Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

By Mildred D. Taylor

Roll of Thunder, Hear My CryWrite 5 Things You Know About the Great Depression

Write 5 Things You Know About Jim Crow Laws

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry1. During what decade does this novel take

place? 2. How is Jeremy Simms different from the Logan

children? 3. Why does Papa have to work away from home

on the railroad? Who is Mr. Morrison? 4. What is the one little difference between

Uncle Hammer's car and Mr. Granger's car? 5. What is the staple crop?

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry1. During what decade does this novel take

place? 2. How is Jeremy Simms different from the Logan

children? 3. Why does Papa have to work away from home

on the railroad? Who is Mr. Morrison? 4. What is the one little difference between

Uncle Hammer's car and Mr. Granger's car? 5. What is the staple crop?

• http://www.successlink.org/gti/lesson_unit-viewer.asp?lid=2985

• http://www.holton.k12.ks.us/staff/jireland/Summer1999/thunderlessons.htm

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

1. What is the main difference between the Logans and the other blacks?

2. Who is Mr. Jamison? 3. What are "night men"? 4. Why are the Logan children told to stay away from

the Wallace store?

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry: Interpretive Response

Compare and contrast the characters of T.J. Avery and Stacey Logan.

T.J. Avery Both Stacey Logan1.     1.

2.     2.

3.     3.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry: Interpretive Response Chapters 4-6

Why did Mr. Morrison leave it up to Stacey whether or not to tell Mama about going to the Wallace store? (middle Chapter 4)

Explain the meaning of Mama's statement, "But one day we'll have to pay for it. Believe me, one day we'll pay." (last lines of Chapter 6)

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Response Chapter 4

• What is your first clue that T.J. is big trouble? Do you think it’s

• wise that Stacey is friends with him?• • How do you think Stacey felt when he had to

tell his parents• about his fight with T.J.?• • What does Cassie learn about her family

from Big Ma?

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry: Irony and Symbolism Chapters 7-9

Read the three following quotes. Identify and explain the irony or symbolism they contains.

Chapter 4: T.J.'s statement, "Friends gotta trust each other, Stacey, 'cause ain't nothin' like a true friend."

Chapter 6: Uncle Hammer's response, "Well, not exactly like it, Mama. Mine's a few months newer. Last year when I come down here, I was right impressed with that big ole Packard of Mr. Harlan Filmore Granger's and I thought I'd like to own one myself. It seems that me and Harlan Granger just got the same taste."

Chapter 9: Papa's explanation to Cassie that begins, "You see that fig tree over yonder, Cassie?" and ends, "We keep doin what we gotta and we don't give up. We can't."

Roll of Thunder, Hear My CryImagery

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Roll of Thunder, Hear My CryTheme

One of the themes in this book is that of racial conflict. "What is racism? What examples of racism can we see in this story so far?"

Roll of Thunder, Hear My CryCompare/Contrast

Begin a Comparison and Contrast log showing the similarities and differences between the white and the Afro-American children.

White Children Black Children

Ride the county bus Walk to school

Wear poor clothing Also wear poor clothes

Roll of Thunder, Hear My CryCompare/Contrast

Begin a Comparison and Contrast log showing the similarities and differences between the white and the Afro-American children.

White Children Black Children

Ride the county bus Walk to school

Wear poor clothing Also wear poor clothes

Roll of Thunder, Hear My CryReader Response

• What were the night riders doing?" • "Why were the children afraid?" • "Why were the adults afraid?" • "What do you think will happen next?"

Roll of Thunder, Hear My CryChapter 3

• Why does the driver of the white children’s school bus splash the Logan children with mud?

• How do the children get their revenge on the white bus driver and his passengers? Do you think this was right?

• What might it feel like to be the only person in town to have a big, fancy car?

Roll of Thunder, Hear My CryLiterary Concepts

• Carry on seeing the similarities and differences in the way the two racial groups live. Do the differences show when they are not together? Or do they only come out when the two races are together? (For example, both groups have people with money for fancy cars, both have poorer people, both have people who don't agree with the way things are). (Comparison and Contrast)

• Why do the adults, particularly the women fear the white 'night men'? Why do they react to trouble the way they do? Why was Mama so afraid when Hammer left the house? (Drawing Conclusions)

• Remember Cassie's anger at the way they were treated in Strawberry. Write about why she was angry.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My CryLiterary Concepts

• Carry on seeing the similarities and differences in the way the two racial groups live. Do the differences show when they are not together? Or do they only come out when the two races are together? (For example, both groups have people with money for fancy cars, both have poorer people, both have people who don't agree with the way things are) (Comparison and Contrast)

• Why do the adults, particularly the women fear the white 'night men'? Why do they react to trouble the way they do? Why was Mama so afraid when Hammer left the house? (Drawing Conclusions)

• What questions do you have about the chapters you read today? (Clarifying Content) Response Log Remember Cassie's anger at the way they were treated in Strawberry. Write about why she was angry. Then write about a time when you were angry yourself about some time you were treated badly.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Point of View:

The book is for the most part written from a first-person point of view in which the story is told by Cassie, one of the Logan children. But when a flashback occurs, the adult telling the story tells it from their own point of view, which is a different first person point of view. Mr. Morrison's story of his family's death is a good example. (pp 147-150). Be sure you understand point of view - the position from which the story is told. In the first person point of view, the story teller is part of the story and describes himself or herself as 'I'. In the third person point of view, the storyteller is completely outside of the story as if he or she were a spectator, and refers to all characters as 'he' or 'she'.

ROLL OF THUNDER, HEAR MY CRYPoint of View: Activity 1. The Diary

It is the day after the bus crash. Last night, the night men appeared at the farm and then backed out and disappeared. Pretend you are Cassie or Stacey and write a diary entry?

ROLL OF THUNDER, HEAR MY CRYImagery:

Activity 2. The Christmas DinnerWrite as many sensory details as you can, so the reader can draw a mental picture of the Logan’s Christmas dinner.

ROLL OF THUNDER, HEAR MY CRYPersuasive Letter:

Activity 3. Letter to the School BoardWrite a letter to the Chairman of the School Board. Tell him how you think the school system (in the book) should be changed and why. If you think it might cost more money, give him ideas on how the changes can be paid for.

ROLL OF THUNDER, HEAR MY CRYPoint of View: Activity 4. Jeremy’s Story

If you were Jeremy Simms and it were you telling the story, how would it be different? Tell the story from Jeremy's point of view.