Study Guide for Crazy Horse, Athletic Shorts and Stotan.  Though they are no longer posted at HarperCollins, email This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it for a pdf of this guide.

Click this brochure image for the PDF. Or email This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it if you'd like a copy via the good, old fashioned mail.

More classroom help with CC books....  

STOTAN!

Anticipation Guide for
Chris Crutcher's STOTAN!
by Sinead Waters Turner
KidReach Reading Center

Circle "False" if you feel the statement is incorrect. Circle "True" if you feel the statement is correct.

1. High school students should put sports over academics.
True or False

2. Long hours and strenuous workouts are too much to ask from highschool age students.
True or False

3. All people are equal, regardless of race, sex, or beliefs.
True or False

4. People who publish racist or Anti-Semitic (Anti-Jew) literatureshould be put in jail.
True or False

5. Girls should be able to "fit in" with a group of boys.
True or False

6. If you are dating someone, even thinking about someone else is cheating.
True or False

7. You should not date someone several years older than you.
True or False

8. If you like one of your friends you should date them and risklosing your friendship if it doesn't work out.
True or False

9. There should be more money given to find a cure for leukemia.
True or False

10. The cycle of abuse is unbreakable.
True or False

Now, please take a few moments and give your opinion on the following questions. Answer each with a paragraph or so.

1. Do you think the everyone who is abused will eventually become someonewho abuses other people?

2. Do you think that any one kind of person is better than any other onejust because of their sex or race? Why or why not?

The following are questions regarding word recognition and comprehensionwhen using the anticipation guides. The questions should be asked beforeand after reading the story.

1. What words are the most difficult to pronounce in the story? (Listthe words and look for similarities in the words. For example, list wordswith the "ide" spelling pattern).

2. What do you do when you come to a difficult word to pronounce when youare reading? (Share strategies and suggestions for word recognition).

3. What strategy do you use to help you understand what you are reading?
 

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THE CRAZY HORSE ELECTRIC GAME

Bookrags Study Guide (for a fee)
http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-crazyhorse/

The Gale Group downloadable study guide $3.95
http://books.reviewindex.com/reviews/B00006G3LU.html  OR
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006G3LU/onthewebcom-20/002-2403920-6088018

CRAZY HORSE Trackstar #131171
by Linda Loder
http://trackstar.4teachers.org/trackstar/ts/viewTrack.do?number=131178
or
index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=2&Itemid=64&sub=item&wrtid=1873&isedit=1&func=excerpt

CHINESE HANDCUFFS

Anticipation Guide for
Chris Crutcher's CHINESE HANDCUFFS
by Sinead Waters Turner
KidReach Reading Center

Circle "False" if you feel the statement is incorrect. Circle "True" if you feel the statement is correct.

1. All drugs are bad.
True or False

2. It's ok to do some drugs but only every now and then.
True or False

3. All gang members are dangerous.
True or False

4. It should be against the law to date someone from another race.
True or False

5. You should never date someone your parents don't like.
True or False

6. Teenagers should not have sex.
True or False

7. If they do have sex and then get pregnant, they shouldn't keep the baby.
True or False

8. Pregnant girls shouldn't be allowed to go to school with other students.
True or False

9. You should stop caring about someone if they try to kill themselves because they obviously don't care about you.
True or False

10. Sometimes the only way to deal with things is to write about them.
True or False

Now, please take a few moments and give your opinion on the following questions. Answer each with a paragraph or so.

1. Have you ever known someone who tried to kill themselves? How did that make you feel?

The following are questions regarding word recognition and comprehension when using the anticipation guides. The questions should be asked before and after reading the story.

1. What words are the most difficult to pronounce in the story? (List the words and look for similarities in the words. For example, list words with the "ide" spelling pattern).

2. What do you do when you come to a difficult word to pronounce when you are reading? (Share strategies and suggestions for word recognition).

