See Yall Sistas in class
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Farewell Tamusa Divas
So long, farewell, adieu, hasta la vista senoritas, its been fun and enlightening using the Blogger website. This was new to me so I'll always remember who and why I had to use it. I really enjoyed the book and reading yalls comments. Hope everything turns out good!
Image
this week I chose to change the background image to the flowing colors because to me they seemed like magic and in the end the Watsons had the magic of love and family and strength and courage.
Summary
In the last five chapters of the book we reach the point in Alabama that we knew we would come to, however first we are taken on quite the wild ride with the Wool Pooh (whirlpool) that almost takes Kenny's life and becomes a symbol for death in Kenny's eyes. We find that Byron loves Kenny as much as we always secretly knew he did. In a church in Alabama we see how the Wool Pool, death in this instance, tries to take Joetta from the wierd Watsons and how brotherly love saves her. Finally, we see how a visit to the pet hospital behind the couch leads Byron to save Kenny's life agian. We find that all the Watsons needed throughout the whole trip was a little bit of magic and that is what they really had received all along when possible horrors tried to take them from one another.
Predictions
Since we are at the end of the book there are no predictions about the book left to be made.
I predict that if the book kept going it would read...The Watson family is happy to still have everyone alive and together and they lived happily ever after.
I predict that if the book kept going it would read...The Watson family is happy to still have everyone alive and together and they lived happily ever after.
Additional Characters
There are a couple of new characters that enter the story in the last chapters. They Are:
Grandma Sands - Wiloma's mother a "tinny tiny" old lady. Talks with an extreme Southern dialect. She has a reputation of being a very, very strict grandmother.
Mr. Robert - helps Grandma Sands around the house. He lives with Grandma Sands and is probably her lover. The book does'nt come out and call him her live in lover but you get the sense he is. A very nice man who likes to fish and hunt.
Miss Thomas - She is mentioned only once, she is the woman who lost her son to the drowning in the lake
Toddy - Mr. Roberts old hunting dog.
Joe Collier - He is the land owner who owns the land that encompasses a water area known as "Colliers Landing" the property where Miss Thomas's boy drowned.
Grandma Sands - Wiloma's mother a "tinny tiny" old lady. Talks with an extreme Southern dialect. She has a reputation of being a very, very strict grandmother.
Mr. Robert - helps Grandma Sands around the house. He lives with Grandma Sands and is probably her lover. The book does'nt come out and call him her live in lover but you get the sense he is. A very nice man who likes to fish and hunt.
Miss Thomas - She is mentioned only once, she is the woman who lost her son to the drowning in the lake
Toddy - Mr. Roberts old hunting dog.
Joe Collier - He is the land owner who owns the land that encompasses a water area known as "Colliers Landing" the property where Miss Thomas's boy drowned.
Connector
In the last five chapters the family travels into the South and visits with Grandma Sands. The connection I see is the same as other families when they travel to visit thier loved ones. Respect and etiquette are of upmost importance, especially with the elders of the family. I was reminded of my demeanor around my parents as was Wilona when her mother scolded her. Wilonas' children saw mom act like a kid embarrased by her mothers correction. I do the same thing.
Also, the BBB (big bully brother), By, came full circle after the near drowning incident and the bombing of the church. Maybe the events made him appreciate them more. Many times when tragedy strikes a family, people change for better or worst.
Also, the BBB (big bully brother), By, came full circle after the near drowning incident and the bombing of the church. Maybe the events made him appreciate them more. Many times when tragedy strikes a family, people change for better or worst.
Word Finder
Bobo Brazil meets the Sheik(pg149 & 158) 2 wrestlers that feuded with each other
Et Tu, Brute(pg150) It is a phrase from Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar meaning "And you Brutes".
Submarines(pg154) Something that functions and operates underwater.
Stroke(pg156) Sudden diminution or loss of consciousness, sensation, voluntary motion caused by rupture or obstruction of a blood vessel of the brain.
Blubbering(pg156) To swell, distort or wet with weeping; to utter while weeping.
Coon dog(pg163) A dog that hunts raccoons.
Entree(pg169) The french version of enter; the act or manner of entering
Igloo(pg181) An Eskimo house usually made of sod, wood, or stone when permanent, or blocks of snow and ice in the shape of a dome when built for temporary purposes
Frilly(pg185) A gathered, pleated, or bias-cut fabric edging used on clothing; something decorative or useful and desirable but not essential.
