BDA: Journey to Jo’Burg

These are some Before, During, and After activities for Journey to Jo’Burg: A South African Story by Beverley Naidoo:

Before You Begin Reading…
Complete one of the following activities.

1. Make a list of everything you know or have heard about South Africa.


2. Write a definition of “discrimination.” What does it mean? Give an example.


3. Have you ever witnessed inequality? Describe what happened. Write a minimum of half a page.


4. How do you feel about prejudice and discrimination? Write at least half a page.


5. Write a poem about discrimination.


6. Draw a picture or a make a poster depicting how you feel about prejudice and discrimination.

While You Are Reading…
Complete one of the following activities.

1. During the story, Naledi learns a lot about the South Africa that exists beyond her village. As you read, describe what happens to Naledi and what she learns from each experience. You may use a table answering the questions below or answer the questions in a paragraph.
   
   • Chapter #
   
   
   • What happens?
   
   
   • What does Naledi learn?


2. At the end of each chapter, write a letter to one of the characters discussing what happened in the chapter and how you feel about it.


3. As you read, create a map of the journey. Label your map with illustrations that represent each event in the book.

When You Have Finished Reading…
Complete one of the following activities.

1. Research the history of South Africa. Write a report describing how apartheid began in South Africa and how it ended.


2. Make a tape or CD of songs that Naledi and Tiro might have enjoyed on her journey. Include a page listing the song titles and why you chose them for Naledi and Tiro.


3. Research the history of apartheid in South Africa and create a poster and pamphlets that describe this history.


4. Create and present a performance illustrating the journey to Jo’burg. Write half a page explaining how your performance shows the story events.


5. Is there another country that supports inequalities similar to apartheid in South Africa? Research the discrimination problem in that country. Create a report or a poster or a speech. Describe the problem clearly and provide possible solutions.


6. Talk to at least one other person about the events in Journey to Jo’burg. Record the discussion or write a paper describing the conversation(s) you had. How were your views the same or different?

BDA: Hoot

Here are some Before, During, and After activities for Hoot by Carl Hiaasen:

Before You Begin Reading…
Complete one of the following activities.

1. What do you know about endangered species? What are they? What are some reasons they become endangered? What are some things being done to protect endangered species? Write at least half a page.


2. Is there a cause that you think is worth fighting for? How far would you go for your cause? Some people commit crimes for something they believe in. How far is too far? Complete at least half a page.


3. Make a poster showing what you know about endangered species. You do not have to do any research for this project.

While You Are Reading…
Complete one of the following activities.

1. Some of the book characters change their opinion about the new Mother Paula’s All-American Pancake House. For each character who changes his or her mind, answer the following:
   
   • A. Character Name:
   
   
   • B. When character changed his or her mind about the pancake house:
   
   
   • C. Why the character changed his or her mind:


2. The author uses a lot of similes and metaphors in Hoot. Keep track of all of them in a table with the following information:
   
   • page #
   
   
   • This thing is compared to
   
   
   • this other thing.
   
   
   • Is it a metaphor or a simile?


3. Write a Trace Middle news story for each chapter, describing just the information that is common knowledge to the students.


4. Illustrate a scene for at least 12 of the book’s chapters. Write a caption for each drawing.

When You Have Finished Reading…
Complete one of the following activities.

1. Write a report about burrowing owls in the United States.


2. Make a poster and/or a brochure explaining an environmental concern.


3. Make a scrapbook of newspaper and magazine articles about an endangered species. Write one page describing what you learned from the articles.


4. Write a minimum of five poems about animals that are in danger of becoming extinct.


5. Describe one of the scenes that took place at the construction site from the owl’s point of view.


6. What do you think happened to Mullet Fingers? Write at least two pages.


7. Predict where at least 7 of the following characters might be 10 years from now. Write at least one paragraph for each character.
   
