Name _______________________________
Hour ____________
DUE:
Touching Spirit Bear Questions
Chapter One
1. Where is Cole being taken?
2. There were two other people in the boat:
o Garvey
________________________________________________________
o Edwin
________________________________________________________
3. What did Cole do to Edwin to try to make him angry?
4. Who were the only people Cole could trust?
5. Who was Peter Driscal? What happened to him?
6. Nathaniel Blackwood is the _______________hired by Cole’s parents.
7. Why do you think Garvey kept visiting Cole?
8. What is Circle Justice?
Chapter Two
1. Cole pretended to go along with all of the requirements of the circle Justice.
What were his real intentions?
2. What four things did Edwin tell Cole to learn?
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3. What did Garvey give to Cole to take care of? What do the Tlingits call this?
4. What happened to Cole's knuckles in his jail cell? What did he say happened?
5. What did Cole do when Garvey and Edwin drove away in their boat?
6. What did Edwin tell Cole about his treatment of the animals?
Chapter Three
1. What does he tell Garvey that he hates about his life?
2. What secret about his dad did Cole reveal to Garvey?
3. When Cole's mother knew what his dad was doing, what did she do?
4. What do you think Garvey is trying to show Cole with the cake
demonstration?
5. Describe the emotions Cole experiences in this chapter.
6. What does he do to escape the island?
Chapter Four
1. Who was involved in the Circle of Justice?
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2. Why did this worry Cole?
3. Why did Cole's father and his lawyer look out of place?
4. What did Cole do to Peter Driscal at this meeting and why did he stop?
5. What was the significance of the feather?
6. Tell how Cole's mom, his dad, Cole, the lawyer and Peter Driscal all
responded when it was their turn to hold the feather:
A. Cindy Matthews
B. William Matthews
C. Nathaniel Blackwood
D. Cole
E. Peter
Chapter Five
1. What had happened to Cole to swim back to the island?
2. What happened to Cole's legs?
3. When Cole awakens from his first night on the island, what does he see?
4. Why did the bear make him so angry?
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5. When Cole heard what his father said at Circle Justice he exploded, why?
Chapter Six
1. Cole begged his mom to say something when she held the feather. What did
he want her to say? Did she do it? Why or why not?
2. Peter's lawyer said that any solution found by this Circle must do two things,
what were they?
a.
b.
3. Why did the guard cuff Cole?
4. Tell about the one time Cole's mom tried to intervene when Cole was being
beaten.
5. What solution does Garvey come up with at the Circle Meeting to satisfy the
Driscal's lawyer and allow Cole not to be sentenced yet?
6. What does Garvey mean when he says "If you go to jail, I won't bet a nickel
on your future."
Chapter Seven
1. Why does Cole feel the need for a weapon? What does he make?
2. Cole woke up in the middle of the night because the stillness awakened him.
What was about to happen?
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3. How did Cole deal with his hunger?
4. What did he do when he saw the Spirit Bear at the mouth of the bay?
5. Did this frighten the bear? Why or why not?
Chapter Eight
1. What does the Spirit Bear do when Cole charges him?
2. Describe the episode Cole has with the white bear.
3. What are the damages Cole endures?
4. When Cole realizes where he is, what are the sea gulls doing?
5. Describe for me how Edwin (elder of Tlingit) told Cole to live with the other
creatures on the island.
6. Is he doing this? (Refer to Question #5)
7. What emotion did he find even more unbearable than the pain?
Chapter Nine
1. Cole is obviously injured badly as he lies there on the edge of the bay. What
other conditions make this even worse for him?
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2. Cole's bitterness and anger actually helped him keep from losing
consciousness during this time. He was watching baby birds. What did he
think he would do if he were the mother bird? Why did he feel that way?
3. The storm rages on and on until finally lightening strikes right beside him.
What does it hit and what happens?
4. What does Cole do at the end of the chapter that tells the reader he is
beginning to learn and grow?
Chapter Ten
1. Cole is slipping in and out of consciousness as a new pain was building in his
body. What happened to Cole that caused him "painful shame?"
