Tangerine Blog #2, January 28, 2010

Choose two questions (or more) and write a detailed answer to each one--a full paragraph, 8-10 sentences minimum, about half a page each.

Type your answers into the blog comment box.

Proofread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then, copy and paste what you wrote into a word document. Print the word document, and hand it in.

Once you have posted your answers, discuss what other students are posting.

Keep your discussion focused on the book.

Questions for pages 77-155

1. Look at some of the big choices Paul or any other character has made. Briefly explain the choice, and tell the page number. Then, explain 1) why the character had to make the choice he or she did; 2) the immediate consequences of the choice; 3) the long term consequences of the choice. Remember, the consequences is the outcome--it can be positive or negative. Also, choices can have more than one consequence.

2. Discuss the sink hole even...don't just summarize it, but talk about what it adds to the story, and makes you think about, why it's important to Paul, etc.

3. Is Paul a reliable narrator, meaning, do you believe the story he is telling, and his view of things?

4. At the end of Thursday, September 14, Paul states, "You're either at the center of Dad's world, or you're nowhere. There is no in between. It's the Dad era now." Explain what you think Paul means.

5. Who or what is influencing most of Paul's choices in this section of the book? Do you think he's doing the right thing? Explain.

6. Talk about the sports action in the story...what do you have to say about it? What does it add to the story? Explain.

7. Respond to Paul's change of schools. Before you write, look back over the story from Monday, September 18 to Friday, September 29.

8. Compare and contrast the two middle schools--what does Paul gain or lose by moving? Go beyond soccer.

9. What do you think of the new soccer team?

10. Analyze Tuesday, October 3. Why does Paul feel the need to write about something now that he did not feel the need to write about it when it happened? What does this writing show us about Joey's character? Do Joey's reactions seem realistic--why or why not?

Tangerine Discussion January 22, 2010

Summarize the Erik Fisher Football Dream, and explain how the dream influences the interactions of the family.

The zombie appears in the last paragraph of the entry for Friday, August 18. Re-read the paragraph--what do you think is the meaning of the zombie?

What do you think about Paul's first day of school?

Re-read Monday, August 28. Focus on the main events of that day; Joey; Erik's character traits; sibling relationships. Then, list what you think are the five most important pieces of information you gained. Explain why they are important.

Think back to all that is said about lightning. Are the descriptons realistic? Explain how they add foreshadowing and suspense to the story. Lastly, give your personal response to this part of the story.

Compare (how it is the same) and contrast (how it is different) the relationship between the Costello brothers and the Fisher brothers.