   • Roy
   
   
   • Dana Matherson
   
   
   • David Delinko
   
   
   • Curly
   
   
   • Garrett
   
   
   • Miss Hennepin
   
   
   • Beatrice Leep
   
   
   • Mullet Fingers
   
   
   • Chuck Muckle
   
   
   • Mother Paula (Kimberly Lou Dixon)
   
   
   • Kalo
   
   
   • Lonna Leep

BDA: Goodbye, Vietnam

Here are some Before, During, and After activities for Goodbye, Vietnam by Gloria Whelan:

Before You Begin Reading…
Complete one of the following activities.

1. What is a superstition? Give at least two examples of superstitions. Do you believe in superstitions? Why or why not? Write a minimum of half a page.


2. If you had to leave suddenly and could only four things with you, what would they be? Explain why you would choose each of the four things. Write a minimum of half a page.


3. What does "immigration" mean? What do you know about immigration laws? What else do you know about immigration? Write a minimum of half a page.


4. Do you feel like your parents or grandparents treat you and your brother or sister differently? Explain any differences in the way you are treated. Why do you think you are treated differently? Write at least half a page.

While You Are Reading…
Complete one of the following activities.

1. As you read, write down all the superstitions that are mentioned in a format like the one below. Answer all the following questions for each superstition.
   
   • Who mentions the superstition?
   
   
   • How does Mai feel about the superstition?
   
   
   • What do you think about the superstition?


2. As you read, fill in a chart like the one below, showing the differences between the way girls and boys are treated in the book. (see example below)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Type of Difference	Girls	Boys
   Clothing	Blouses	Shirts and Ties



3. As you read, make a list of characters and their physical and personality traits.


4. Draw two scenes for each section of the book. You should make a total of eight drawings. Write a minimum of two sentences to describe each picture you create.

When You Have Finished Reading…
Complete one of the following activities.

1. Research and make a poster on one of the following topics.
   
   • Growing rice
   
   
   • Vietnamese history
   
   
   • Sampans
   
   
   • Buddhism
   
   
   • Tet (the holiday)
   
   
   • The Vietnam War
   
   
   • Refugees in Hong Kong


2. What did you think about the way Mai’s family and other refugees were housed in Hong Kong? Write a letter to the Hong Kong government explaining the problems and suggesting solutions.


3. Research the holiday of Tet. Plan a Tet celebration for the class.


4. Try growing rice and write a short paper about the experience.

BDA: Flush

Here are some Before, During, and After activities for Flush by Carl Hiaasen:

Before You Begin Reading…
Complete one of the following activities.

1. What do you know about pollution? What types of things pollute? Who is hurt by pollution? What are some things being done to decrease pollution? Write at least half a page.


2. Is there a cause that you think is worth fighting for? How far would you go for your cause? Some people commit crimes for something they believe in. How far is too far? Complete at least half a page.


3. Make a poster showing what you know about pollution. You do not have to do any research for this project. Just use what you know from your experience.


4. Have you ever had to help a family member who was in trouble? Is there someone in your family that you would do anything for. Describe the person you have helped or someone you would help. Describe why you would help this person. Write at least half a page.

While You Are Reading…
Complete one of the following activities.

1. Keep a chart of all the characters from the book that includes the following information:
   
   • Name:
   
   
   • Description of the person:
   
   
   • How this person is involved with The Coral Queen:
   
   
   • What you think about this character:


2. Write a news story for each chapter, describing just the information that is common knowledge to the public.


3. Illustrate a scene for at least 12 of the book’s chapters. Write a caption for each drawing.


4. Make a list of at least 20 words you are unfamiliar with as you read the story. Complete the following for each word:
   
   • Word
   
   
   • Definition
   
   
   • Page #

When You Have Finished Reading…
Complete one of the following activities.

1. Write a report about one of the following:
   
   • Gambling laws
   
   
   • Pollution laws
   
   
   • Eco-terrorism


2. Make a poster and/or a brochure explaining an environmental concern.


3. Make a scrapbook of newspaper and magazine articles about pollution. Write one page describing what you learned from the articles.


