Biography:
Budge Wilson was born in 1927 and lives in Nova Scotia. She went to the University of Dalhousie in Halifax, allowing her to get a degree in philosophy, and psychology. Budge Wilson also, has a diploma in Education and a Physical Education teaching certificate certifying her to be a fitness instructor from 1968 to 1989. She moved to Ontario for 25 years. In that time she attended the University of Toronto and did two years of graduate work in English and worked at the institute of Child Study. Her first book was published in 1984.
Symbol:
Response: This picture symbolizes Miss Hancock because the metaphor in the book describes her as a cake that is green and white but not perfect. I think the cake looks like what the metaphor describes because it has tons of icing and the chocolate swirls and flowers are not perfect.
1. Why do you think Miss Hancock got along so well in Junior high school, but had so much difficulty in senior high?
I think that Miss Hancock had so much trouble in senior high because when she had Junior high they were all intimidated by her, but when it came to senior high the kids were more out spoken and were not scared of her at all. When kids are in grade 7 they want to learn and the teacher usually has authority over them and they respect that. In grade 10 it is very different because kids like attention and they will speak out to get that attention even if it means challenging a teachers authority.
b.) In your experiences what were some of the differences you noticed between your teachers from grades 7-9?
There's not a very big difference besides we went from two teachers to five, but since you have so many teachers in grade nine there is not much of a connection compared to when you see only one or two teachers a day, like in grade 7. Another thing I noticed about grade nine was that there was a lot more responsibility, unlike in grade seven when your teachers would track you down to get an assignment.
2. What recommendations would you make to a teacher moving from junior high to senior high?
Recommendations I would make would be to try as much as you can to find something in common with your senior high students. Try to relate to them through your subject so that they will understand it better, and don't just talk and go from a text book try to make the class active. A good thing to do would be to show clips of videos, that relate to your topic.
3. Is Charlotte right for blaming herself for Miss Hancock's death? Would being more friendly to Miss Hancock at senior high have made a difference?
I think Charlotte is not right for blaming herself because there is know way she could of prevented Miss Hancock from slipping on the ice and getting hit by a bus. Being more friendly to Miss Hancock would not make a difference because the accident was not caused by Charlotte, not being nice to her. I think if Charlotte was nicer to Miss Hancock she would be happier and it would make life a little bit easier for Miss Hancock but I don't think anything could of prevented this accident except for Miss Hancock.
4. How were the metaphorical descriptions similar to the actual characters? How were they different?(explain)
a.) Charlotte's mother? The metaphor was similar to Charlotte's mother because from the outside her mom looks well put together and beautiful, and in the inside her brain and the way she thinks is very organized like a computer. One thing I think was different between the metaphor and the character is that I got the impression that the mother was very neat and in the metaphor it said people with dirty shoes walked into the building.
b.) Miss Hancock? The metaphor was similar to Miss Hancock because it describes her being imperfect but so vibrant and loud. One thing I think was different between the metaphor and the charter is that you never know if certain parents would not like Miss Hancock. I think the only reason why Charlotte's mother did not like Miss Hancock is because Charlotte's mom likes things in order and near perfect.
Critical Thinking:
i) Why do you think the author wrote the text?
I think the author wrote the story because she is trying to make people aware of there actions and how they treat people. Some of your own actions could have a big influence on another person even if you are not aware of it.
ii) What does the author want you to think?
The author wants you to think about how Charlotte treated Miss Strangeworth and he wants he to question that if Charlotte had treated Miss Strangeworth differently would the accident of happened.
The author wants you to think about how Charlotte treated Miss Strangeworth and he wants he to question that if Charlotte had treated Miss Strangeworth differently would the accident of happened.
iii) Do you belong to any of the groups in the text?
I think I am like the teacher because I am outgoing and a bit crazy.
I think I am like the teacher because I am outgoing and a bit crazy.
iv) Does the story remind you of a real-life event (your own or others)?
The story reminds me of when substitute teachers come into my class and my class mates and I treat her disrespectfully.
The story reminds me of when substitute teachers come into my class and my class mates and I treat her disrespectfully.
v) Does the story remind you of another book or movie on a similar topic?
This story reminds me of a movie called Hardball, because in the movie a coach goes through something like Charlotte. In the movie a man gets stuck coaching a baseball team he doesn't really care about. It is not until a little boy dies on the team when he realizes that baseball brought so much joy into this boys life and maybe if he had cared more would the outcome be different?
This story reminds me of a movie called Hardball, because in the movie a coach goes through something like Charlotte. In the movie a man gets stuck coaching a baseball team he doesn't really care about. It is not until a little boy dies on the team when he realizes that baseball brought so much joy into this boys life and maybe if he had cared more would the outcome be different?
This story reminds me of bullying and its consequences because technically the kids were bullying the teacher by not respecting her and in some cases bullying can resort to death.
vii) What action might you take from what you have learned?
I will treat people nicely and equally with respect.
I will treat people nicely and equally with respect.
viii) What big question has this text left you with?
Do I exclude and ignore?
Do I exclude and ignore?
My metaphor:
My Nana is a white rancher, with a beautiful brown fence. There is hand made stepping stones leading to a traditional blue door. The bottom edge of the house is filled with cracks barely showing its age behind its beautiful structure. Inside, the smell of slow cooking beef stew fills a softly lit room. There is a matching living room set with a hand crafted wooden coffee table with a glass top. Sitting upon the table lays an unfinished scrabble game with a dictionary beside it. On the walls several pictures hang of smiling grand-children. In the midst of the single pictures hangs a family portrait of her siting beside her husband holding his hand smiling thankfully. The next room sits one couch, several lamps, and a hot burning fire place. A book shelf stacked full of books labeled mostly on history or how to... On the corner of the shelf is a worn out book labeled The Bible. Everything in this room has a purpose.