2. Why could Cole no longer be angry?
3. When Cole finally found the baby birds, what had happened to them?
4. Why was he envious of them?
5. How was Cole like the baby birds?
6. What does Cole eat and then choked on? What other delicacies did he find to
eat? Food is energy and energy is life and Cole wanted to live.
6
Chapter Eleven
1. Before Cole ate the mouse to give himself energy, he said he "pitied the little
mouse." How is this different from his attitude earlier in the story?
2. Cole felt satisfaction after he ate, explain why.
3. How did Cole get water?
4. Describe Cole's emotions when the Spirit Bear returned.
5. Why did he spit at the bear?
Chapter Twelve
1. Why did Cole cry when the Spirit Bear left him alone?
2. The Spirit Bear returns and this time Cole's response is different. How?
3. What does the bear do that Cole didn't expect?
4. What does Cole discover about the world just as he was growing delirious?
5. What does Garvey believe happened to Cole?
Chapter Thirteen
1. Who is Rosey?
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2. Describe the difference in the way Cole treats Garvey and Edwin now and how
he treated them in the first chapters.
3. Describe Cole's dream (nightmare).
4. Garvey admits that he is helping Cole for himself. Explain.
5. Cole tells Edwin that he is done being mad. What does Edwin tell him anger
is?
6. Why does Cole throw away his only proof that the Spirit Bear was real?
Chapter Fourteen
1. Describe Cole's physical condition at the beginning of this chapter.
2. What did Garvey persuade the guard to do as they were transporting Cole
from the hospital to the detention center?
3. What did Cole's dad do for him during his hospitalization? His mom?
4. Why did Garvey warn Cole that the healing of his physical wounds was the
easy part?
5. What has happened to Cole's mom? Why is she doing so much better?
6. What information does his mom reveal to him about his dad?
8
7. What was Garvey's surprise for Cole at the Circle Justice meeting?
Chapter Fifteen
1. What information did Peter Driscal's lawyer reveal about his recovery?
2. Describe Edwin's demonstration for the circle.
3. Tell about Peter Driscal's lawyer's reaction when Cole insisted he had seen the
Spirit Bear?
4. What new information regarding the white bears did Edwin reveal?
5. What conditions for returning to the island did Edwin suggest to the members
of Circle Justice?
6. Why was Cole's father so angry and abusive?
Chapter Sixteen
1. Cole struggles physically with tasks that should be simple, why?
2. What news does Garvey break to Cole once they are back on the island?
3. What does Edwin do to the skiff that demonstrates a lack of trust for Cole?
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4. What does Cole learn about trust?
5. Describe how Garvey's meal was different from Cole's.
6. What did Edwin tell Cole to celebrate when Cole complained about nothing to
celebrate about?
Chapter Seventeen
1. What kept Cole awake all night his first night back on the island?
2. What new experience did Edwin introduce Cole to at dawn? Why?
3. Describe Edwin's demonstration for Cole with the stick. What lesson did he
want Cole to learn?
Chapter Eighteen
1. When Garvey, Edwin and Cole were watching the whales, what did Edwin
decide to do that evening?
2. Why wouldn't Garvey or Edwin help Cole build his new cabin?
3. Who paid for all of the new supplies and cabin materials? How?
4. What does each person do after his dance?
5. Why didn't Edwin have Cole dance an anger dance to release his anger yet?
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6. Cole wanted to skip a day of going to the water. When did Edwin say he could
do that?
7. Once the rock is set down it becomes your _____________. Rolling it down
the hill what was Cole to imagine?
Chapter Nineteen
1. Cole sighted an animal along the shoreline after he returned to camp, what
was it?
2. To honor the animal and learn from it Garvey announced that they would do
what that evening?
3. What will be Cole's last chore before leaving the island?
4. What happens when Cole announces that he is hitting the sack for the night?
5. When Cole apologized to Garvey and Edwin, what did they tell him?
6. What did Cole do the next morning?
Chapter Twenty
1. What does Cole tell Edwin and Garvey he has learned when he returns to
camp following his morning soak?
2. It is described that Cole was glowing with satisfaction, why do you think he
was so satisfied?
