Who said it?
“I don’t know,” I said with a shrug. My heart sank. I went into my room and started on my homework."
Chris
What can you infer about the following quote from the short story?
"He was there. He sat in the stands and watched us go through our drills and a minigame. I was so nervous, I couldn’t do anything right. I couldn’t catch the ball at all..."
- Chris is happy and surprised that his dad showed up to his minigame.
- Chris is nervous to play wheelchair basketball in front of his father.
Who introduced Chris to wheelchair basketball?
Mr. Evans
Fiction that is set in the real world. The characters, setting, problems, and solutions are all believable.
Realistic Fiction
Physical traits or personality traits
Character Qualities/Traits
“Jim, if you were in a wheelchair,” ... asked, “do you think you could play as well as Chris?”
Chris' Mom
What can you infer about the following quote from the short story?
"I hadn’t told any of the kids about my father coming to practice. I wasn’t even sure he was going to show up. He had made promises before and then gotten called away to work. This time he had said he was coming to practice, which was at 2:30, in the middle of his day." (par. 30)
- Chris doubts his father will show up to practice since he normally ends up bailing on him.
- Chris' father works a lot and tends to break his promises.
How does Chris' father resolve his internal conflict?
He helps coach Chris' wheelchair basketball team. By doing so, he realizes that the sport requires more skill and practice than he originally thought. He gains more respect for the sport and grows closer to his son.
A thing that is granted, especially in response to demands; a thing conceded.
Concession
An instance of one moving object or person striking violently against another.
Collision
“I heard the kids saying they were great. They’re okay, but they’re not great. I’m going to talk to him again at practice tomorrow.”
Jim Blair/Chris' Dad
What motivates Chris to join the wheelchair basketball team?
- He wants to impress his father; he wants to make him proud.
- He likes basketball.
Why did Chris’ dad call Mr. Evans in paragraphs 25-29?
He wanted to help the kids get better at basketball.
A loss of possession of the ball.
Turnover
A situation in which something is too blocked or crowded.
Congestion
"Your dad's a giant!"
Kwame
What can you infer about the meaning of the word "push" in the title?
The push might refer to the wheelchair or it can mean that both Chris and his dad need a "push" and encouragement to strengthen their relationship.
What was the advice Chris' dad gave the team?
Shoot off the backboard.
An essential rule or principle on which something is based.
Fundamental
Lacking in quality or quantity; insufficient.
Inadequate
“Just something about you guys going to play Madison in a practice game and they haven’t lost all season."
Sarah
Why is it harder for Chris' dad to accept Chris' new life, compared to Chris and his mom?
- He wanted Chris to play basketball like him and is disappointed that his dream won't come true.
- He feels guilty and finds it hard to forgive himself.
What causes Chris' dad to change his opinion about wheelchair basketball?
- Eventually, he realizes that wheelchair basketball is the only kind of basketball Chris can play.
- His opinion of the game changes when he sits in the chair and has to aim for the basket. He understands that the sport requires skill and practice.
The state of being strikingly different from something else.
Contrast
To communicate with or react to another.
Interact