 1-6 Section 2: Ch 7-13 Section 3: Ch 14-24 Section 4: Ch 25-28

Section 1: Chapters 1-6Pre-reading Vocabulary:

Instructions: Use the context clues in the following sentences to determine the meaning of the underlined words.

The Probation officer was concerned that Billy would steal a skiff from the harbor.

1. Probation Officer Person monitoring convicted criminals who are out of custody Guard or nightwatchman Police officer in plain clothes

2. Skiff A lamp A flat-bottomed boat A small car

The kidnapper’s detainees were cowering in the corner of the locked room, afraid of him.

3. Detainees Accomplices Victims Prisoners

4. Cowering Crouching from something frightening Humming Following along

The prosecutor for the court case believed that there should be an immediate sentencing for the crime.

5. Prosecutor The representative of the government who pursues formal

charges against the accused The lawyer who defends an accused criminal in court The judge who makes a decision on whether a person is innocent

or guilty6. Sentencing

A hearing to determine if an individual is innocent or guilty A hearing to determine consequences for a crime A hearing to determine if an individual should be released from

prison.

The tight handcuffs chafed against the wrists of the criminal when he was brought into court to plead to the charges against him.

7. Chafed To cut To tickle To rub and irritate

8. Plead To deny any wrongdoing To claim guilt or innocence in a court To hire a lawyer

The juvenile delinquent had trouble breathing in the stifling heat of his prison cell.

9. Juvenile delinquent* A young person in trouble with the law A young person who is frequently late A young person who is short for their age

*In Canada, the term “Juvenile Delinquent” is not used in the legal system. Instead the term used is “young offender”.

10. Stifling Humid Suffocating Dry

Time was so tired he was not conscious of the deadfall as he walked through the forest.

11. Conscious Careful of Having an interest in Aware of

12. Deadfall Cool weather Tangled, fallen trees and branches Pine-like odour

The billowy clouds of smoke from the campfire shrouded the view of the mountains.

13. Billowy Rolling wave or mass Light-colored or clear Slow-moving

14. Shrouded Enhanced Revealed Concealed

The over-confident teen stood unflinching when the charges against him were read during his arraignment hearing.

15. Unflinching Confused and afraid Timid and shaking Steady and unafraid

16. Arraignment hearing* The final stage of a trial where a punishment is determined The first stage of a trial where the accused makes a plea A hearing where the crown (government) decides whether or not

to charge the person with a crime*The Canadian court system does not use the term “arraignment hearing.” Instead the term used is “first appearance.”

Because it was a sunny afternoon, the lawyer moseyed to the courthouse to bring depositions from his client.

17. Moseyed Moving in a slow or leisurely way Moving in a hurried or rushed way Moving with a limp

18. Depositions* Testimony taken down in writing Handcuffs DNA samples

*the term “depositions” is not used in the Canadian legal system. Instead the term “affidavit” is used.

Concerned about his friends’ fleeting loyalties, the gang member brandished his gun in front of them to try to gain their respect.

19. Fleeting Firm or secure Drifting or fading away Quick-running

20. Brandished Wave or exhibit in an intimidating manner Polish Hide away

Chapter 1 comprehension questions: pp 1-131. In the first few pages we are introduced to the characters.

Quote sentences from the novel (with page numbers) that describe each. The first one is done for you.

Adapted – Quotes given but character needs to be founda. Garvey – page 3 “…the gravelly-voiced, wisecracking

Indian parole officer from Minneapolis….[he] was a Tlingit Indian…He was built like a bulldog with lazy eyes.”** note: when only taking part of a sentence, you must keep the original meaning! Put ellipsis (the 3 dots) to show you left words out. When you substitute a word in so your adapted quote makes sense, use square brackets to indicate that this word was not part of the original!

b. Edwin – page 4 “…a quiet, potbellied Tlingit elder…[he wore] a faded blue t-shirt and baggy jeans…[he had] Deep-set eyes…”

c. Cole - page 5 “He was an innocent-looking baby-faced fifteen-year-old from Minneapolis who had been in trouble with the law for half his life.”

d. Peter Driscal – page 7 “…was a ninth grader Cole had picked on many times before just for the fun of it….[he was a] skinny red-haired boy…”

e. Cole’s Mom – page 9 - “…acted like a scared Barbie-doll, always looking good but never fighting back or standing up to anyone.”

f. Cole’s Dad – page 9-“…a bullheaded drinker with a temper. He figured everything was Cole’s fault.”