Et Tu, Brute(pg150) It is a phrase from Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar meaning "And you Brutes".
Submarines(pg154) Something that functions and operates underwater.
Stroke(pg156) Sudden diminution or loss of consciousness, sensation, voluntary motion caused by rupture or obstruction of a blood vessel of the brain.
Blubbering(pg156) To swell, distort or wet with weeping; to utter while weeping.
Coon dog(pg163) A dog that hunts raccoons.
Entree(pg169) The french version of enter; the act or manner of entering
Igloo(pg181) An Eskimo house usually made of sod, wood, or stone when permanent, or blocks of snow and ice in the shape of a dome when built for temporary purposes
Frilly(pg185) A gathered, pleated, or bias-cut fabric edging used on clothing; something decorative or useful and desirable but not essential.
Questions Chapter 11-15
Chapter 11:
Kenneth expected Grandma Sands to look like a troll. What do you think led him to this conclusion? What did he find instead?
Chapter 12:
Kenneth was shocked to see Mrs. Watson react the way she did when having the conversation about Mr. Robert with Grandma Sand. What conclusions do you think Kenneth drew during the conversation?
Chapter 13:
What were your thoughts about Kenneth's experience at Collier Landing?
Chapter 14:
Kenneth describes seeing the Wool Pooh at Joey's church. What do you think he is seeing?
Chapter 15:
What are your thoughts about Kenneth escaping to the Watson Pet Hospital? What do you think about the conversation between Kenneth and By?
End of book:
What is your overall evaluation of The Watson's Go to Birmingham?
Kenneth expected Grandma Sands to look like a troll. What do you think led him to this conclusion? What did he find instead?
Chapter 12:
Kenneth was shocked to see Mrs. Watson react the way she did when having the conversation about Mr. Robert with Grandma Sand. What conclusions do you think Kenneth drew during the conversation?
Chapter 13:
What were your thoughts about Kenneth's experience at Collier Landing?
Chapter 14:
Kenneth describes seeing the Wool Pooh at Joey's church. What do you think he is seeing?
Chapter 15:
What are your thoughts about Kenneth escaping to the Watson Pet Hospital? What do you think about the conversation between Kenneth and By?
End of book:
What is your overall evaluation of The Watson's Go to Birmingham?
Final Week- 3
Hello Ladies!
We are in our final week and the book should be finished. What a great little book it was. I really enjoyed reading it and look forward to reading your comments about it. Let's finish strong this week.
See you all tomorrow!
We are in our final week and the book should be finished. What a great little book it was. I really enjoyed reading it and look forward to reading your comments about it. Let's finish strong this week.
See you all tomorrow!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Summary
In chapters 6-10 we see how yet another poor decision by Byron leads the Watsons to take the trip to Alabama. By decides that he will get his hair straightened evfen though he knows his parents do not approve. By also finds out that he can go to the store and sign for groceries and his parents will have to pay for them so he buys a bunch of cookies. The Watson parents have had enough of By and his mistakes and so they decide he must go to stay with grandma for the summer at least if not longer. The brown bomber is fixed up and outfitted with everything from new tires to a great record player that can be used in the car during the trip. Kenny makes everyone listen to Yakety Yak about a million times. The kids cuddle up in the back seat, sleeping most ofthe time. Momma Watson has the whole trip planned out to a "T" but pappa Watson has other plans. We see how the children and parents become more concerned the further south they get. As we read the Watsons are on the road on their way to Alabama.
Prediction
My predictions for the last five chapters...
1) Dad will get tired of driving and they will have to pull over soon or the mom will do some driving.
2) When the Watsons get to Birmingham the kids will have their first experience with racism.
3) After visiting Grandma Sands for a week Byron will straighten up and come home without having to stay the whole summer.
1) Dad will get tired of driving and they will have to pull over soon or the mom will do some driving.
2) When the Watsons get to Birmingham the kids will have their first experience with racism.
3) After visiting Grandma Sands for a week Byron will straighten up and come home without having to stay the whole summer.
