Superstitions
About the Author
Provide at least 5 facts about the author and identify how the story relates to their personl life, include an image
- Mary La Chapelle was born April 28, 1955
- Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- She graduated from the University of Minnesota
- She now teaches at Sarah Lawrence College
- She has won both the 1986 PEN/Nelson Algren Fiction Award 1988 Writing Writers' Award
Prereading Reflection:
What does it mean to be superstitious? Give an example.
Being superstitious means to believe in paranormal acts or to believe that certain things we do can change our luck. For example, people believe horse shoes are lucky.
Do you consider yourself superstitious?
Yes, I believe in a few superstitions, but not all. It's probably just OCD.
If yes, what are some superstitions you have, and why do you think you have them?
I believe that if I step in the direct center of something it is bad luck, if the volume in not and even number or ends with 5, it's bad luck, and that if I don't do the same thing on both sides, it's unlucky. Also, I believe that the amount of ravens or crows that you see in the same place determines a specific thing in your fate such as to see one raven or crow, it means bad luck.
If no, why do you think you are not superstitious?
I do not believe in any other superstitions besides the one I listed. I believe in science.
Why do you think people develop superstitions?
People create superstitions to blame their bad luck or ill ends on something.
Vocabulary:
Define each term as it is used in the context of the story, provide a quote
Theorized:
To form a theory about something
"He theorized that little kids who got in from the top of and out from the top never had to make their beds (page 42)".
Apprehensive:
Cautious about preceding
"She was apprehensive as she brushed on toward the attic...(page 42)"
Compelled:
Feeling obliged to do something
"It was something she had begun, and now she was compelled to continue (page
Persistent:
Continuing stubbornly
"The sun was warm and persistent with promises to shine over everything by noon (page 54)".
Precautions:
Measure taken cautiously in advance to prevent danger
"She was aware of certain precautions, like not looking into the sun for too long (page 54)".
Perceived:
Become aware or interpret something
"After waiting for what she perceived as a stubborn enough amount of time, she stood up and followed him (page 56)".
Anguish
Mental or physical pain
Contrasting Ideas:
Provide at least 5 examples from the text to support each
Frances Feels Strong:
She compares her own physical strength with Timmy's
She compares her healthier-looking skin to Timmy's
Frances feels strong when she gr bs her brother and stops him from stepping on the cracks
Frances compares how much bigger she is than her brother
She saves him from falling just in time
Frances Feels Weak:
She compares her lack of bravery to Timmy's bravery
She worries that her brother may get hurt
She feels weak when her mom controls her
She feels weak when she thinks that she couldn't save Timmy
She feels weak when Timmy feels scared
Provide at least 5 facts about the author and identify how the story relates to their personl life, include an image
- Mary La Chapelle was born April 28, 1955
- Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- She graduated from the University of Minnesota
- She now teaches at Sarah Lawrence College
- She has won both the 1986 PEN/Nelson Algren Fiction Award 1988 Writing Writers' Award
Prereading Reflection:
What does it mean to be superstitious? Give an example.
Being superstitious means to believe in paranormal acts or to believe that certain things we do can change our luck. For example, people believe horse shoes are lucky.
Do you consider yourself superstitious?
Yes, I believe in a few superstitions, but not all. It's probably just OCD.
If yes, what are some superstitions you have, and why do you think you have them?
I believe that if I step in the direct center of something it is bad luck, if the volume in not and even number or ends with 5, it's bad luck, and that if I don't do the same thing on both sides, it's unlucky. Also, I believe that the amount of ravens or crows that you see in the same place determines a specific thing in your fate such as to see one raven or crow, it means bad luck.
If no, why do you think you are not superstitious?
I do not believe in any other superstitions besides the one I listed. I believe in science.
Why do you think people develop superstitions?
People create superstitions to blame their bad luck or ill ends on something.
Vocabulary:
Define each term as it is used in the context of the story, provide a quote
Theorized:
To form a theory about something
"He theorized that little kids who got in from the top of and out from the top never had to make their beds (page 42)".
Apprehensive:
Cautious about preceding
"She was apprehensive as she brushed on toward the attic...(page 42)"
Compelled:
Feeling obliged to do something
"It was something she had begun, and now she was compelled to continue (page
Persistent:
Continuing stubbornly
"The sun was warm and persistent with promises to shine over everything by noon (page 54)".
Precautions:
Measure taken cautiously in advance to prevent danger
"She was aware of certain precautions, like not looking into the sun for too long (page 54)".
Perceived:
Become aware or interpret something
"After waiting for what she perceived as a stubborn enough amount of time, she stood up and followed him (page 56)".
Anguish
Mental or physical pain
Contrasting Ideas:
Provide at least 5 examples from the text to support each
Frances Feels Strong:
She compares her own physical strength with Timmy's
She compares her healthier-looking skin to Timmy's
Frances feels strong when she gr bs her brother and stops him from stepping on the cracks
Frances compares how much bigger she is than her brother
She saves him from falling just in time
Frances Feels Weak:
She compares her lack of bravery to Timmy's bravery
She worries that her brother may get hurt
She feels weak when her mom controls her
She feels weak when she thinks that she couldn't save Timmy
She feels weak when Timmy feels scared