2. In the space below, create a character web, showing the connections between each of the characters with Cole, and with each other. Do together

3. Where is Cole being sent, and why is he being sent there? (p 3 & 6)Cole is being sent to an island in southeast Alaska as a punishment for violently beating up Peter Driscal, the boy who reported to police that Cole robbed and ransacked a hardware store. (6) He has accepted banishment as an alternative to being put in prison (3).

Cole

Garvey

EdwinPeter Driscal

Cole’s Mom

Cole’s Dad

married

Both Tlingit elders

In charge of Cole

In charge of Cole

Cole beat him up

Has stopped bailing Cole out

Has stopped bailing Cole out

4. How does Cole feel about banishment as a punishment?(p 5) (not adapted)Cole sees it as a way of avoiding being put in prison, although others think he is doing it because he feels sorry for what he has done

5. How does Cole view adults and authority? Cite examples from the book. (p 5-6) (not adapted)Cole shows disrespect for adults, such as when he purposely spits so it will hit Edwin, believes that the adults that are supposed to help him always pass him on to others, and believes he could always get another last chance

6. Garvey, the youth probation officer, introduces Cole to the concept of Circle Justice. (p 10-12) Briefly describe what Circle Justice is.Circle Justice is a healing contract to help correct the wrong done by a criminal. In the example given, if a person kills somebody’s cat, that person may need to help the victim pick out a new kitten and help raise it to help make things right. The objective is to heal, not punish

7. Why does Garvey state “Something terrible has happened to you to make you want to kill a poor small animal”? (p11) Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why or why not.AWV (not adapted)

8. Take an objective look at the world/situation that has been introduced to us in this novel. Use a Venn diagram to compare Cole’s world to your own.

Cole’s world similarities my world

- Lives in the city- Father drinks- Gets into trouble

a lot- Seen as a bully

- Lives in a small town/ farm

-

- Goes to school/ grade 9

- Lives with both parents **

- Modern (current) time period

-

Mood or atmosphere is the overall emotion that a text makes you feel. In novels, the atmosphere can change from one chapter or part to the next. For example, the mood could be happy in one chapter, but in the next it could become gloomy or ominous. Still, most novels have a dominant mood, even if there’s some variation from chapter to chapter. Some examples of moods include: Happy, Sad, Tense, Mysterious, Gloomy, Thrilling, Adventurous, Funny, Scary, Lonely, Hopeful…

9. Name the dominant mood or atmosphere that the author has created in the first part of your novel. What makes you feel this way? (not adapted)

Answers will vary

Chapter 2 Comprehension Questions: pp14-251. Garvey tells Cole that “You figure if I’m scared of you, you

can trust me.” (p15) Why do you think Cole feels he can trust someone that is scared of him? Do you agree or disagree with this statement?ANSWERS WILL VARY but could focus on how Garvey is saying that the only way Cole believes trust is built is through fear and intimidation, not mutual respect.

2. What are some of the advice and warnings Edwin gives Cole for surviving the island?(p 17-18)

If you eat, you’ll live. Cut plenty of wood or you’ll freeze. Keep things dry because wet kills. Don’t touch Devil’s Club or the thistles will infect your

hands. Animals will kill you if need be. Animals can teach you more than any teacher. Don’t eat anything unless you know what it is

3. Spirit Bear is introduced in Chapter Two. Describe this bear.Spirit Bear lives off the coast of British Columbia. It is a special breed of black bear that is pure white, and has pride, dignity, and honour.

4. Is there any significance in the fact that Spirit Bear is a pure white black bear? (not adapted) ANSWERS WILL VARY but could revolve around the contrast between black being perceived as evil and darkness while white is associated with peace and pureness.

5. What does Cole say he would do to Spirit Bear? What does Edwin tell him? (p 18)Cole says he would kill it, and Edwin warns him that whatever he does to the animals, he does to himself

6. What does Garvey leave with Cole? What must he do with it? (p19)At.oow – a blanket handed down through the generations in his family. Cole must take care of it, and hand it down to someone he trusts in the future

7. Do you think Garvey agreed to be Cole’s sponsor for the Circle because Cole genuinely had changed? Why or why not?(not adapted) Answers will vary

8. What does Cole do to his shelter at the end of the chapter? (p25) Why do you think he did this?He burns it downANSWERS WILL VARY.

Chapter 3 Comprehension Questions: pp26-331. On page 28, Cole reveals something about his relationship

with his Dad. What do we find out Dad does/ has done? Cole leapt to his feet and glared at Garvey. “You don’t know how I’m feeling!” he shouted. “You don’t know what it’s like being hit over and over until you’re so numb you don’t feel anything!”