3. What strategy do you use to help you understand what you are reading?

Activities for
Chris Crutcher's CHINESE HANDCUFFS
by Sinead Waters Turner
KidReach Reading Center

Activity One

Divide into groups to research the following topics: suicide, teen pregnancy, and drug usage and overdose. As a group, prepare a written report and then present this information to the class.

SCANS objectives

Students will:

--- allocate time, money, materials, space, and staff

--- work on teams

--- teach others

--- serve customers

--- demonstrate leadership ability

--- negotiate effectively

--- work well with people from diverse backgrounds

--- acquire and evaluate data

--- interpret and communicate information

--- use computers to process information

--- apply technology to specific tasks

--- possess good reading, writing, speaking, listening, computation skills

--- think creatively

--- make decisions

--- demonstrate individual responsibility, self-esteem, sociability, self-management, and integrity

Activity Two

Have you ever lost someone close to you? Were there unresolved feelings with those people? Begin writing a journal or letters to that person.

SCANS objectives

Students will:

--- teach others

--- interpret and communicate information

--- use computers to process information

--- understand social, organizational, and technological systems

--- possess good reading, writing, speaking, listening, computation skills

--- think creatively

--- make decisions

--- solve problems

--- know how to learn and reason

--- demonstrate individual responsibility, self-esteem, sociability, self-management, and integrity

Activity Three

Research the cost of living in your area. Find out the average income for a single parent aged 14 - 20 in your area. What type of work do these parents do? What percentage is still in school (either high school, college, or technical school)? What percentage plans to graduate on time? What assistance do they receive--familial, government, etc.? Do at least three interviews each to compile this information.

SCANS objectives

Students will:

--- allocate time, money, materials, space, and staff

--- work on teams

--- teach others

--- demonstrate leadership ability

--- negotiate effectively

--- work well with people from diverse backgrounds

--- acquire and evaluate data

--- organize and maintain files

--- interpret and communicate information

--- select equipment and tools

--- apply technology to specific tasks

--- possess good reading, writing, speaking, listening, computation skills

--- think creatively

--- make decisions

--- solve problems

--- know how to learn and reason

--- demonstrate individual responsibility, self-esteem, sociability, self-management, and integrity  

BookHooks
http://www.bookhooks.com/detailed.cfm?Report_number=1753

ATHLETIC SHORTS

Teaching Rationale For Athletic Shorts
School: Gwinnett County School Systems
Teacher: Megan Ridley

Work: Chris Crutcher. Athletic Shorts.

Grade or Course: Ninth Grade English 

Ways in which the book is especially appropriate for the students in this class:

This book is made up of several short stories that are very humorous. Athletic Shorts also provides students with different stories about kids trying to fit into their school and the mistakes made along the way. This book is especially appropriate for this age group to help them feel that they are not alone.

Ways in which the book is especially pertinent to the objectives of the course or unit:

This book coincides with Weetzie Bat, Sisters, and Is That Really Me in the Mirror? Besides students practicing better reading skills, this book helps teens to see the humor in the desperate attempts the characters in Athletic Shorts, and as high school students themselves, make to fit in.

Problems that might arise in relation to the book, and some of the planned activities, which handle this problem:

Problems that might arise are some of the stories deal with serious subjects. Although I do not see the particular issues being a problem, I would have the students right responses to the problems the teens face in the book. As a class we would have an open-discussion as well.

Some other appropriate books an individual might read in place of this book:

Sisters, Weetzie Bat, Is That Really Me In The Mirror

Brief Summary of the Book:

Athletic Shorts is a book made up of six short stories. All stories pertain to different problems that arise in teen's lives. The major humiliations that a teenager can be labeled for are discussed including obesity, death, bulimia, and drugs are only a few.

