CHAPTERS 4-5

Vocabulary

Chapter 4:

yoke - corn cratch - capstan - tackroom - hickory - to lug - oxbow - cotter - posthole digger - plump to the earth - stout - tongue - to abide - blundersome - twine - mirthful - to conjur - taproot - drug - mallet - trunnel - sty - flush - beholding - worldly

Chapter 5:

to hanker - gumption - sump - swale hole - crawdad - crick - sired - buff - prosperous

Analysis

1. Robert's father wants the crib for Pinky the pig to be moved away from the cow's stall. Robert tells him that it's impossible because it's too heavy. How does his father prove him wrong? What lesson does Robert learn in this incident?
2. On pages 34-38, Robert and his father have a discussion on history and politics. Make a list of the arguments Robert presents and another list for his father's arguments. In what ways are their points of view different? In what ways are they similar? Whose opinions would you support. Explain why.
3. Robert's father can't vote because he is illiterate. Is he bitter about that? Explain his attitude.
   Do you think the ability to read and write was more important to staying informed in the 1920's than it is today? Explain.
4. On page 40, the author describes in some detail how the father finishes the sty for the pig. Why does he give the reader that information?
5. What is the difference between wisdom and knowledge? What kind of wisdom does Haven Peck possess? How do you think he gained that kind of wisdom? What knowledge does he have, and how did he acquire that?
6. What do you think is the point of Rob telling about Abner Doubleday and Ethan Allen? How does his story help develop Rob's character and create a mood?
7. Chapter 5 is just a description of Robert and his pig wandering through the fields on a Sunday after the Shaker Meeting. What do you learn about Robert in this chapter?
8. Why does the chapter end with the birth of some kittens?

Why Do People Communicate?

Communication has been defined as a process of interaction between people who attempt to share an experience or influence each other's behaviour.

Sometimes the communication may be distorted or blocked because of factors, called " filters ". Filters are frequently classified under two headings: internal and external. Some examples of these are:

Internal

1. physical state (hunger, fatigue)
2. mental state (fuzzy thinking)
3. emotional state (anger, fear)
4. economic conditions (different backgrounds)
5. social conditions (status differences)

External

1. space
2. ventilation
3. acoustics

1. Look at the cartoon. What is interfering with the communication between father and son? ON a separate sheet of paper, complete the cartoon by filling in the appropriate "dialogue balloons".
2. In Chapter 5, Robert has a rather one-sided conversation with his pig Pinky. Why has he selected a pig rather than talking to the boys and girls from his school? What communication " filters " interfere with Robert's communications with people his own age?
3. List the barriers or " filters " that sometimes make your communication efforts difficult.
4. Describe an actual incident.

1. Cat
2. Pinky
3. Baseball
4. Frog

Copy the charts in your notebook.

Choose a character from the preceding charts for an interview. First write that character's name. Then write down 3 (three) questions that are designed to gain information about that character's personality traits.

Finally, prepare answers for your character that seem consistent with his or her personality and speaking style.