A Summer of Silk Moths Character Map Character Paul Relationship to others Direct Traits / page Indirect Traits / page Pete Nora Abe Gram Gramps Bella Christina Linda Cathy
Chapters 1 and 2 Journal Prompts #1 We are all subjects of First impressions as well as people who make judgments about others based on first impressions. What first impressions are made in Chapters 1 and 2? Use details and examples to explain your ideas. #2 Make a connection to another story you have read or to your own life about a positive or negative first impression.?
Chapters 3 and 4 Journal Prompts #3 Jealousy is a strong human emotion. Which characters are experiencing jealous feelings, and why? Explain how the characters handle their feelings. Were their actions right or wrong? Why? (Add ideas to Direct and Indirect character trait map where appropriate). #4 Think about films, other books, and lives of people you know. Write about a time that a person became jealous. Tell what happened, how the characters handled their feelings, and how the situation was resolved. (If you use an example from someone you know, be sure to CHANGE their names to protect their privacy!)
Chapters 5 and 6 Journal Prompts #5 People give things away when they are finished with them, don t want them any more, or think that someone else may appreciate them. What was given in this selection? Why was it given? Discuss the idea of asking for it back. Is it right or wrong to ask for something back and why? #6 On page 77, Christina says, Life is so full of twists and turns, Pete. You just wait. She was referring (in part) to her move back to Buchanan. Think about your life here in Buchanan, and discuss why you might want to stay (or leave) this area as an adult.
Chapters 7 and 8 Journal Prompts #7 Nature vs. Nurture: People can resemble their relatives in looks, personality, interests, and mannerisms even when they ve never met. How does Nora resemble others in her family? Use details and examples to explain things that are similar and different. How do you think that finding out about these things helps/hinders Nora? #8 Make a personal connection by considering something about your looks, personality traits, or mannerisms that you may have inherited. Does this affect your life in a positive or negative way? Explain.
Chapters 9 and 10 Journal Prompts #9 On page 119, Nora is speaking to Pete. Okay, so we re both loners. So we know what that s like. But Abe isn t a loner. He s alone. There s a difference. Define the difference between these two terms, and explain what you think Nora meant. #10 Think about characters from other novels you ve read. Identify at least two characters who were alone, and two who were loners. Explain your choices.
Chapters 11 and 12 Journal Prompts #11 When people are hurt emotionally, they handle it in different ways. Discuss each of the main characters in this book, telling how they have been hurt in their lives and how they have reacted to that hurt. Is one way any better than another? Explain. (Can you add to your direct or indirect character traits chart?) #12 Make a connection between one of the characters reaction to being hurt in this book with another character that you ve read about this year. Explain your perspective with details and examples.
Chapters 13 and 14 Journal Prompts #13 How is the moth collection important to the development of the plot in this book? When you read Paul s Journal entries about the collection, there appears to be juxtaposition in his character. Explain what juxtaposition is, and how it relates to what the reader knows about Paul s character. #14 Make a connection to self by writing about a collection you currently have, or a collection you had in the past. What triggered your interest? Tell when you collected these things, where you found them, and how long you worked on the collection. If you ve never collected anything, write about a collection you d like to start or explain why you would NOT start one.
Chapters 15 and 16 Journal Prompts #15 What does the moth represent in this book? Select one of the main characters (Nora, Pete, Abe, or Christina) and explain how the life cycle of the moth mirrors the life of this character. #16 Make a connection to this book by describing a time when you had a problem relating to another person. What did you do to solve your problem?