Cole’s dad beats him2. How does Garvey convince Cole to eat the groceries?(p 28-

29) He says he’s surprised that Cole is afraid of a little bad taste, knowing Cole will want to prove that not to be the case (not adapted)

3. What was Garvey trying to make Cole understand when he gave him the cake ingredients?(p29-30)Answers will vary but should be something to the effect that just because you don’t like the individual parts that went into

the finished product, doesn’t make it bad (you don’t have to be a bad kid just because you had a bad upbringing) (not adapted)

4. Think back to Garvey’s statement in the first chapter that “Something terrible has happened to you to make you want to kill a poor, small animal.” Then look at the list of the “ingredients” of Cole’s life on page 31. How do these connect? ANSWERS WILL VARY but should revolve around the past events in Cole’s life and how he allowed these events to lead himself to the robbery and beating up of Peter. (not adapted)

5. Describe Cole’s plan to escape the island.(p32) Do you think he will be successful? Since Cole had taken swimming lessons, he plans on swimming from island to island until a boat picks him up

6. Who is allowed to be at Cole’s Circle? (p33)Anybody who wants to help find a solution can be at the Circle. This could include lawyers, the judge, parents, classmates, and community members

7. Why is it important for Peter to forgive Cole? (p33) Until Peter forgives Cole, Peter won’t heal

ADAPTED Page 37 “ As the Keeper bowed her head, Cole peeked and caught Peter peeking back. He narrowed his eyes __Threateningly___, and Peter looked away.Why do you think Cole look at Peter like that?

ADAPTED What is the point of the Circle (p38) (choose one answer)

So that people can talk about what happened So that the offender and victim can heal So that people get punished

Chapter 4 Comprehension Questions: pp34-401. Why is it significant that Cole gives a threatening look to

Peter at the beginning of the Circle? (p37)It shows that Cole is not truly sorry for his actions.

2.

According to the Keeper, what is the point of the Circle, and why does regular justice often fail? (p38)She states that the purpose of the justice system is to meet the needs of the offender and the victim, allowing them to heal. The regular justice system often seeks to punish instead

3.Do

you think that everybody who is present at the Circle has a sincere reason for being there? Do you think that there are people who don’t want to be there?Answers will vary(not adapted)

Chapter 5 Comprehension Questions: pp41-461. For the first time, Cole admits that he made a mistake. (p41)

What was this mistake?His anger had clouded his thinking and he failed to consider the incoming tide when trying to swim to the next island

ADAPTED On page 41 Cole admits that he made a mistake. (p41) What was this mistake?

a. He forgot about the tide coming inb. He should have learned how to swim betterc. He should not have beat up Peter

ADAPTED As he wavered on his weakened legs,

Cole became aware of a presence. Not movement, only a lurking presence. Grimacing, he searched the trees and the shore. At first nothing appeared different or out of place. Then something large and white broke the smooth pattern of the shoreline. He squinted, and the image cleared.

A bear. A white bear. … What really angered Cole about the bear

was that it stood there frozen on the shoreline without any sign of fear. It defied him. He looked around for some kind of weapon. In the ashes he spotted the charred blade of a hunting knife from one of the boxes. He picked it up and turned back towards the Spirit Bear.

It had disappeared.

2. Describe Cole’s first encounter with what appears to be Spirit Bear.(p44) Cole sees Spirit Bear on the shoreline near the opening of the bay. He threatens it and throws a rock at it, thinking that the animal had none of the pride, dignity, or honour Edwin claimed it had. Cole believes it had no right to stare at him, so turns to get a knife to kill the bear. When he turns around, the bear is gone, and Cole’s search through the trees proves fruitless

1. ADAPTED Fill in the following blanks from page 47 & 48, and then answer the question. “That’s not true,” protested his father. He grabbed Cole’s arm roughly but then let go. He glared at Cole and pointed the feather in his face. “You control your mouth, son, or I’ll—““Or you’ll what?” Cole taunted. “Beat me?”Cole’s father jumped to his feet. “I don’t beat you and you know that.” His face flushed red. “I’ve given you swats when you deserved them.”

3. Look at the four comments made about Cole at the Circle on page 46. “That boy is dangerous”

“Next time he might kill someone”

He’s proved he can’t be trusted”

“Cole is a risk to our children and our community”

Which comments do you agree with? Which ones do you disagree with? Justify your answers.

Answers will vary:

Chapter 6 Comprehension Questions: pp47-57

1. What does Cole accuse his father of in the Circle? How does his father respond? (p 47-48)Cole accuses his father of beating him, but his father claims he only gave him “swats” when he deserved them

2. Why do you think Cole’s mother did not tell the Circle how his father would beat up on him? (p49) (Not ADAPTED)

When leaving the Circle, in reference to his father Cole asks Garvey “Did you hear him lie tonight?” Garvey responds “He wasn’t the only one.” Fill in the blanks of this quote (from the bottom of page 39) then explain who else lied. “Uh, I’m Cole Matthews, and I’m here because I really screwed up,” he said. “I know what I did was wrong, and I want Peter to know I’m sorry for everything.” Cole sniffled purposely, rubbing his nose for effect…”Who lies and what about?? _______________________________

The novel states she looked frightened, but ANSWERS WILL VARY.