Word Finder
Blanged: (I did not find a definition for this word but using context clues I am assuming it is similar to dang or damn) To swear at; often used to express annoyance, disgust, or surprise (used on page 76 and 109)
Peon: A person held in compulsory servitude to a master for the working out of an indebtedness (used on page 76).
Jive: Slang for phony (used on page 82).
Conk: To straighten out usually hair with the use of chemicals (used on page 87).
Pinnacle: The highest point of development or achievement (used on page 103).
Record Player: An instrument for reproducing sound by means of vibration of a stylus or needle following a spiral groove on a revolving disc or cylinder (used on page 109).
Hillbilly: A person from a backwoods area (used on page 126)
Grapevine: An informal person to person means of circulating information or gossip (used on page 130)
Organ Music: A keyboard instrument in which sets of pipes are sounded by compressed air and produce a variety of timbres (used on page 145).
Peon: A person held in compulsory servitude to a master for the working out of an indebtedness (used on page 76).
Jive: Slang for phony (used on page 82).
Conk: To straighten out usually hair with the use of chemicals (used on page 87).
Pinnacle: The highest point of development or achievement (used on page 103).
Record Player: An instrument for reproducing sound by means of vibration of a stylus or needle following a spiral groove on a revolving disc or cylinder (used on page 109).
Hillbilly: A person from a backwoods area (used on page 126)
Grapevine: An informal person to person means of circulating information or gossip (used on page 130)
Organ Music: A keyboard instrument in which sets of pipes are sounded by compressed air and produce a variety of timbres (used on page 145).
Connector
The road trip stirs up memories of my family going down to Corpus Christi and camping. Doing the potty in the woods was a flashback I dont miss (when you gotta go you gotta go) it does'nt matter where you are, still its nasty. In the scene where Byron credits his "sweedish creames" at Mr. Mitchells I thought about my husbands childhood and how they too would go to the neighborhood store and credit sodas, candy and chips. When the end of the week came his father was livid about the bill.
Additonal Characters
Mr. Mitchell - The neighborhood grocer. Mitchell allows people to take store merchandise on credit. A trustworthy man.
Grandma Sands - Wilona's mother who lives in Alabama. According to Wilona and daddy Watson she's a very strict grandmother.
Mr. Johnson - The Watsons neighbor. He is mechanically inclined and helps Mr. Watson tune up the Brown Bomber.
Mrs. Davidson - The Watsons (Anglo) neighbor who thinks Joey is so cute.
Grandma Sands - Wilona's mother who lives in Alabama. According to Wilona and daddy Watson she's a very strict grandmother.
Mr. Johnson - The Watsons neighbor. He is mechanically inclined and helps Mr. Watson tune up the Brown Bomber.
Mrs. Davidson - The Watsons (Anglo) neighbor who thinks Joey is so cute.
Chapter 6-10 questions
In Chapter 6, Byron killed a bird with an apple, then broke down. What does this say about his character?
In Chapter 7, Byron decided to be Daddy Cool and get his hair straightened, or at least try. How do you feel about the way his parents dealt with the situation?
In Chapter 8, Mr. Watson made the rash decision to get the Ultra-Glide in the Brown Bomber. Why do you think Mrs. Watson got so upset about it?
In Chapter 9, Byron decided that he was going to get back his parents for sending him to Birmingham by not saying one word to them during the trip. What do you think he was aiming to accomplish by this?
In Chapter 10, Mrs. Watson is telling of her detailed plan for their trip. Why do you think that they plan to stay in a hotel in some places, but to sleep at the rest stop in others?
In Chapter 7, Byron decided to be Daddy Cool and get his hair straightened, or at least try. How do you feel about the way his parents dealt with the situation?
In Chapter 8, Mr. Watson made the rash decision to get the Ultra-Glide in the Brown Bomber. Why do you think Mrs. Watson got so upset about it?
In Chapter 9, Byron decided that he was going to get back his parents for sending him to Birmingham by not saying one word to them during the trip. What do you think he was aiming to accomplish by this?
In Chapter 10, Mrs. Watson is telling of her detailed plan for their trip. Why do you think that they plan to stay in a hotel in some places, but to sleep at the rest stop in others?
