Out of the Dust Test Prep. Notes

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March 9, 2012 Agenda: +Quarter Reading Project Turn-in +Out of the Dust

->Test Prep. #7, 8

Spelling & Vocabulary: NONE

Homework: Be prepared to type on Monday!

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1. Characters who change in the course of a story are called dynamic characters. Other characters are static (or flat) characters. They do not change much during the course of a story. Do you think Billie Jo was a dynamic character or a static character? Give examples to support your answer.

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2. Most stories show one or more of the following types of conflicts:

a. Man vs. Man‐two or more characters face a struggle with each otherb. Man vs. Nature ‐this involves a struggle between a character and naturec. Man vs. Himself ‐this is a struggle within a character, usually involving

some sort of choice the person needs to make

In a paragraph response, give an example from the story for each type of conflict.

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3. The climax of a novel is the turning point of the action. It is the point of the story where, if this was a movie, the music would get louder and then the ending would come. It is the point where the main problem of the book begins to come to a solution. In your opinion, what is the climax in Out of the Dust? The resolution of a novel follows the climax. The problems of the novel are solved, and the book ends. In your opinion, what is the resolution in Out of the Dust?

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4. Think about Billie Jo’s situations at the beginning of the book and at the end of the book. Has the Dust Bowl ended? Is the farm truly better off? Explain your answer. What has Billie Jo learned from all she has gone through? In your opinion, is the end of the story positive or negative? Explain your answer.

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5. Sometimes, one event can help readers learn a great deal about the characters in the book. After meeting the man in the boxcar, Billie Jo turns around and returns home. What was this man like? How did meeting him affect Billie Jo? In what ways is Billie Jo's father different from this man?

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6. In one year, Billie Jo grows and changes a great deal. Review each of the seven main sections of the book. What are Billie Jo's main concerns in each section? How is Billie Jo the same in each section? How does she change? If Billie Jo were to describe herself in 1936, how might her life be different? How would it most likely be the same?

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7. The author did a great deal of research on life in the Dust Bowl to help her create authentic setting, events, and characters. Skim through the book for details that seem to reflect facts. What are the most interesting facts you learned about the setting and everyday life in the 1930s?

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8. Karen Hesse is an author who chooses every word with care. The phrase "out of the dust" appears several times in the book. At one point Billie Jo wants to escape "out of the dust," but later she says "I can't get out of something that is inside me." How does the title of the book reflect on Billie Jo as a person? How does it reflect on the general experience of people at that time?

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1. Characters who change in the course of a story are called dynamic characters. Other characters are static (or flat) characters. They do not change much during the course of a story. Do you think Billie Jo was a dynamic character or a static character? Give examples to support your answer.

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2. Most stories show one or more of the following types of conflicts:

a. Man vs. Man‐two or more characters face a struggle with each otherb. Man vs. Nature ‐this involves a struggle between a character and naturec. Man vs. Himself ‐this is a struggle within a character, usually involving

some sort of choice the person needs to make

In a paragraph response, give an example from the story for each type of conflict.

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3. The climax of a novel is the turning point of the action. It is the point of the story where, if this was a movie, the music would get louder and then the ending would come. It is the point where the main problem of the book begins to come to a solution. In your opinion, what is the climax in Out of the Dust? The resolution of a novel follows the climax. The problems of the novel are solved, and the book ends. In your opinion, what is the resolution in Out of the Dust?

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4. Think about Billie Jo’s situations at the beginning of the book and at the end of the book. Has the Dust Bowl ended? Is the farm truly better off? Explain your answer. What has Billie Jo learned from all she has gone through? In your opinion, is the end of the story positive or negative? Explain your answer.

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5. Sometimes, one event can help readers learn a great deal about the characters in the book. After meeting the man in the boxcar, Billie Jo turns around and returns home. What was this man like? How did meeting him affect Billie Jo? In what ways is Billie Jo's father different from this man?

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6. In one year, Billie Jo grows and changes a great deal. Review each of the seven main sections of the book. What are Billie Jo's main concerns in each section? How is Billie Jo the same in each section? How does she change? If Billie Jo were to describe herself in 1936, how might her life be different? How would it most likely be the same?

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7. The author did a great deal of research on life in the Dust Bowl to help her create authentic setting, events, and characters. Skim through the book for details that seem to reflect facts. What are the most interesting facts you learned about the setting and everyday life in the 1930s?

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8. Karen Hesse is an author who chooses every word with care. The phrase "out of the dust" appears several times in the book. At one point Billie Jo wants to escape "out of the dust," but later she says "I can't get out of something that is inside me." How does the title of the book reflect on Billie Jo as a person? How does it reflect on the general experience of people at that time?

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Exposition Characters Setting Plot-Conflict Plot-Climax Plot-Resolution Theme

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->Look at the cover of the novel...

-What do you see? (words, pictures)

->Listen to the excerpt from the back of the novel..

-What do you think the "terrible accident" is? -What time period do you think this story took place in? -Make a prediction. What do you think will happen?

The Plow That Broke the Plains

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FDR & The New Deal

FDR Takes Charge-in the months before Roosevelt took office, the economy worsened-people withdrew their money from banks & desperate fear spread -"the only thing we have to fear is fear itself..."

Restoring Confidence-2 days after being inaugurated, FDR closed all banks and called a special session of Congress -Emergency Banking Relief Act: wide range of powers over banking & set up a system for banks to be reorganized and open

The Hundred Days & The New Deal -special session of Congress in which FDR sent 15 proposals for review -New Deal: all laws that Congress passed within the 100 days; laws and regulations that affected banking, the stock market, industry, agriculture, public works, relief for the poor, and conservation of resources

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