The X-Ray Deal
Caveman's Daydream
Don't Laugh at Dreams
Whose Fault Is It?
Zero's Answer
100
In Chapter 11, X-Ray asks Stanley to do this with anything else he finds while digging.
What is give it to X-Ray?
100
In Stanley's daydream, these two Group D boys defend him by attacking Derrick Dunne.
Who are Squid and Armpit?
100
When X-Ray laughs at Magnet's wish to train monkeys for the movies, Mr. Pendanski does this.
What is tell him 'Rex' not to laugh, because 'we don't laugh at people's dreams'?
100
Asked who is responsible for his being at camp, Stanley gives this answer, which gets a big laugh.
What is his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather?
100
After Mr. Pendanski asks what he likes to do, Zero gives this short answer.
What is 'I like to dig holes'?
200
Stanley agrees to hand over his finds, giving up a shot at a day off, because he decides this matters more for surviving Camp Green Lake.
What is X-Ray thinking he's a good guy?
200
Stanley replays the Derrick Dunne scene over and over in his mind for this reason.
What is to help him keep digging and ease his own suffering?
200
Mr. Pendanski runs the circle discussion about Magnet's future because he believes this about the boys' lives after camp.
What is that they need goals or they'll end up right back in jail?
200
Mr. Pendanski says the real answer is Stanley himself because he wants the boys to accept this.
What is responsibility for their own lives? 'It's up to you to fix it.'
200
Zero's smile vanishes and he glares, then answers this way, right after Mr. Pendanski says this to him.
What is 'You're not completely worthless'? (Why he answers as he does is an inference; the text doesn't say.)
300
Smart or not? Stanley's decision to let X-Ray have anything he finds.
What is mostly smart? He expects to find nothing anyway and gains the leader's goodwill. (Counterpoint: X-Ray's 'bad eyesight' and 'only fair' pitch is self-serving, and Stanley just says 'I guess'.)
300
Smart or useful? Stanley's habit of daydreaming about his new friends beating up Derrick.
What is useful in the short term (it gets him through the hole) but limited? It's a fantasy that changes nothing about how he'd handle a bully himself.
300
Kind or useful? Mr. Pendanski defending Magnet's dream.
What is kind and mostly useful? He shields Magnet from mockery and pushes him to set a goal. (Caveat: his own insults to Caveman and Zero minutes later undercut the message.)
300
Right or useful? Mr. Pendanski's claim that Stanley is the reason he's at Camp Green Lake.
What is partly? Owning your choices is useful. But it's delivered sarcastically to a new kid, and it brushes aside whatever circumstances put each boy there.
300
Smart or not? Zero's reply to Mr. Pendanski.
What is arguably smart? It answers the question literally, gives Pendanski nothing to punish, and refuses him the reaction he wants.
400
Compare Stanley's reason for going along with X-Ray to a time you went along with someone to fit in. What is the same and what is different?
What is any thoughtful comparison? Sample: same, he gives up something small to be accepted and stay safe; different, he's new, X-Ray controls the group, and the 'cost' is a day off (check what was at stake in the student's example).
400
Compare how Stanley is treated at school with how he is treated by Group D at camp.
What is: at school bullies like Derrick Dunne pick on him; at camp he gets a nickname and acceptance, even though camp is the harsher place? Strong answers note the irony.
400
Compare how Mr. Pendanski treats Magnet's dream with how he treats Zero and Caveman later in the same scene.
What is: with Magnet he protects the dream ('we don't laugh at people's dreams'), but he mocks Caveman and tells Zero he's 'not completely worthless'? His words and his own behavior don't match.
400
Compare Mr. Pendanski's 'it's up to you' message with advice a teacher, parent, or coach once gave you. How are they alike and different?
What is any thoughtful comparison? Look for the shared idea (take ownership) and a real difference (tone, trust, who has power over whom).
400
Compare how Stanley and Zero each answer Mr. Pendanski's questions. What is different about the tone and what happens next?
What is: Stanley jokes about his great-great-grandfather and the boys howl with laughter; Zero answers flatly, the smile is gone, and the room goes tense? Both give answers that surprise Pendanski, with opposite effects.
500
Create: write two or three lines of dialogue for a different way Stanley could answer X-Ray that protects his chance at a day off without losing X-Ray's respect.
What is any original reply that keeps both goals? Sample: 'If I find something, I'll show you first, but the day off is only fair if it's real.' Judge it on whether it is new, fits both characters, and solves the problem.
500
Create: invent a different daydream Stanley could use to get through digging a hole, one where no one gets hurt. Describe it in two or three sentences.
What is any original daydream that eases his suffering without violence? Judge it on whether it is new, fits Stanley's situation, and still gives him comfort or a sense of power.
500
Create: invent a way for Mr. Pendanski to ask Zero about his future that would be more likely to get a real answer.
What is any respectful, original approach? Sample: ask what he's good at or what he'd do with a free day, with no insult attached. Judge it on whether it is new and would make Zero feel safe to answer.
500
Create: write a short message Mr. Pendanski could give Stanley that holds him responsible for his choices without sounding sarcastic or harsh.
What is any original message that keeps the accountability and drops the sarcasm? Sample: 'You can't change what happened before you got here, but what you do next is yours.'
500
Create: imagine Zero answered honestly and without anger. Write what he might say about what he wants to do with his life.
What is any original answer in Zero's voice? The text gives no real answer, so judge it on whether it is new, fits his quiet, guarded character, and could follow 'I like to dig holes.'
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