Athletic Shorts Trackstar #213488
by Myra Guidry
http://trackstar.4teachers.org/trackstar/ts/viewTrack.do?number=213488
or
index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=2&Itemid=64&sub=item&wrtid=1872&isedit=1&func=excerpt

			Maine Sampler, Part II Athletic Shorts by Chris Crutcher
Greenwillow, 1991 Summary: Although all of the heroes and heroines in this collection of short stories are athletes, they face their greatest challenges coping with family problems, the death of loved ones, prejudice, and discrimination. Level: RL: 6 IL: 7-12 Themes: self-esteem family relationships prejudice and discrimination death and dying Activities: 1a. Compare/contrast the families in "A Brief Moment in the Life of Angus Bethune", "The Pin", "Goin' Fishin'", and "Telephone Man." Some terms used to describe families include the following adjectives: traditional, unconventional, and dysfunctional. First define these terms. Which term or terms apply to the families in these stories? Justify your response by giving examples from the story. [Thinking Skills: knowledge, comprehension, analysis/Information Skills: location, application] 1b. In your opinion, what is a good parent? Interview 5 adults and 5 students, asking them their opinion of the subject. Adults might include your guidance counselor, a member of the clergy, teachers, and your parents. From your research, create a list of characteristics of a good parent. Evaluate the parents in these stories using these characteristics. [Thinking Skills: analysis, synthesis, evaluation/Information Skills: gathering data, interpreting, applying] 2a. Why does Chris Byers become a wrestler? Why does she want to quit? 2b. Title IX helped to end sex discrimination is school sports. What is Title IX? How did it change school sports programs? To answer these questions, you might interview the athletic director, principal, and/or coaches at your school. [Thinking Skills: knowledge, comprehension/Information Skills: gathering and interpreting data] 2c. Some athletes argue that there is still discrimination of females in school and professional sports. Gather information on both sides of this issue. Then debate the topic in one of your classes. [Thinking Skills: knowledge, comprehension, evaluation/Information Skills: location, interpretation, application] 3a. "Telephone Man" and "In the Time I Get" deal with prejudice and discrimination. What is the cause of Telephone Man's racial prejudice? Will he ever be able to overcome this prejudice? Locate passages in the story to support your opinion. In his preface, the author says, I have fears in writing a story about racism. In fact, there are a significant number of people who ... believe when I use the word "nigger" or "spic" or any other of a million slurs, I am condoning the use of those words. They think kids should not be exposed in print to what they are exposed to in their lives. In your opinion, should racial and ethnic slurs be removed from Crutcher's story? Defend your position by giving specific reasons. Red about the controversy over the use of racial slurs and stereotypes in Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn. What reasons do people give for banning this book from school classrooms and libraries? Do you agree or disagree with their position. Write an essay defending your view of this controversial issue. [Thinking Skills: knowledge, comprehension, evaluation/Information Skills: location, interpretation, application] 3b. In his preface, Chris Crutcher says that Louie Banks must face the challenge of confronting his own bigotry. Define bigotry by looking it up in an unabridged dictionary. What choice must Louie Banks make? What consequences must he experience as a result of his choice? Explain why you approve or disapprove of his actions. [Thinking Skills: knowledge, comprehension, evaluation/Information Skills: location] 3c. What types of prejudice exist in your school or community? Role-play situations where students confront different types of prejudice. What solutions to the problem do these dramatizations suggest? [Thinking Skills: analysis, synthesis, evaluation/Information Skills: observation, application, interpretation] 4. In "Goin' Fishin'" and "In the Time I Get," teenagers cope with the death of a friend or family member. Describe how Lionel Serbousek and Louie Banks react to the death of someone close. Read about the stages of grieving. (See the citation for Death and Dying in the Resource section of this guide.) Has Lionel Serbousek experienced each of these stages? Support your answer with passages from the text. Predict how Louie Banks will react to Darren's death. [Thinking Skills: knowledge, comprehension, application/Information Skills: location, interpretation, application] Works by Chris Crutcher with Characters Featured in Athletic Shorts The Crazy Horse Electric Game, Greenwillow, 1987. Willie Weaver is injured in a water-skiing accident and must learn to cope with brain damage. Telephone Man is one of the characters in this novel. Running Loose, Greenwillow, 1983. Football player Louie Banks, hero of "In the Time I Get," confronts racial bigotry when his coach orders an illegal hit on a black player from the opposing team. Books about Death and Dying Kerr, M. E. Night Kites. Harper and Row/Charlotte Zolotow Books, 1986. When he learns his older brother Pete is dying of AIDS, Erick faces difficult choices. A good companion for In the Time I Get. Mazer, Norma Fox. When We First Met. Scholastic/Point, 1985. When Jenny's sister Gail is killed by a drunk driver, the family has problems coping - especially when Jenny falls in love with Rob, the son of the drunken driver who killed his sister. A good Companion for "In the Time I Get." Richter, Elizabeth. Losing Someone You Love: When a Brother or Sister Dies, G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1986. This nonfiction book contains interviews with teenagers dealing with the death of a brother or sister. Another good companion for "Goin' Fishin'". Knox, Jean. Death and Dying. Chelsea House, 1989. This nonfiction book discusses how people have viewed death through the ages. It also presents a number of issues associated with death and dying. Chapter 5 contains a section on the stages of grief. Family Relationships Husted, Darrell. A Perfect Family. British American, 1988. This portrait of a dysfunctional family with its violent consequences is a possible companion for "The Pin." Voigt, Cynthia. The Runner. Atheneum, 1985. Bullet Tillerman is a cross-country runner. But most of the time he runs from his father's autocratic will. Another companion for "The Pin." Prejudice and Discrimination Hammer, Trudy J. Taking a Stand Against Sexism and Sex Discrimination. Franklin-Watts, 1990. This book includes material on discrimination in athletics the work place, and the justice system. For Teachers and Library Media Specialists Bushman, John H. and Kay Parks. "Coping with Harsh Realities: The Novels of Chris Crutcher." English Journal (March 1992), 82-84. Prepared by Marilyn Joyce, Sterns High School, Millincocket Prepared by Marilyn Joyce, Sterns High School, Millincocket Prepared by Marilyn Joyce, Sterns High School, Millincocket