4. Write a minimum of five poems about pollution.


5. Predict where at least 7 of the following characters might be 10 years from now. Write at least one paragraph for each character.
   
   • Dusty Muleman
   
   
   • Noah Underwood
   
   
   • Paine Underwood (Dad)
   
   
   • Donna Underwood (Mom)
   
   
   • Abbey Underwood
   
   
   • Mr. Shine
   
   
   • Jasper Jr.
   
   
   • Bull
   
   
   • Lice Peeking
   
   
   • Shelly
   
   
   • Grandpa Bobby
   
   
   • Luno

BDA: Down the Rabbit Hole

Here are some Before, During, and After activities for Down the Rabbit Hole by Peter Abrahams:

Before You Begin Reading…
Complete one of the following activities.

1. What do you know about the book Alice in Wonderland? Who are the characters? What happens to Alice? Write at least half a page.


2. What sports do you play? Describe a great moment you had competing in a sport. Describe a disappointing moment. Complete at least half a page.


3. Describe any problems you have had getting along with your brothers or sisters. Why do you think you have trouble? Write a minimum of half a page.


4. Have you ever kept a secret? How did it feel to keep the secret? Were you tempted to share the secret? What was the secret about? Is keeping a secret always the best thing to do? Why or why not? Write at least half a page.

While You Are Reading…
Complete one of the following activities.

1. Ingrid likes to notice “the trifles” about people. Keep track of specific details about each character as you read the book. What do you think each trifle might mean?
   
   • Character Name
   
   
   • Trifles (details) about the character
   
   
   • What the trifles might mean


2. Fill out a chart with the following information as you read the story:
   
   • Vocabulary Word
   
   
   • How does the word relate to the story?


3. As you read the story, keep a Clue Journal. Make a list of all the clues. Then, at the end of each chapter, write at least a paragraph about what you think the clues might mean. Explain your reasoning.


4. Pretend you write for the school newspaper. Write stories for at least 7 important events/issues in the book. You can write about sporting events, local mysteries, school issues, local events, etc.


5. If you were in Ingrid’s position, would you choose to do the same things that she chooses? At the end of each chapter, describe the problem Ingrid is faced with. What would you have done if you were in the same situation?

When You Have Finished Reading…
Complete one of the following activities.

1. Investigate one of the following topics and create a poster, give an oral report, or write a report.
   
   • Sports and Pressure to Perform
   
   
   • Why Art is Important to My Community
   
   
   • Sherlock Holmes
   
   
   • Commercial Development vs. Natural Environment: Pros and Cons to Development
   
   
   • Socioeconomic Issues in My Community


2. Write an alternate ending to the book. Write your own chapters 29 and 30.


3. Research the poems used in the book. Make a display that answers the following questions for each poem:
   
   • What is the name of the poem?
   
   
   • Who is the author?
   
   
   • When was the poem written?
   
   
   • What is the poem about?
   
   
   • Why do you think Peter Abrahams used this poem in the book?
   
   
   • Did you learn any other interesting facts about the poem?


4. Write a letter to one of the main characters discussing what you think about one of the following issues:
   
   • Commercial Development
   
   
   • Money Issues
   
   
   • Sports Pressures
   
   
   • Rules


5. Pretend you are the producer/director of the movie adaptation of this book. Choose actors to play each role. Choose locations for shooting the movie. Make at least 2 movie poster mock-ups. Write a short paper describing why you chose the actors and locations that you did.

BDA: Crusader

These are Before, During, and After activities for Crusader by Edward Bloor:

Before You Begin Reading…
Complete one of the following activities.

1. Think of a problem that you have had or you have in your life. Describe the problem. How did you feel about the problem? What did you do about the problem? How do you feel about what you did? Write at least half a page.


2. What is the best advice someone has given you? What was helpful about this advice? Did you listen? Write a minimum of half a page.


