Crash by Jerry Spinelli Crash John Coogan is the typical jock. At least what most of us have in mind as a jock. He's cool; he's popular; he's well-dressed. Crash has a wonderful life, until life deals him a hand that he could not have expected. When Crash's grandfather unexpectedly has a stroke, Crash unconsciously steps back and re-evaluates his life -- without even realizing he's doing it. Suddenly, his cool friends don't seem so cool anymore. Things that were once the most important in his life become trivial. As a result of his grandfather's illness, Crash becomes more aware of the world around him and realizes there more important things in life than breaking records in football. Pre-reading: Before you start, respond to the following questions in detail. 1) What is a bully? Who is a bully? Where do bullies hang out? Describe in complete sentences what you think characteristics of a bully are. You may even describe a time when you were bullied or if you bullied someone else. This is a bully Draw what you think a bully looks like Vocabulary: In a sentence write the meaning of the word from the context in the book. p.1 stance p.2 gawking p.2 announcement p.11 bamboozled p.13 Quaker The Religious Society of Friends, also known as Quakers, is a movement that began in England in the century. The Society of Friends has been influential in the history of the world. The state of Pennsylvania, founded by William Penn was considered a safe place for Quakers to live and practice their faith. Quakers have been a significant part of the movements to abolish slavery, acknowledge the equal rights of women, and end warfare. They have also promoted education and the humane treatment of prisoners and the mentally ill, through the founding or reforming of various institutions. p.14 dummkopf p.21 vegetarians p.22 consume Questions during reading: As you read Crash, respond to the following question using detail in your response. 1) I can still remember the first time I saw him. The summer before first grade, seven years ago. How old is the narrator now? Why do you think the narrator is still able to recall the information?
2) Crash states You re gonna be a flat-nosed baby if you don t shut-up, I m thinking. What does your button say? I ask him. No, I said. I pointed at the new button. I could tell it only had one word. What s it say? What do these two quotes tell you about Crash? What skill has Penn accomplished that Crash has not? 3) In complete sentences explain why Crash leaves a meatball on Webb s doorstep? 4) Why is Mike Deluca Crash s new best friend? Use complete sentences and support your answer with details from the text. 5) In chapter 9, what grade is Crash in? What time in the school year does this chapter take place? 6) He s so dumb. He never figures out who s doing it. He never gets mad at us. In fact, he never gets mad at anybody. Day after day, his chippy, chirpy, perky self. What a moron. Why does Crash think Penn s attitude is dumb? 7) Why is Penn, according to Crash, day after day, his chippy, chirpy, perky self? Character Boxes: Write words/quotes from the story that describe and compare the following characters. Crash John Coogan Penn Webb John is nicknamed Crash after tackling family members and being very active Penn Webb is names after the 1919 Penn Relays by his grandfather Crash John Coogan Mike Deluca
Vocabulary: Using your dictionary define the following words, and then use the definitions to help answer the questions below influence (noun): influence (transitive verb): Function: Influence being used as a noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin influentia, from Latin influent influens,present participle of influere to flow in, from in- + fluere to flow more at FLUID Date: 14th century 1 a: an ethereal fluid held to flow from the stars and to affect the actions of humans b: an emanation of occult power held to derive from stars 2: an emanation of spiritual or moral force 3 a: the act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command b: corrupt interference with authority for personal gain 4: the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways: 5 one that exerts influence Using the text from Chapter 16, describe the influence that Penn is having on: 8) Abby 9) Jane Forbes 10) Crash 11) Mike Read Chapter 18, then respond to the questions below. 12) What was Webb participating in at the football game? 13) Why were Webb s parents at the football game? 14) Why was Crash looking for his parents at the football game? 15) Who was Crash referring to when he said I wanted to charge up there and strangle them? And why was he did he that way?
Visual Imagery: illustrate an image that you have visualized in your mind while reading Chapter 18 Read Chapter 20, then respond to the questions below. 16) Describe Grandpa Scooter s personality? 17) What is it about Scooter that Abby and Crash enjoy so much and why? Bulkhead Hatch Galley Mess Ladder Sea chest Navy Talk: Fill in the word that means the same as the Navy term 18) Now that Scooter lives with the Coogen family, what is your prediction of what will happen next in the story with these characters?
Cartoon: While reading Chapter 23 and 24 create a comic strip that captures the sequence of events in the two chapters. Compare & Contrast: In the diagram below, describe the two sides of the Mall argument presented in Chapter 26. One oval will depict Mom s side of the argument, while the other oval depicts Abby s side. In the middle will go any overlapping concerns. You may want to say which argument makes the most sense to you. Mom s Argument Abby s Argument
Read Chapter 27, then respond to the question below. 19) Describe Crash s personality has changed in the story by chapter 27. Support your response with three details/quotes from the book. Vocabulary: In a sentence write the meaning of the word from the context in the book. p.101 cockamamie idea p.101 vermin p.102 lit p.103 hoisted Read Chapter 30, then respond to the questions below. 20) Crash reflects on the day and asks himself Why did I do it? In complete sentences, explain why you think Crash tackled Scooter and support your answer with details from the book. Vocabulary: Using your dictionary define the following words, and then use the definitions to help answer the questions below panic (noun): terror (noun): affright (verb): anxiety (noun): In complete sentences describe Crash s panic which occurs in Chapter 32 Retell/Summarizing: Go back and re-read the story of the Missouri mud, then write the story in your own words using lots of detail.
Read Chapter 38, then respond to the questions below. 21) Why is Penn Webb running past Crash s house every night? 22) Why is Penn Webb running at night? Read Chapter 42, then respond to the questions below. 23) Why is the friendship between Mike Deluca and Crash changing? Describe the change in friendship thoroughly using supporting details from the book. 24) What are the Penn Relays? Describe the Penn Relays history and how they relate to Penn Webb. Quote: Read the quote below found on p. 147 and then respond to the question that follows. I m trying to get back the old safe-in-the-bed-boat feeling. I can t quite make it. Before, it was like Scooter was captain and we were the mates. Now it s turned around. We re the captains. You don t feel so safe being the captain. 25) Describe a time in your life when you felt like Crash is feeling.
Read & Respond: Describe, in complete sentences, all the changes you saw in these characters from the beginning of the book to the end. You can include quotes from the book to support your response. Crash John Coogen: Abby Coogan Scooter Coogan Penn Webb Jane Forbes