Norvelt latest chapter

In the latest chapter of Dead End in Norvelt, a mysterious death has taken place.  It is a Hell's Angel member.  It makes me wonder what this might have to do with the book.  I was also curious to hear Miss Volker talk about seeing a person act like this before.  What might this mean?  Also, make some predictions as to what effect this death might have to the plot of the story.

Dead End in Norvelt

We came to an interesting part in the book when Jack mowed down the corn field when his mother told him that if he does he will be grounded forever. If you were Jack what would you do? Would you mow it down like your dad told you to or would you leave it be like your mom told you to? When Jack is at baseball practice he sees his mom coming with a wooden spoon in her hand and Jack can feel his nose start to bleed. Jack starts running widly and looks like a turkey with its head cut of. I think that was a funny part in the book and want to know what you would do if your mom came to your baseball practice with a wooden spoon in her hand. What do you think will happen to Jack when his dad finds out about him shooting the sniper rifle? I want to all of your thoughts about this chapter.

Final thoughts

What are your final thoughts on the story Rules.  Describe your OPINIONS.  What do you THINK?  I want this to be more of your thoughts and not a summary.  You SHOULD use evidence from the story to help support your thoughts. 

Party

In this chapter, Catherine decides to go to Jason's party.  Everything seems to be going extremely well until Jason asks about her neighbor.  Catherine mentions that Kristi would have had fun at the party, but she went to the community dance with Ryan (in my mind, she is very nevrous at this point and is talking very fast).  Jason drops the bomb and asks Catherine to go to the dance.  She then start to rattle off all her rules and it makes Jason very upset.  He asks if she is embarassed by him, but she won't give him a straight answer.  She keeps referring to her rules.  This makes Jason very upset and he leaves and so does Catherine.  What do you think about this whole situation?  Why wouldn't she go with him?  Why won't she tell the truth?  What does this hold for their friendship (he says he likes her!!!!). Lots happening and I want to know your thoughts. 

Catherine and Jason

At the end of the chapter, Catherine is putting cards into Jason's communication book.  The card "together" had her and Jason sitting on the bench together, but Jason isn't in his wheel chair.  He tells her he wants it in the picture and she makes another excuse as to why she didn't put him in it.  This upsets Jason and he turns and rolls away. 

I think now Jason is beginning to know why Catherine acts the way she does.  She has a tendency to not show these feeling and makes excuses for why she doesn't want stuff.  I want to know why she does this.  Why does she always make excuses?  Why hasn't she told Kristi the truth?  Why did she answer for Kristi when Jason invited her to his party (why didn't she ask Kristi)? 

Kristi and Catherine

In this chapter, Kristi and Catherine meet up to make posters for the dance.  Catherine tells Kristi she can't go to the dance because Jason invited her to his birthday party (she still hasn't told Kristi anything about Jason; and she lies about why she can't go to the dance).  While they are making posterds, David walks into her room and Kristi asks him to dance.  Well this turns into a big issue for Catherine.  She thinks Kristi is making fun of David.  You begin to sense that Kristi doesn't really like how Catherine always acts weird with David.  Then Catherine gets the nerve built up to ask Kristi a big question.  Now this seems to have a big effect on their relationship because the end of the chapter, they finish the posters in barely talking.  To me, this is a big issue and a huge part of the book.  What are your thoughts on this chapter?    

LOTS

In the beginning of the story, Jason comes into the clinic on his own with a motorized wheel chair.  His mom makes the comment that Jason wants to do lots of things on his own these days.  Why do you think that is?  Is Catherine having an influence on his life?  How?

When they get to the bench, Catherine notices Kristi near them.  She tries to hide herself so Kristi won't see her.  Why does she do this?  I would think this is a great time for her to introduce Jason so her.  But as you know, she has been hiding Jason's true identity from Kristi.  The longer she keeps things a secret from her friends, the worse off she is going to be. 

Jason then begins to tell Catherine how pretty she is.  She acts like she's a dork, but Jason doesn't see it that way.  Again, this is an interesting part because Catherine won't express herself to Jason. 

Lots of happening in this chapter.  I want to know ALL your thoughts. 

realization

The lastest chapter we had read showed some of Catherine's inner feelings.  You can tell how she is feeling by the way she is describing the scene in the story with her father.  She is having some emotional problems with her family based on many things.  She describes her father as chosing his tomatoes over her and David.  This is a big moment in the book.  Tell me why she is feeling this way?  Describe how you might feel if you were in this situation.  What do you think has caused her to feel so disconnected with her father and even her mother? 

There is also a moment where her mom tells her dad that it is 3:00 and David is waiting for him.  How would you describe the relationship between the mom and dad?  What is causing this feeling in the relationship?  Is it good or bad or what?  I want to know your thoughts.