3. Describe a person in your life who is a role model to you. What are his or her best qualities? How does this person make you a better person? Write at least half a page.


4. What do you think about arcade games? How are they good and/or bad? Complete at least half a page.


5. What is prejudice? Give examples of prejudice. Write at least half a page.

While You Are Reading…
Complete one of the following activities.

1. Keep a chart of all the characters from the book that includes the following information:
   
   • Name
   
   
   • Job
   
   
   • Place where he or she works
   
   
   • First description of the person
   
   
   • New information about the person


2. Roberta tries to solve two mysteries in the book. Keep track of the clues in a chart including the following columns:
   
   • page #
   
   
   • Clue
   
   
   • What I think it means…


3. Roberta tells a lot of lies in the book. Keep track of the lies in a chartincluding the following columns:
   
   • page #
   
   
   • Lie
   
   
   • Why she told this lie…


4. There are several direct and indirect references to discrimination, stereotypes, and prejudice in the book. Keep track of these references in a chart including the following information:
   
   • page #
   
   
   • Who made the reference?
   
   
   • What did he or she say?
   
   
   • Why?

When You Have Finished Reading…
Complete one of the following activities.

1. Research one of the following topics. Then write a report or a make a poster with the information you learn:
   
   • Muckrakers
   
   
   • Talk shows and society
   
   
   • Videogames and violence: are they linked?
   
   
   • Suicide
   
   
   • The mall in American towns
   
   
   • Hate crimes, atrocities, prejudice (Holocaust, Serbia, KKK, skinheads, etc.)


2. “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” Roberta learns new information about some of the characters and has to completely change the way she looks at them. Write a paper showing the different facets of at least three of the characters.


3. Roberta quotes a lot of Dr. Seuss. Write a summary of Crusader in the style of Dr. Seuss.


4. Several of the characters contemplate suicide. Write a letter giving reasons for not giving up.


5. Roberta is told to be a “survivor” by Mrs. Weiss What qualities does a survivor have? Give examples of survivors from your own life and/or from history.


6. Write a minimum of 5 poems on the topic of surviving and survivors.


7. Design a proposal for a videogame that promotes good values and character traits. Your proposal should include a description of the game, screen shots, how it will be promoted, etc.


8. Sam and Roberta agree that history has more than one side and more than one description. Read about two sides of any controversial historical event. Prepare an oral presentation or a poster showing both sides.


9. Interview “a survivor.” Either write up a report of your interview or edit a videotape of your interview.

BDA: The Clay Marble

These are Before, During, and After activities for The Clay Marble by Minfong Ho:

Before You Begin Reading…
Complete one of the following activities.

1. Make a list of everything you already know about Cambodia.


2. Write a definition for the word family. Give examples of different kinds of families. Write at least half a page.


3. Is you family non-traditional? Maybe a grandparent lives with you or you live with just one parent. What is it like being part of a non-traditional family? Write a minimum of half a page.


4. Have you ever had to leave your home because of an emergency? Describe what happened. How did you feel? Write at least half a page.


5. Write a poem about your family.

While You Are Reading…
Complete one of the following activities.

1. During the story, Dara asks the clay marble to grant her wishes. Answer the following questions each time she makes a wish:
   
   • Describe the situation.
   
   
   • What does Dara wish?
   
   
   • What happens?


2. Create pictures or 3-D representations of Dara’s family and their temporary homes in different stages of change.


3. Dara learns about survival during her adventures. As you read, write a manual of survival skills including necessary supplies.

When You Have Finished Reading…
Complete one of the following activities.

1. Make at least three toy artifacts such as the ones described in the book.


2. Create a poster describing current events and issues in Cambodia.


3. Research and write a report about an issue in Cambodia.


4. Write a two poems or songs about the clay marble or another topic from the story.


5. Make a scrapbook of Dara’s family members and their adventure. Write captions for pictures.