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3. Describe the evening meal he prepared for Edwin and Garvey. Why did he do
this?
4. What dance does Cole choose to do?
5. Why do you think he chose to do this particular dance?
Chapter Twenty One
1. Describe a day in Cole's life on the island.
2. How did Cole get a log large enough for a totem?
3. What were his first thoughts about the log?
4. What reason does Edwin give Cole that he isn't seeing the Spirit Bear?
5. Why can't Cole dance the dance of anger yet?
Chapter Twenty Two
1. Cole works hard on his totem in this chapter. What does he carve first and
why does he choose that particular animal?
2. Why does he carve the wolf next?
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3. What does he learn from the beaver?
4. What about Edwin's behavior troubles Cole when Edwin drops off supplies?
Chapter Twenty Three
1. Cole finally discovers the secret to becoming invisible, what is it?
2. How did he celebrate his ability to become invisible?
3. Which dance was Cole finally able to perform? Describe what happened during
his dance.
4. When Cole cried out "I'm Sorry!" which people do you believe he was
apologizing to?
Chapter Twenty Four
1. Cole learned something very critical about anger - what is it?
2. What is it that Cole had to discover before he could heal his wounded heart
and broken spirit?
3. What does Edwin reveal to Cole as the reason for Garvey and him to be
helping Cole as much as they are?
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4. Describe how Cole celebrated Christmas.
5. What word does Edwin bring Cole about Peter in February?
6. Why does Edwin believe Peter tried to take his own life?
7. Why is saying he was sorry not enough to help Peter?
8. What solution does Cole come up with to help Peter?
Chapter Twenty Five
1. How does Edwin respond to Cole's idea to bring Peter to the island?
2. Why does Edwin tell Cole that he and Garvey are proud of him?
3. Describe how Edwin holds Cole accountable for everything.
4. When does he tell the visitors was the turning point when he began to think
about something besides himself?
5. Edwin forces Cole to tell the group why he hasn't carved the bottom of the
totem yet. What does he tell them?
6. How does Peter respond?
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Chapter Twenty Six
1. Where does Edwin have Cole sleep? Why?
2. What are Cole's thoughts as he soaks in the pond the next day?
3. Describe the incident between Mr. Driscal and Cole.
4. What information does Garvey bring Cole about his father? How does Cole
react?
5. How does Garvey want him to pay him back for his kindness?
6. When Cole is frustrated that Peter doesn't seem to appreciate that he is going
to this extra for him, what does Garvey remind him of?
7. What kindness does he extend to Cole?
Chapter Twenty Seven
1. What was the last straw for Cole?
2. How does Cole respond? What kindness does he show Peter?
3. What did Garvey tell Cole when Cole said that Peter would never forgive him?
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4. How does Cole explain to Peter why he threw away proof that he had been
mauled by a white bear?
5. What does Peter do to Cole's totem while he and Garvey are out looking for
whales?
6. How does Cole respond?
Chapter Twenty Eight
1. What does Peter propose for their morning soak?
2. Describe his treatment of Cole.
3. Why do you think he did this?
4. How did Cole respond?
5. Describe what happens.
6. What did the boys carve together at the bottom of Cole's totem? Why?
7. How would you describe life, as you know it?
8. What do you believe is the most important lesson to be learned from
"Touching Spirit Bear?
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TOUCHING SPIRIT BEAR
Note: Pages May NOT match up. Sorry!
Vocabulary List
1. defiant (p.3) Marked by defiance; boldly resisting
2. skiff (p.3) A flatbottom open boat of shallow draft, having a pointed bow and
a square stern and propelled by oars, sail, or motor.
3. at`oow (p.19)a tradition of passing on a gift which cannot be owned - only
cared for before passing it on to another person
4. Circle Justice (p. 12) a form of justice designed to rehabilitate and heal youth
rather than contain them in detention centers
5. devil's club - ...A spiny deciduous shrub (Oplopanax horridus) of western
North America, having wide palmate leaves, greenish-white flowers, and
scarlet fruit clustered in umbels....
6. barrage - bombard, pepper, shower1 These verbs mean to direct a
concentrated outpouring at something or someone:...
