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: 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.