Characters
What two ghosts are Sarah friends with?
Jerome Rogers and Emmett Till
Define discrimination:
The unfair treatment of people based on the group they belong to (race, gender, religion etc.).
What was the verdict of the Preliminary Hearing?
There was not enough evidence to take Officer Moore to court for: manslaughter, murder or excessive force.
Why is the quote, "Tell me three good things" repeated throughout the novel?
Potential Responses
-It is Grandma's special number.
-She used to ask Jerome to tell her "three good things" for comfort and support.
-Three represents Grandma, Kim and Jerome. When Jerome passes away, three represents Grandma, Kim and Carlos.
-Additionally, when Jerome wants Sarah to reconnect with her Dad, he asks her "Tell me three good things" to help her understand how to help him change.
What happened to Jerome at the beginning of the novel?
He was shot and killed by a police officer.
Who is Jerome's little sister?
Kim Rogers
What is a synonym for a stereotype?
An assumption or label
What is day of the Dead?
It is a holiday celebrated in Mexican Culture where people honor and celebrate their loved ones that have passed away. People make memory alters with offerings of the deceased favorite things: food, toys, art, pictures to celebrate and remember them.
Read the Quote: After listening to Emmett's story, a character states, “Strange, though, I feel something’s in the air. Like a shift; something I’ve got to do” (page 163).
Who said the quote? What do you think ____________ must do?
-Jerome
-Must talk to Sarah to help her change.
How did Jerome and Carlos become friends?
Jerome ate lunch with Carlos when he was a "new kid" in school. Jerome and Carlos stood up for each other when the bullies (Mike, Eddie and Snap) tried to beat them up in the bathroom.
Who gave Jerome the toy gun?
Carlos
Define segregation:
Separating people based on race.
What must Carlos tell Grandma?
That he gave Jerome the toy gun.
Reread the dialogue from “Silence.”
“See, here are links. This one is about Emmett Till. This one links to articles about you. The video—”
“Stop.” I don't want a link to my death.
“I’m helping you.”
Why is this website important or how is it helping Jerome? Make a connection to the major theme in the book.
The website about Jerome is important because it helps spread awareness about the unjust killings of black boys by police officers. It requires people to bear witness to events like Jerome, Emmett and Tamir Rice to recognize that racial inequality and prejudices are still a problem in our society.
How has Carlos become a brother-figure to Kim?
-He walks her to school.
-Hangs out with her family/ Grandma trusts him
-Celebrated/ introduced Day of the Dead with the Rodger family
Who always asks Jerome to tell her "three good things" to help comfort her?
Grandma
Define prejudice:
To judge someone before you know them.
After observing the Preliminary Hearing and video footage of Jerome's death, name two ways Officer Moore and his partner failed Jerome/failed to properly do their job.
-Failed to announce themselves, "Police, stop!"
-Did not render or offer medical aid
Unpack the quote: "Bear witness. My Tale is told. Wake. Only the living can make the world better. Live and make it better” (203).
Why is this quote significant? Why is Jerome saying this in the last chapter?
Jerome is speaking directly to the audience and telling them that they must work to make change- only people who are living can make the world a better, safer and more equal place.
Like how Emmett visited Thurgood Marshall and Jerome visited Sarah as a ghost, the audience is visited by "ghost boy" in the last chapter and is telling the living (audience) it is their turn to fight for justice and change.
What happened to Emmett Till?
-He was kidnapped and brutally killed by two racist men. His images helped spark the Civil Rights Movement when people witnessed the images of his mutilated body.
Name the three bullies that fought with Jerome and Carlos?
Mike, Eddie and Snap
Define implicit bias:
When our brains make a judgment or association unconsciously/ unintentionally.
Name two ways that Sarah has changed:
Potential Responses:
1. Created a website to help spread awareness about racial injustice.
2. Spoke with her dad (upon Jerome's request and encouragement) and asked him to support her project to help promote change/ fight against racial injustice
3. Sent a book to Kim to stay connected with Jerome's family/ help.
4. When she grows up, she becomes an activist/ protests for change
Look in the Chapter 30, "That Day" pages 195-198 and identify an example of figurative language.
Onomatopoeia "Pow"
Hyperbole, personification: "Pain slams me"
Hyperbole: "Two fire sticks are inside me"
(use your judgement)
Who is Jerome's character based on in real life? Name two ways they are similar.
Potential Answers:
-Tamir Rice
-Both black boys killed by a police officer.
-Police failed to announce themselves.
-Shot from inside the police cruiser.
-Stated that they "feared for their life"
-The police officers had shifting stories
-Both officers were not found criminally at fault for their deaths.