WEEK 2
Hello ladies! I have printed Week 1 successfully and we are free to begin week 2 discussion. I will be posting Chapter 6-10 questions later today. I am excited to see what Colleen is going to do with the graphics!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
New words
In these first five chapters I haven't found any words that looked unfamiliar. Please let me know if I missed any and I will be happy to look them up.
Predictions
So far we have had 5 chapters all introducing us to the characters and giving us in great detail alot of information about them. The only prediction that I can make at the time is that the family will be taking a trip to Birmingham since the title is "The Watsons Go to Birminghame-1963".
Summary
I have just finished reading the first five chapters of the book and as the summarizer I am going to provide a short summary of what occured in the first five chapters:
In the beginning we meet the wierd Watsons and we find that our book is narrated by the youngest Watson son Kenny. The Watson family consists of the momma (who is from the south), the daddy, oldest brother Byron who is in the sixth grade but should be further along, Narrator and fourth grader Kenny and sister Joetta who is in kindergarten.
The first four chapters are all about the family's life in Flint Michigan and a fair amount of the time is spent "watching" the Watsons live in the cold of Michigan with a momma from the south who is not so keen on the cold temperature around her. The youngest Watsons stay so bundled up they can barely walk and Kenny has to help Joetta out of her clothes at school each morning just like Byron had to do for him when he was in kindergarten.
We get to see how Byron is a bit of a bully, Kenny is smart and bullied, and Joetta tries her best to keep the peace. We meet friends of Byron's and Kenny's and watch how everyone interacts with the wierd Watsons through school and play, through sibling interaction and through momma almost giving Byron the punishment of his life for playing with matches.
In the beginning we meet the wierd Watsons and we find that our book is narrated by the youngest Watson son Kenny. The Watson family consists of the momma (who is from the south), the daddy, oldest brother Byron who is in the sixth grade but should be further along, Narrator and fourth grader Kenny and sister Joetta who is in kindergarten.
The first four chapters are all about the family's life in Flint Michigan and a fair amount of the time is spent "watching" the Watsons live in the cold of Michigan with a momma from the south who is not so keen on the cold temperature around her. The youngest Watsons stay so bundled up they can barely walk and Kenny has to help Joetta out of her clothes at school each morning just like Byron had to do for him when he was in kindergarten.
We get to see how Byron is a bit of a bully, Kenny is smart and bullied, and Joetta tries her best to keep the peace. We meet friends of Byron's and Kenny's and watch how everyone interacts with the wierd Watsons through school and play, through sibling interaction and through momma almost giving Byron the punishment of his life for playing with matches.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Chapter 1-5
Hello ladies! I don't know about you, but I really enjoyed the first 5 chapters of The Watson's Go to Birmingham. I have found several situations in which I could see myself, or that I have even been part of as I am reading the book. I have come up with the following questions for discussion:
- In Chapter 1, C.P. Curtis gives us a description of the family and where they are living. What sort of conclusions can you draw about the family's lifestyle and status?
- In Chapter 2, it has become obvious that Byron is a bully. Describe what a bully is to you. What kind of background do you see bully's having? Compare your description with that of Byron.
- Chapter 3: Peer pressure is easy to get sucked into. How did Kenneth get sucked into it and how could he have handled the situation differently?
- Chapter 4 was a hilarious chapter! What was going through your mind during the scene when Kenneth and Byron went out to clean the windows on the Brown Bomber?
- In Chapter 5, why do you think Mrs. Watson handled the situation with Byron the way she did? How would you have handled it differently if it were you in her shoes?
These are just to get the discussion started. Because I made up the questions, I will be answering last since I already have a set answer to them. I want to see what you guys come up with, so I will post Tuesday evening before printing. Also, let me know what you think of the questions. If you have any that you would like to add, feel free!
The Watson's Go to Birmingham- 1963 Role List
Welcome to TAMUSA DIVAS Book Club!
For the next three weeks we will be discussing The Watson's Go to Birmingham-1963. Our group consists of Tanya, Chrystal, Marivel, and Colleen.
The roles for our club are as follows:
For the next three weeks we will be discussing The Watson's Go to Birmingham-1963. Our group consists of Tanya, Chrystal, Marivel, and Colleen.
The roles for our club are as follows:
- Discussion Director: Tanya
- Summarizer and Graphics: Colleen
- Word Finder and Predictor: Chrystal
- Connector and Character Analyzer: Marivel
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