Before we read the novel,, let s spend some time thinking about some of the themes and ideas we will find in our reading. For each statement below check or dis to indicate your opinion about the sentence. When we have finished reading the novel we will come back to our statements and re-evaluate our answers. Before Reading Statement After Reading dis The United States is the land of opportunity. dis dis Your family is the people that are related to you, like your mother, father and siblings. dis People who grow up learning prejudice will always keep those values. dis Emergencies can show who a person really is and reveal their character. dis You should always follow your heart and pursue your dreams. dis dis dis dis
While reading the novel we are going to take some time to identify the key elements of the story and to answer some questions to make sure we understand the story. First, let s start by identifying the story s literary elements: Characters Who is in the story? What are they like? Setting(s) Where does the story take place? Theme What is the story really about? Conflict What does the main character face in the story? Is there a struggle? Resolution/ Conclusion How does the main character overcome their struggle?
Discussion Questions Answer the discussion questions below as we read each chapter. We will spend some time in our reading circles discussing our answers following each chapter, so be sure to be prepared to contribute to your group and earn your participation grade. Be sure to look at the rubric below to see how you will be graded. Chapters one- four 1. How did you feel about Moonshadow s attitude toward Americans? 2. Why isn t all of Moonshadow s family living in the United States? 3. What is a softskin? Why might the Dragon King view softskins as inferior, or less than, others? 4. What trouble does Black Dog get into? What problems are going on in his life that might have caused his trouble? 5. Why does Moonshadow call white people demons? Do you think his opinion might change after living in the United States for a while? Chapters five- eight 1. How do you think Moonshadow s friendship with the Whitlaws might affect him?
2. Why must Moonshadow and his father leave the Company? 3. What does Moonshadow think of Mrs. Whitlaws stained glass window? 4. How does Mrs. Whitlaw help Windrider come closer to reaching his dream? Chapters nine-twelve 1. Tell me about your reaction when Dragonwings rolled down the hillside. 2. What important event changes all of the characters lives? 3. How does the Company keep itself from having to move out of the city? 4. What conflict does Black Dog cause in these chapters? 5. Have you ever experienced an emergency like Moonshadow s? How do you think you would react in such a situation?
Here s how you will be graded during discussion time: Anticipatory Guide Collaborative Work Skills : Reading Discussion Groups Teacher Name: Ms. de Araujo Jorge Student Name: CATEGORY Exemplary Accomplished Developing Beginning Preparedness Brings needed materials to class and is always ready to work. Has read the selection answered the discussion questions in writing before group time. Contributions Focus on the task Working with Others Routinely provides useful ideas when participating in the group discussion. A definite leader who contributes a lot of effort. Consistently stays focused on the task and what needs to be done. Very self-directed. Almost always listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others. Tries to keep people working well together. Almost always brings needed materials to class and is ready to work. Has read the selection and answered the discussion questions before group time. Usually provides useful ideas when participating in the group discussion. A strong group member who tries hard! Focuses on the task and what needs to be done most of the time. Other group members can count on this person. Usually listens to, shares, with, and supports the efforts of others. Does not cause "waves" in the group. Almost always brings needed materials but sometimes needs to settle down and get to work. Has read the selection before group time. Sometimes provides useful ideas when participating in the group discussion. A satisfactory group member who does what is required. Focuses on the task and what needs to be done some of the time. Other group members must sometimes nag, prod, and remind to keep this person on-task. Often listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others, but sometimes is not a good team member. Often forgets needed materials or is rarely ready to get to work. Has not read the selection before group time. Rarely provides useful ideas when participating in the group discussion. May refuse to participate. Rarely focuses on the task and what needs to be done. Lets others do the work. Rarely listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others. Often is not a good team player. Date Created: Jul 02, 2010 10:19 pm (UTC)
After reading Dragonwings, we see that Moonshadow s journey from the Middle Kingdom in China to the Golden Mountains of San Francisco was one in which he gradually, bit by bit, grew up. What events in Moonshadow s life lead to this maturation? Fill in the map below with the most important events and then use the events to write a paragraph about Moonshadow s journey to maturity. Event 1 Moonshadow's father sends for him and he is moved to the United States. Event 2 Event 3 Event 4 Event 5 Event 6 Event 7 Moonshadow's father returns for his mother to bring her to the United States and bring their family together.
Write your paragraph below and use the following transition phrases to improve your writing: also in the same way however in contrast first next finally for example of course in fact therefore thus in addition in conclusion