In the Year of the Boar and Jackie
Robinson
From Bentley School
http://www.bentleyschool.net/intranet/lower
/4a/IntheYearoftheBoarandJackie.htm
Scrapbook
You will be making a scrapbook for each chapter (month of the
year) in the book. You will use two pages (facing each other) for
each month. For each activity you choose, prepare your response
in a colorful, decorative way, with a combination of drawings and
words in a pleasing and clear presentation. You may use separate
paper and then glue it into your scrapbook. Be sure your entries
will fit onto the space. Perhaps you'll find some objects or other
things to glue in that go with the section of the story.
January
( choose a minimun of two)
• Using pictures and words, show three to five Chinese New
Year traditions mentioned in the chapter.
• Write a short diary page from Bandit's point of view. Show
events that led up to her finding out she was leaving China
to go to America . Show how she feels, what she might be
thinking.
• With words and pictures (optional) show four or five
reasons why Bandit's family is afraid of American life.
• Write seven new and interesting words from the chapter
with their dictionary definitions.
Scrapbook
Add another two pages to your scrapbook. For each activity you
choose, prepare your response in a colorful, decorative way, with
a combination of drawings, words and phrases in a pleasing and
clearly written presentation. Perhaps you'll find some objects or
other things to glue in that go with the section of the story.
Remember it all has to fit onto the two scrapbook pages.
February
"A Journey of Ten Thousand Miles"
( choose a minimun of two)
• Draw and label as many things as you can in Shirley's new world
that are startling and bewildering to her. Title it, "Shirley's New
World".
• This chapter reveals something about the character qualities of
Mother, Father and Shirley. Write a minimum of three words and
phrases from the chapter (with quotation marks) to describe
each one. Cite the page numbers. You may include drawings. Title
it: "Three Characters".
• Write definitions for the following words and use each one in a
sentence of your own: falter, dapper, cringe, queasiness,
torrential, fret, jostle, mettle, rickshaw, emphatic. You can
include drawings. Title it: "New Words".
Scrapbook
Add another two pages to your scrapbook. For each activity you
choose, prepare your response in a colorful, decorative way, with
a combination of drawings, words and phrases in a pleasing and
clearly written presentation. Perhaps you'll find some objects or
other things to glue in that go with the section of the story.
Remember it all has to fit onto the two scrapbook pages.
March
"China's Little Ambassador"
( choose a minimum of two)
• On lined paper, write a composition by Shirley Temple Wong,
entitled, “My First Day at School in America ”. Include at least
five events. Illustrate or decorate as you please.
• Pick five events or descriptions in the chapter that you thought
were funny. Entitle this “March Humor”. Write about what you
thought was funny and why. Accompany humorous items with
drawings. You may use quotes from the chapter (please cite page
numbers) to add to your own words.
• Write dictionary definitions for the following words and use
each one in a sentence of your own: Buddha, reputation, gesture,
cardinal, trifle, escapade, ambassador, quizzical, ebony, dwarf
(use as a verb, not a noun).
Scrapbook
April: A Hungry Ghost
( choose a minimun of two)
• Write a letter from Shirley to Fourth Cousin telling about all
the problems she is experiencing (in this chapter). Include a
minimum of five events. You may include drawings. Entitle this,
“Shirley's Problems”.
• Create an abstract “feeling” artwork or map, with a different
color to represent each emotion Shirley experiences during this
chapter. For each color you use, explain when and why she felt
this way. You may include a color-coded key to the map. Entitle
this “Shirley's Feelings”.
• Write a cinquain poem. Start with one of the emotions Shirley
is experiencing. Give it a title of your own.
1st line: noun
2nd line: 2 adjectives describing the noun
3rd line: 3 verbs ending in “ ing ”'
4th line: a 4 word phrase
5th line: a synonym for the first noun.
• Write dictionary definitions for the following words and use
each one in a sentence of your own: hoary, illustrious, tidbit,
protrude, elaborate (as a verb), sliver, clan, odious, scholar,
sinister, billowing, grimace, eke, deceive.
Scrapbook
Add another two pages to your scrapbook. You should use a
combination of words, phrases, sentences and longer writing,
drawings. Be sure it will fit onto the pages.
May: “TWO BLACK EYES AND WISPY WHISKERS”
( choose a minimum of two)
• Take a position! Choose one of the following and support your
opinion with at least three strong arguments:
• I think Shirley was right not to tattle on Mabel.
• I think Shirley should have tattled on Mabel.
• Be a sports reporter! Write a play-by-play report of Shirley's
first stick ball game. You may include drawings.
• Make up your own “Wispy Whiskers” story about how “good can
be bad” and “bad can be good”. You may include drawings.
• Write dictionary definitions for the following words and use
each one in a sentence of your own: reverent, kow -tow,
matriarch, regale, spew, formidable, intimidate, sternly, battered,
devour, interrogate, intact, to quake (verb), ritual, inconstant.
Scrapbook
Add another two pages to your scrapbook. You should use a
combination of words, phrases, sentences and longer writing,
drawings. Be sure it will fit onto the pages.
June: “I Pledge a Lesson to the frog”
( choose a minimum of two)
• On the top half of a standard piece of paper, copy Shirley's
version of the Pledge of Allegiance and illustrate it. On the
bottom half, write the actual pledge and illustrate it. Entitle it, “I
Pledge a Lesson to the Frog”.
• Draw a picture of Mrs. Rappaport and surround her with quotes
from her speech on pages 92-93. Then, in a minimum of 3
sentences, tell what you think her speech means. Entitle this,
“Mrs. Rappaport's Speech”.
• Write your own passionate and fiery speech about something
you care deeply about. Give it an appropriate title.