3. When the Keeper asks Peter what needs to be done to make things better, he responds by saying “I think someone should smash Cole’s head against a sidewalk so he knows how it feels.”(p50) Do you think Cole already knows how this might feel? Why or why not? (Not ADAPTED)Answers will vary

4. When leaving the Circle, in reference to his father Cole asks Garvey “Did you hear him lie tonight?” Garvey responds “He wasn’t the only one.” (p52 but refer to p39 too)To whom is Garvey referring? Explain.Cole, as evidence of Cole’s lying is found on page 39 when he makes his initial statement.

5. Cole reformulates his plans for leaving the island. How will he try his next escape?(p 54) (Not ADAPTED)Cole observes the pattern of the tide, and finds that the high tide comes in at noon, and recedes an hour later. He decides to use the receding tide to help him swim to the next island the following day at noon

6. Garvey discusses some of the reasons that isolation works to help heal a criminal. What are these reasons? (p56) (Not ADAPTED)

Garvey shook his head. “Banishment isn’t a sentence. It’s simply a time for Cole to walk his talk. We tell him to give more than lip service to the idea of change, but what chance does he have to prove anything if he is locked up? Sentencing will be delayed until the end of Cole’s banishment. Then this same Circle could reevaluate him and decide whether he has walked his talk, and whether a sentence is still necessary.”

The isolation keeps a person away from all negative influences, including people, alcohol, and drugs, so they can think

7. Outline what will happen to Cole after the banishment is over. (p56)

Cole will be reevaluated by the Circle to see if he really has changed for the better. If he hasn’t, he will be placed in custody (56).

8. Look back at the tone of the book you identified at the end of chapter 1. (Not ADAPTED)

a. What did you say the tone was?b. Has your opinion of the tone changed? If no, give

evidence to support your choice. If yes, name your new idea of tone, and explain your choice.

Section 1 questions:As you know from past English courses, writers may use different points of view to tell a story.

When the first-person point of view is used, a character tells the story using words like I or we. This character is called the narrator.

When the third-person point of view is used, the writer tells the story about the characters, using words like he, she, or they.

o Sometimes writers using this viewpoint focus on one character’s thoughts (third person limited), feelings, and actions, while at other times they reveal the thoughts and feelings of two or more characters (third person omniscient).

1. What point of view is the author using in Touching Spirit Bear? Quote a sentence from chapters 1-6 (with page number) to support your answer. (Not ADAPTED)This novel is written in third person limited.“Cole couldn’t believe his parents were letting this happen to him…” (9)

2. Does the use of this point of view give you some information that other characters are unaware of? Give an example. (Not ADAPTED)Answers will vary.We find out that Cole isn’t really sorry for what he did to Peter

- “Cole figured he wouldn’t even be here if Peter Driscal had known how to fight back…Serves him right…”(8)

3. Does the use of this point of view exclude you from some information that other characters may know? Give an example. (Not ADAPTED)

Answers will vary

4. Who is the main character, or protagonist, of your novel? Remember, some novels have more than one main character.Cole Matthews (some may add Peter – he becomes more and

more important as the novel continues, and, like Cole, Peter changes)

5. Describe the main character. Think about age, gender, physical appearance, and personality.

Cole - bitter towards his parents & people in authority- not trusting- fiercely independent- 15 years old- Baby-faced / innocent looking

6. Copy two or three lines from the novel (with page numbers) that illustrate the personality of the protagonist. (Not ADAPTED)Answers will vary

Most novels have more than one conflict, though often there’s one overriding conflict that becomes apparent as the novel moves along. Your main character or characters might have conflicts with other people (man vs man), with their environment (man vs nature), within themselves (man vs self) or even with the rules of the society they live in (man vs society).

7. Describe the conflict that your main character is experiencing at this stage of the novel.

Some may say man vs man (Cole vs Peter) but the overriding conflict seems to be man vs self as Cole deals with the consequences of his actions.

You probably recall that the initial incident of a plot is the first main event that introduces the conflict. (ADAPTED – draw the conflict, draw the initial incident)

8. Describe the initial incident in your novel. How does the initial incident create suspense or arouse curiosity?Cole is on his way to an island. This isolation is the consequences (he sees it as punishment) given to him for beating up Peter