Family And Departure
Why does Hà’s family decide to leave Vietnam?
They leave because of fear for safety (the war) /political changes (Communism).
Describe the hygiene and space conditions on the refugee boat.
Salt Water Showers/Baths/Scrubs, Bathroom off boat behind a curtain, cramped sleeping spaces.
Why did the family choose to move to America instead of other options?
Another refugee behind her said to go there because of college and future opportunities.
Why won’t Mother let Hà ride a bike to school?
She is too "young."
What is a stanza?
A group of lines like a paragraph
Who in the Hà family is most eager to leave, and who resists?
Ha: Doesn't Want To Leave
Mother: She is inbetween
Khoi: Wants To Stay To Hope For Fathers Return
Vu: Wants To Leave To Be Closer To Bruce Lee
Quang: Wants To Stay To Fight
What did the American ship give the refugees when they were rescued?
Food and water, lots of it!
What change did Mother make to get more sponsors' attention?
She changed the family's religion to Christianity to appeal to Americans more.
How did Miss Scott or another teacher make Hà feel unintelligent? Give one example.
Assume her name is laughing
Makes her recite the alphabet and numbers in front of the whole class (then makes the class clap)
At first didn't believe she could solve a math problem
What is a line break used for?
Where a line ends; can create pauses (end-stop) or carry a thought over.
What personal item does Mother burn before they leave?
Photos
How did the family ration food after missing the rescue in Thailand?
Half a clump of food only in the morning and night, one cup of water all day.
What do sponsors receive from the government for helping refugees?
Money Money Money
What three things did kids do to Ha’s family’s home to bully them?
Brick in the window
TP on the trees
Eggs thrown
What is rhyme?
A word that sounds similar to another often at the end of a line.
What worry does Mother have if they did not leave?
Which brother was the first to learn English?
Quang!
Describe the “cowboy” sponsor — why does Hà think he is a cowboy, and what did he provide?
Big guy who wears a cowboy hat, Ha immediately assumes he has a horse she can ride.
How did Miss Washington help Hà feel more comfortable at lunch?
Makes her lunch and lets her eat in Miss Scott's room.
What is a rhyme scheme?
The ordered pattern of rhymes
Name Father’s navy friend and describe his role in the family’s departure.
Uncle Son is his name, and he helps them get onto a Navy boat to escape.
How much food was given per person (why specifically different by person) and how many weeks of rations they had.
Beginning of travel: One clump of rice and one cup of water 3 times a day. Amount differs by height.
Near the end of travel: Half a clump of rice 2 times a day and one cup of water all day.
Three weeks of food rations
What three places did Mother consider living in?
Canada, America, and France (Paris)
Explain one way Hà used words to defend herself instead of fighting physically; include a short quote or paraphrase.
Uses nicknames like "Pink Boy"
Uses the same insult back like "Gee-sus"
Given this short stanza, label its rhyme scheme —
The night hid tears beneath its light
My sister hummed until our flight
The sea kept secrets, cold and deep
We whispered promises we'd keep
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