• Draw and label Shirley's classroom. Include Mrs. Rappaport ,
Shirley, Mabel, Tommy, Susie, Maria and Irvie . Write a sentence
or two to describe each one. Entitle it, “Shirley's Classroom”.
Scrapbook
Add another two pages to your scrapbook. You should use a
combination of words, phrases, sentences and longer writing,
drawings. Be sure it will fit onto the pages.
July: “Toscanini takes a walk”
( choose a minimum of two)
• Write a composition entitled “My Last Day at School” from
Shirley's point of view. Include her fears, what she's proud of,
her thoughts on her year at school and her plans for the summer
ahead.
• Write a poem about baseball. Choose an appropriate title.
• Write a letter from Shirley to her parents persuading them
why it would be a good idea to take care of the building for
Senora Rodriquez while she is visiting her daughter. Entitle it: “A
Good Idea”.
• Write definitions for the following words and use each one in
a sentence: dally, desolate, hoist (verb), mayhem, emanate,
locust, plague, sultry, disposition, tyranny. Entitle it: “July
Words”.
Scrapbook
Add another two pages to your scrapbook. You should use a
combination of words, phrases, sentences and longer writing,
drawings. Be sure it will fit onto the pages.
Don't forget to include the chapter's title and month in large
letters.
August: “Monsters”
( choose a minimum of two)
• Draw and label the “gifts' father gave to each tenant. Entitle
it, “Father's Gifts”.
• At first, Shirley imagines she sees monsters in the basement.
Draw a monster you have imagined in your own home. Write a
brief paragraph about it. Entitle this, “My Monster”.
• Shirley imagines a machine that will sort her socks and hang up
her clothes. Invent your own machine that serves a purpose.
Draw it, and write a brief paragraph about it, including its
purpose. Entitle it, “My Machine”.
• Word Research: Find 10 new or unusual words. Write the
definition and a sentence using each word. Entitle it “Word
Research”.
Scrapbook
Add another two pages to your scrapbook. You should use a
combination of words, phrases, sentences and longer writing,
drawings. Be sure it will fit onto the pages.
Don't forget to include the chapter's title and month in large
letters.
September: “Secrets”
( choose a minimum of two)
• You may choose to be either Emily or Shirley. Write a diary
page about your new friend. Entitle it, “My New Friend”. You may
include illustrations.
• Write a newspaper article about Shirley's first night
babysitting the twins. You may include illustrations. Entitle it,
“Babysitting”. If you like, you can make it like a sports article,
with a play-by-play description of events.
• Describe Shirley's dream (p. 120-122, old book) and tell what
you think it means. You may illustrate it. Entitle it, “Shirley's
Dream”.
• Word Research: Find 10 new or unusual words. Write the
definition and a sentence using each word. Entitle it “Word
Research”.
Scrapbook
Add another two pages to your scrapbook. You should use a
combination of words, phrases, sentences and longer writing,
drawings, and perhaps you'll find some objects or other things to
glue in that go with the section of the story. Be sure everything
will fit on two 9”x12” pages, including the chapter's title and
month in large letters.
October : “the World Series”
(choose a minimum of two)
• Research the 1947 World Series game between the Brooklyn
Dodgers and the New York Yankees. Write 7 interesting facts
about it, or a brief paragraph. Entitle it, “The 1947 World
Series”.
• Simile Hunt: Find a minimum of phrases that compare things
using the words “like” or “as”. Write them and illustrate them.
Entitle it: “October Similes”.
• Word Research: Find 10 new or unusual words. Write the
definition and a sentence using each word. Entitle it “Word
Research”.
Scrapbook
Add another two pages to your scrapbook. You should use a
combination of words, phrases, sentences and longer writing,
drawings, and perhaps you'll find some objects or other things to
glue in that go with the section of the story. Be sure everything
will fit on two 9”x12” pages, including the chapter's title and
month in large letters.
November : “Mooncakes Without Grandfather”
( choose a minimum of two)
• On page 151, Bette Bao Lord uses sensory details to describe
the Chinese mid-autumn festival. Choose some of these to copy
(in quotes) and label them as “sound”, “taste”, “touch”, “sight” or
“smell”. Illustrate them, too. Entitle this, “A Ceremony of the
Senses”.
• Draw a storyboard with pictures and captions on “The Story of
the Filial Daughter and the Loving Bride”. A storyboard page has
4-8 squares with a drawing inside each square, with a sentence or
two written underneath it. Use about 4-8 squares. Entitle it “The
Story of the Filial Daughter and the Loving Bride.”
• Write your opinion on what the story means. How does it
connect to the way Shirley is feeling? Entitle it, “The Filial
Daughter and the Loving Bride.”
Scrapbook
Add another two pages to your scrapbook. You should use a
combination of words, phrases, sentences and longer writing,
drawings, and perhaps you'll find some objects or other things to
glue in that go with the section of the story. Be sure everything
will fit on two 9”x12” pages, including the chapter's title and
month in large letters.
December: “A star-Spangled Christmas”
(choose a minimum of two)
• Label and illustrate all the contributions Shirley's family and
friends made toward her turkey costume. Entitle it, “Shirley's
Turkey Costume”.
• Write a letter from Shirley to Emily apologizing for being mean
to her. Entitle it “An Apology to Emily”.
• Draw an original picture of Shirley and Jackie Robinson and
surround it with some quotes from pages 166-168. Entitle it,
“Shirley and Jackie Robinson”.
• Think about the whole book, In the Year of the Boar and Jackie
Robinson . What messages do you think the author wants to give
us? Write five messages or themes from the book. You may add
illustrations. Entitle it, “Messages from Bette Bao Lord”.