STAYING FAT FOR SARAH BYRNES

Antonette Minnitti's EXCELLLENT Study Packet
http://www.fhs.d211.org/departments/english/aminniti/E201/Staying%20Fat/Staying%20Fat%20Study%20Guide.doc

KidReach Lesson Plan
Anticipation Guide for
Chris Crutcher's STAYING FAT FOR SARAH BYRNES

by Sinead Waters Turner
KidReach Reading Center

Circle "False" if you feel the statement is incorrect. Circle "True" if you feel the statement is correct.

1. Children are too mean to each other.
True or False

2. No one should ever be made to feel like an outcast.
True or False

3. The justice system in the United States is too easy on child abusers.
True or False

4. Fat people shouldn't try to "fit in" with other students.
True or False

5. Bullies shouldn't be allowed to attend school with other children.
True or False

6. Students should be allowed to publish a newspaper saying whatever they want to say.
True or False

7. There should be a required class in every high school that discusses contemporary issues.
True or False

8. Teachers should be held responsible for their actions, even if they are trying to protect a student.
True or False

9. People should do whatever they have to do to protect their friends.
True or False

10. Everyone can change over time--even bullies.
True or False

The following are questions regarding word recognition and comprehension when using the anticipation guides. The questions should be asked before and after reading the story.

1. What words are the most difficult to pronounce in the story? (List the words and look for similarities in the words. For example, list words with the "ide" spelling pattern).

2. What do you do when you come to a difficult word to pronounce when you are reading? (Share strategies and suggestions for word recognition).

3. What strategy do you use to help you understand what you are reading?

Lesson Plan for Chris Crutcher's STAYING FAT FOR SARAH BYRNES
by Kim Hamilton and Molly Brotherton
KidReach Reading Center

Design a practice regiment for a favorite sport.

Have the students participate in trust games.

Students keep a journal--such as Sarah's letter/journal to Moby.
Write an essay on trust.

