section 1 P360-363
What conclusions can you draw so far about Michael?P360
has lots of energy and a curiosity different from his brothers' and sisters'
Have students scan the text on p. 367 and find one fact and oneopinion.
Sample answers: He began to grow taller is a specific detail that can be proved; hanging on the swing set must have helped is an opinion because whether it helped or not cannot be proved.
Which facts support the opinion that "Michael started to live and breathe basketball"?
Sample answers: He only wanted to playbasketball; he gave up baseball.
Which part of "outjumped the master" is an opinion and which part is fact?
Outjumped is a fact; the master is an opinion.
Have students read the last paragraph on p. 360, noting places where nearby words start with the same sound.
children, chores;
boundless bustle; bounced, bungalow, bounciest
Is this a biography or autobiography? How can you tell?
biography, because the text uses he, his, and him. For this to be an autobiography, who would have to tell the story? Michael himself, using words such as I and me.
Which words does the author use to help you visualize howMichael was teased?
Hey, Ears, open your eyes; " little boy "
Point out places where the author uses alliteration to make his writing more interesting and fun to read.
p. 365: basketball better, daybreak to day's end;
p. 368: less and less of Larry, more and more Michael
p. 369: dribbled it down, tack tar;
p. 373: Larry leaped;
p. 374: beaten his brother, the best
Which word makes the following phrase from the story anopinion-Larry was bigger, quicker, and luckier?
Luckier; you can measure to find out if someone is bigger or quicker, but you can 't measure luck.
What conclusions can you draw about Michael from what you have read about him so far?
Sample answers: He is determined to be a great basketball player; he doesn 't give up; he works and practices hard to make his dream come true; he is getting better and better.