Jason's Comment

Why does Jason say he sometimes wishes he would die?

YOU NEED TO HAVE A GOOD ANSWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2 Chapters

We discussed why Catherine brought her guinea pig to the clinic with her.  I loved your answers.  In the next chapter, there was a big incident with Kristi and Ryan.  We saw a bit of a mean side of Catherine.  Based on her reaction and what she is saying, what inference can you make about Catherine and Ryan? 

Also, why does Catherine ask David "Who are you?"  I found that weird.  It's her brother.  What does she mean by this? 

What will it be?

What is Catherine going to do to make it up to Jason?  She seems pretty confident that she knows exactly what to do to cheer him up.   How do you think Kristi and Catherine are going to get a long in the future.  Remember I told you to keep in mind that she is pushing her to ask Jason out on a date and to go to the dance.  This seems odd to me.  It's the first time they have really met and already Kristi is trying to make her do things.  If I were meeting someone for the first time, I wouldn't push them like Kristi is.  Why do you think she is doing this?  MAKE INFERENCES!  USE DETAILS FROM THE LAST CHAPTER OR YOU OWN EXPERIENCES TO HELP SUPPORT YOUR INFERENCE

situation

In the latest chapter, Catherine was making cards for Jason, and David came into her room.  Well needless to say, David had one of him moments, but the big issue was who was next door.  RYAN is next door talking to Catherine's new neighbor.  Again, meeting each other becomes a big issue because of an incident with David.  What do you think might happen because of this?  Then something huge happens!  Catherine's mom wants her to go next door and invite the neighbors over for a cookout.  Well Catherine of course if worried about David.  So they are outside and she see's the mother outside.  She goes to talk to her and David again has another one of his moments while she is talking to her.  And then, Catherine does something that is terrible.  She doesn't even invite them.  She lies!  Tell me your thoughts on this whole situation.  I WANT DETAILS! 

End Of The Hunt

At the end of the last chapter you read yesterday, I hope a feeling of elation (meaning happiness), came to your mind.  Seeing someone's hard work pay off like his did, hopefully makes you see what hard work can do.  You also see his family have this same feeling for him.  I love this and hopefully you are making a connection with something in your life.  Reading is about making connections to things in your life.  Tell me what connections you made, how you feel, or anything else from this chapter. 

Interesting Part

We heard yesterday in the story, that Billy's dogs aren't dead, they are actually alive.  I was shocked to hear this the first time I read this book.  I guessed that when he pointed, the dogs would get lost and would die.  It made me feel bad for Billy because his dogs are so loyal and will do anything to please him.  We left off when one of the hunters came back and said they were still alive.  My emotions went back to excitement because it would be bad if they died.  What are your thougths when the dogs took off on after the coon?  Do you think they have the coon treed?  He needs this coon to win the contest.  I wonder??????

Big Moment

We came to a big moment in the story.  They are on the last night of the hunt and a big storm sets in.  Everyone is really worried about not being able to get back to camp and possibly freezing to death.  They have suggested leaving the dogs behind, but Billy will not listen to this.  I love his desire and vigor!  He won't leave his dogs behind because they mean so much to him!  I think I would be the same way.  Eventually, they find the dogs, but they lose Grandpa!  Little Ann, the extremely smart dog she is, finds him and he is hurt pretty badly.  Reply to this post.  How did/would you feel during the storm?  What do you think might happen next?  How are they going to survive this storm?  Will these problems ruin their chance at winning the hunt? 

Chapter 11

In chapter 11, Billy is describing a scene in which his dog has fallen into the icy river.  He is describing the scene as it unfolds.  We left off and his last thought was his dog was going to fall in and die and he couldn't do anything to save her.  With you best ideas,  I want you to describe how you would feel if you were Billy.  What would be going through your mind as this was happening?  What would you do?  YOUR BEST IDEAS!!!  MAKE CONNECTIONS!!! 

Chapter 7

Chapter 7 was about Billy trying to catch a coon so he could train his dogs.  He couldn't catch one and had to go to his grandfather for help.  His grandfather's trap seemed pretty simple and he didn't think it would work.  He worked hard and finally ended up catching a coon.  His persistence (hard work; never giving up) paid off.  I continue to be surprised by how hard Billy works.  What do you think about his work ethic?  Does he work harded than anyone you know?  Does he remind you of anyone? 

Where the Red Fern Grows

During chapter 6, Billy finally shows up at home.  His father isn't that upset with him.  I was expecting him to be in big trouble and maybe be grounded or something worse.  What do you think of his parents reaction?  Did you think their reaction was different from what you thought?  Post your comments on the chapter.