7. venomous - Secreting and transmitting venom: a venomous snake. b. Full of
or containing venom. 2. Malicious; spiteful: a venomous remark. See
synonyms at poisonous. venom·ous·ly...
8. sullenly (p.30) - ...Showing a brooding ill humor or silent resentment; morose
or sulky. 2. Gloomy or somber in tone, color, or portent: sullen, gray skies. 3.
Sluggish; slow: the sullen...
9. banishment (p. 31) - NOUNbanish, exile, expatriate, deport,...
10. symbolizes (p.38) - . To represent or identify by a symbol. To use symbols
11. obligations (p.38) - A social, legal, or moral requirement, such as a duty,
contract, or promise that compels one to follow...
12. dignity (p.44) - The quality or state of being worthy of esteem or respect. 2.
Inherent nobility and worth: the dignity of honest labor. 3a. Poise and selfrespect. b. Stateliness...
13. isolate - To separate
14. devoted - Devote implies faithfulness and loyalty: Nurses devote themselves
to the care of...
15. taunted - See synonyms at ridicule. 2. To drive or incite (a person) by
taunting. A scornful remark or tirade; a jeer.
16. persistent - 2. Insistently repetitive or continuous: a persistent ringing of the
telephone.
17. scrounged - to steal.scrounger -NOUN...
18. manipulated - . To influence or manage shrewdly or deviously: He
manipulated public opinion in his favor. 3. To tamper...
19. remote - The control of an activity, process, or machine from a distance, as
by radioed instructions or coded signals. 2. A device used to control an
apparatus or machine...
20. vanished (p.59) - ..See synonyms at disappear. b. To pass out of existence.
21. boughs (p.60) - branches in a tree or bushy plants
22. shrouded (p.60) - ...Something that conceals, protects, or screens: under a
shroud of fog.
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23. incessant (p. 63) - Continuing without interruption. See synonyms at
continual
24. gluttonous (p. 68) - 2. Indulging in something, such as an activity, to excess;
voracious. See synonyms at voracious. glutton·ous·ly -ADVERB...
25. mauling (p.69) - being tackled
26. bile (p. 72) - Any of the liver-generated steroid acids, such as cholic acid, that
commonly occur in the bile in combination with glycine and taurine as sodium
salts....
27. haphazard ( p.75) - By chance; casually. hap·hazard·ly -ADVERB
hap·hazard·ness -NOUN...
28. detonated (p.77) - To explode or cause to explode.
29. silhouetted (p.96) - shadowed
30. bizarre (p.98) - ...Strikingly unconventional and far-fetched in style or
appearance; odd. See synonyms at fantastic
31. antibiotics (p.104) - Antibiotics are widely used in the prevention and
treatment of infectious diseases
32. hobbled (p. 115) - ...See synonyms at hamper1. 1. A hobbling walk or gait
33. diminished (p.126) - ...Music To reduce (a perfect or minor interval) by a
semitone. 1. To become smaller or less. See synonyms at decrease
34. sarcastically (p.129) - ...Expressing or marked by sarcasm. 2. Given to using
sarcasm. sarc(asm) + -astic, as in enthusiastic.sar·casti·cal·ly -ADVERB
sarcastic, ironic, caustic, satirical,...
35. savoring (p.139) - . A distinctive quality or sensation: enjoying the savor of
victory. Inflected...
36. ancestry (p.183) - Ancestral descent or lineage. 2. Ancestors considered as a
group
37. totem (p.183) - Native American peoples of the northwest coast of North
America. 2. Slang A hierarchy: low on the totem pole....
38. ceremoniously ( p. 191) - ...Strictly observant of or devoted to ceremony,
ritual, or etiquette; punctilious: borne on silvery trays by ceremonious worldweary waiters
39. indifferently ( p. 229) - Having no particular interest or concern; apathetic:
indifferent to the sufferings of others. 2. Having no marked feeling for or
against: She remained indifferent...
40. massive (p. 238) - Consisting of or making up a large mass; bulky, heavy,
and solid: a massive piece of furniture. 2. Large or imposing, as in quantity,
scope, degree, intensity.
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