Conduct critical thinking activity found here

Create a class/school newspaper with appropriate and accurate stories.

Have students listen to music mentioned in the story or similar tunes.
Make a concept map of characters.

Have students identify and discuss conflicts (i.e., person against self, person, society, and nature).

Multnomah County Library Discussion Guide
http://www.multcolib.org/talk/guides-stayingfat.html
or
HERE.

IRONMAN

Reading Group Guide

Mary Mahoney's Discussion Guide (2004)    
http://www.masconomet.org/teachers/kbarbalunga/Ironman/main.html
or
index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=2&Itemid=64&sub=item&wrtid=1877&isedit=1&func=excerpt

Jaime Bullo's WWU Discussion Guide   
Because the guide is no longer available via the web, we have posted it here on CC's website. We hope Ms. Bullo and WWU don't mind.  Click HERE.

WHALE TALK

NEW!  Central Catholic High School (Toledo, OH)
Whale Talk Teaching Guide PDF

Scott County Library Discussion Guide 
http://www.scott.lib.mn.us/whale.html
or
HERE.

Whale Talk Summer Study Guide  Link not working!
Click HERE

Whale Talk Discussion Guide Questions 
http://www.writinglife.org/eci5212002/_disc5/00000078.htm
or
index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=2&Itemid=64&sub=item&wrtid=1878&isedit=1&func=excerpt

Whale Talk Comprehension Quiz 
http://www.tomatotreedesigns.com/teacher/novels/whale/whale.html

Whale Talk -- A Unit Plan by Grant T. Smith, Ph.D.
Viterbo University, Wisconsin
http://www.viterbo.edu/personalpages/faculty/GSmith/Chris_Crutcher.htm
http://www.viterbo.edu/personalpages/faculty/GSmith/WhaleTalk.html

KidReach Lesson Plan
Click HERE -- content used by permission, KidReach Reading Center.

Multnomah County Library Discussion Guide
http://www.multcolib.org/talk/guides-whale.html
OR
HERE.

BookHooks
http://www.bookhooks.com/detailed.cfm?Report_number=1715

THE SLEDDING HILL

Booktalking Colorado THE SLEDDING HILL   NEW
http://booktalkingcolorado.ppld.org/Scripts/FullRecord.asp?ID=533

CHRIS CRUTCHER HIMSELF

KidReach Lesson Plan
Click HERE - content used by permission, KidReach Reading Center.

Study Programs and Curriculum that feature Crutcher Books

STAYING FAT FOR SARAH BYRNES

Diet Wars PBS
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/teach/diet/DietWars.pdf

Connecticut Humanities Council -- Book Voyagers
http://www.ctculture.org/forms/BV%20cat.pdf

WebQuests

Hoisington Middle School -- WHALE TALK
http://www.geocities.com/hmscards/whaletalk

Benjamin Franklin Middle School -- IRONMAN
This Teacher in Teaneck and her school's tech wizard really knew how to make an assignment. Check out Mrs. Keane's web-based IRONMAN exploration, courtesy of the Benjamin Franklin Middle School WebQuest  website. AMAZING. Mrs. Keane has gone on to pursue a career in dance, but her WebQuest remains.

Joni Richards Bodart's Booktalks

CHINESE HANDCUFFS
IRONMAN
STAYING FAT FOR SARAH BYRNES
THE CRAZY HORSE ELECTRIC GAME
WHALE TALK

OTHER BOOKTALKS

STOTAN! by Nancy Keane
http://nancykeane.com/booktalks/crutcher_stotan.htm

CRAZY HORSE ELECTRIC GAME by Nancy Keane
http://nancykeane.com/booktalks/crutcher_crazy.htm

RUNNING LOOSE by Nancy Keane    
http://nancykeane.com/booktalks/crutcher_running.htm

STAYING FAT FOR SARAH BYRNES - Margaret O Brown Library  http://www.amphi.com/schools/ams/library/btstayingfat.html