Rules

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

ACTIVITY 1: “Communication Book”

In this activity, students will create their own communication books, using symbolism to build meaning.

Jason’s communication book gives him an important way to share his voice. It is also a key way Jason and Catherine build their friendship. Create your own communication book. Incorporate symbolism to share your voice. Feel free to include any additional forms of communication to build your ideas (music, sign language, dance, art, math, etc.).

• Present your project.
• Journal about what this activity teaches about the theme of Words Are Important, Though Not the Only Form of Communication.
• Finally, participate in a class discussion about key take-aways.

Teaching Suggestion: Leaving the message of these communication books open could provide options for students about what to express. If it would benefit the class to focus more on the novel for their messages, you might ask students to communicate a theme through their books. This activity starts with the idea of a book like the one Jason uses, but students might expand the traditional definition of a book. Perhaps they present a video, collage, or other medium.

ACTIVITY 2: “Rules”

In this activity, students will reflect on the rules Catherine writes for her brother, choose an audience, and write their own rules.

Catherine writes rules for her brother. They are designed to help him navigate the world and to help her when she is responsible for him. Write at least five rules that would help a specific audience.

• Choose a specific audience: a person you know. Some ideas for audiences: an adult interacting with teenagers, a student just starting middle school, a person who views the world differently, someone who moves to your town. There are so many possibilities. The idea is to view the world through a specific lens.
• Now, focus on that lens. Consider what the person with that lens thinks, feels, and experiences.
• Imagine rules that could help that person navigate the world, maybe adding insight, joy, perspective, ease, etc.
• Write at least five rules.

Journal about how your rules would help your intended audience. Present your project, explaining your audience and reasoning behind your rules.

Teaching Suggestion: Since this assignment includes abstract ideas and open-ended choice, modeling one example could help students. This is an opportunity to remind the class to reflect on perspectives and commonalities rather than stereotypes.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who would benefit from assistance with abstract thinking might use frames and additional specific context. Perhaps the class talks through multiple examples. Students might list understandings about the audience on a chart or web visual students can use as they work. For instance, each student could think of an adult they know. What do they know about that person? What might that adult forget about being a teenager? What rules might help?

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. The sibling relationship between Catherine and David is complex.

• How does the relationship between Catherine and David transform? (topic sentence)
• As you write, include at least three quotations and other details, explaining how each illustrates your analysis.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain how Catherine and David view each other in the final chapter.

2. Characters communicate in rich ways.

• What message does the book build about communication? (topic sentence)
• As you craft your essay, incorporate three or more quotations and additional specifics to build your points.
• In your conclusion, express ways the book’s message about communication applies to real life.

3. Movement complicates and enriches the characters’ lives.

• How is movement important for the characters? (topic sentence)
• Include at least three quotations and additional details as you develop your points.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain what readers can learn about movement.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Reflect on Catherine’s growth as a person. What are some major ways Catherine transforms, and what do these shifts mean for her life? What strengths does Catherine further develop? Where does she make mistakes and demonstrate she has learned from them? Which characters have the greatest impact on her? As you craft your essay, incorporate at least three quoted phrases and other details that strengthen your arguments, citing each with page number.

2. Analyze one of the chapters closely. Consider how the chapter builds one or more of the main themes: Every Soul Is Isolated and Challenged, People Are More Than the Challenges They Face, and Words Are Important, Though Not the Only Form of Communication. What is the significance of the title’s chapter? Where does the rule from the title impact the characters? How is this chapter important in the overall framework of the novel? What lessons do the characters learn, and how could the reader learn from these ideas? As you build your essay, include at least four quotations and additional specifics that illustrate your analysis. Cite each with a page number.

Multiple Choice and Long Answer Questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, exams, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following literary devices does this quotation incorporate?

“Low tide smells mud-black and tangy, but high tide smells clean and salty.” (Chapter 2)

A) Simile

B) Imagery

C) Personification

D) Symbolism

2. How does Catherine feel about water?

A) Catherine dislikes water and tries to avoid it, including the fish tank, swimming pool, and water slides.

B) Catherine notices details in the water and relishes it, including the ocean and the nearby pond.

C) Catherine does not experience water much, so she is slightly fearful of it when she gets near it.

D) Catherine tolerates water because she hopes it will build her relationship with Kristi and Jason.

3. How does Catherine’s relationship with David shift over the course of the novel?

A) Catherine is extremely close to David, then stops speaking to him after the school dance.

B) Catherine keeps David at arm’s length until her mother suggests they read together, and they become close.

C) Catherine feels responsible for David, but one day decides to walk away from that responsibility.

D) Catherine feels overwhelmed trying to help David, but then realizes how important their bond is.

4. Which of the following best describes the importance of the book Frog and Toad to David?

A) David finds the book on the beach and then begins drawing.

B) David lends the book to Jason, helping him learn generosity.

C) David uses words from the book to express himself.

D) David receives the book from his grandmother on a trip.

5. How does Catherine’s imagined relationship with Kristi differ from reality?

A) Catherine visualizes them becoming great friends, but they have many differences and remain more distant.

B) Catherine dreams that she and Kristi will not get along, when in reality, they are immediately inseparable.

C) Catherine pictures the two spending every day at the beach, but Kristi is terrified of water.

D) Catherine envisions movie marathons until she learns Kristi only wants to play soccer or dance.

6. What is the significance of art in the novel?

A) David communicates with his parents through art.

B) Drawing is when Jason feels most free.

C) Catherine expresses herself through art.

D) Painting brings Catherine and her mom closer.

7. What does Catherine wish her parents would do more?

A) Put her first

B) Punish David

C) Forget the rules

D) Engage in art

8. Why does Catherine hide from Kristi at the beach?

A) Catherine does not feel like swimming that day.

B) Catherine wants Kristi to keep babysitting David for the afternoon.

C) Catherine realizes she cannot be friends with Kristi while she dates Ryan.

D) Catherine is not sure how to embrace her friendship with Jason.

9. Which of the following best describes Jason’s mom?

A) Dictatorial and cruel

B) Hilarious and open-minded

C) Timid and withdrawn

D) Caring and protective

10. How is music important in the novel?

A) David finds peace in music, listening to jazz when he gets upset.

B) Jason uses music as a form of expression, playing piano and guitar.

C) Catherine gets a guitar for her birthday and takes lessons from Jason.

D) Catherine’s and David’s parents dance to the same song each morning.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. How does Catherine’s relationship with Jason help her relationship with David?

2. How do the rules Catherine writes for David frame the novel?