Final Prompt

Rate the success of Sharon Draper’s novel Copper Sun based on the blending of history and fiction (on a scale of 1 to 10). Which elements of her story are strictly fictional and which are basically historical? How do the historical elements make the story more memorable? Finally, how does Draper’s method of writing the novel affect the reader’s response to it?

In your answer, you must include:

a.   3 specific examples from Copper Sun                         15 pts.

b.   Discuss 1 outside source from this unit                        5 pts.
      (F. Douglass, L. Hughes, slave songs, etc.)

      c.   Coherence                                                                  5 pts.

      d.   GUMS                                                                       5 pts.  

Lit Circle #5

Discussion Leader focus areas:
1. Ask 1 question that includes your impression/thoughts about Fort Mose.
2. Ask 1 question that addresses Amari being pregnant with Clay's child.
3. Ask 1 question about a major theme present in the novel.

Reporter character options:
Amari or Polly

Lit Circle #4

Discussion Leader focus areas:
1. Write one question that addresses Dr. Hoskins' decision to free Amari, Tidbit, and Polly.
2. Write one question about Amari and Polly finally standing up to Clay (Ch. 35).
3. Write one question that somehow discusses Mr. Derby's death.  

Reporter character options: Nathan or Tidbit

Lit Circle #3

Discussion Leader focus areas:
1. Write one question about the relationship between Noah and Mrs. Derby.
2 and 3. Your other 2 discussion questions can be about whatever you would like in this section of the novel. Make sure they are in-depth and interesting though; this section contains many dramatic events that are great for discussion!!

Repoter character options:
Clay or Mr. Derby

Lit Circle #2

Discussion Leader focus areas:
1. Ask 1 question that includes your thoughts (and asks for insight from other readers) on the slave sale.
2. Ask 1 question that discusses the alternating narration between Amari and Polly.
3. Ask 1 question that addresses Clay's treatment of and/or relationship with Amari.

Reporter character options:
Mrs. Derby or Polly

Lit Circle #1

Discussion Leader focus areas:
1. Write 1 question that somehow discusses the lack of respect the slave traders had for Amari's village and tribe. (You could also include how the traders bribed the Ashanti, the Ewe's neighbor tribe, to help them.)
2. Write 1 question about the living conditions of the slave ship.
3. Write 1 question that discusses the treatment of the slaves by the white traders and sailors.

Reporter character options:
Amari or Afi

Link to create a Wordle:
http://www.wordle.net/

Welcome!!

I am so happy to finally be at CASHS, and excited to begin such an interesting novel with Honors English! I have heard wonderful things about all of you, so I expect great reflections and discussion on your own blogs. Please post any comments or questions that you have for me on mine as well. I will check it every night; so if you have a question about a lit circle due the next day, this would be the best way to have it answered. Below is a link to a Wordle I created for Copper Sun as an example.

http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/5001622/Copper_Sun