The First Part Last

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Teacher’s Guide for                                                                  

The First Part Last by Angela Johnson

Pre-reading:

How do you think your life would change as a teenager if you suddenly had the responsibility of an infant? Make a schedule of your life as it is now (look at your day planner) and then make a new one based on a life with baby.

Knowledge:

1. Describe how Bobby and Nia’s parents react to the news of her pregnancy. How would yours?
2. Find a quote that most reveals who Bobby is as a person. Explain why you picked it.

Comprehension:

1. Find three examples that show what kind of father Bobby is to Feather.
2. What do you think is the most difficult thing for Bobby? Why? (Answer this question after a few chapters, answer it again at the end of the novel and see if the answer changes)

Application:

1. Predict what happens to this family ten years into the future. Explain why.
2. Write ten questions you would ask Bobby, Mary, and Nia if you could.

Analyze:

1. On page 35 Bobby says, “ … which pisses her off and makes her scream, and then I look around my room and miss me.” Explain what he means.
2. Angela Johnson tells the story in a non-linear fashion. Why, do you think, she chose this literary device to reveal the story?

Synthesize:

1. How would you cope under the extraordinary circumstances that Bobby finds himself?
2. Would you make the same choices?

Evaluation:

1. If Bobby had Nia’s help raising Feather would he be a different father? What makes you think so?
2. Do you agree with Mary and Fred’s approach to grandparenthood? Why or why not?

Multiple Intelligence Projects for

The First Part Last by Angela Johnson

Verbal/ Linguistic

Write at least five letters to Nia explaining what is happening with both Bobby and Feather. Be specific!

or

Study the spare, lyrical writing of Angela Johnson and try to write one scene of a story with a similar quality and the same economy of words.

Logical/ Mathematical:

Find the most recent statistics that you can about teen pregnancy in America. Create at least one graph explaining the results you discovered.

Visual/ Spatial:

Create a piece of art that you feel represents Bobby’s emotions throughout the novel. Think about form, color and line as you create your work. Explain your art in a brief, but illuminating paragraph.

Body/Kinesthetic

In small groups, act out scenes from the novel.

Or-

Write the dialogue and act out the scenes that are left off camera (like what Nia says when she meets Bobby with a balloon on his birthday).

Musical/ Rhythmic

Either create an original piece of music yourself to accompany the story or, find at least three songs that you think belong on the soundtrack of the movie version of this book. Explain why you chose these songs (and include a copy of the lyrics) in a brief journal.

Interpersonal:

Cooperative Learning Project:

In groups of no more than three explore and research one aspect of teen pregnancy (or choose one of your own):

How sex education affects pregnancy rates

Social implications of teen pregnancy on communities

Long-term effects for the mother (and/or father) for future success

Long term success for the infant in health and education

The availability of birth control and other services on pregnancy rates

Which children are most at risk for teen pregnancy

Adoption

Foster care system

Teen shelters

Outstanding programs for young mothers and fathers

Abstinence programs

Then, create a website (or pamphlet) sharing your compilation of facts with the public. Invite the public +/or other teens in a discussion via a message board about it.

Intrapersonal:

Write a letter to yourself about where you want to be in ten years. Reflect on how your goals would be compromised if you were forced to turn your attention to another human being. Assume that your responsibilities would be maximized similar to Bobby’s and that adults would let you assume the brunt of your own mistake.

 Refer to the letter as needed.

Bird

bird By Angela Johnson

Pre-reading:

Have you ever wanted to run away from home? Why do you think many children share this daydream?

Look at the cover: Who do you think is on the cover? Why is she in a tree?

Prediction Guide

Great readers keep themselves involved in the story while they’re reading by making predictions about what might happen next. These guesses are based on evidence that the author gives you and what you know about stories (like things usually get worse before they get better). The important thing is not whether you answer the questions correctly but that you think about them. After answering each question at the end of a section make a reasonable question that you’d like to see answered. This prediction will help keep you tuned-in when your brain tries to take a commercial break!

Chapter 1

1. What do you think Bird will say to her mom if she calls? What will her mom answer?
2. What will the family do if Bird presents herself to them the following Sunday?
3. Will Bird find out what she’s looking for in Alabama?

Chapter 2

1. Will Ethan show himself to Bird? Will Bird let Ethan find her? What will happen between them?
2. What would Ethan’s Mom do if she found out about Bird? Will she?

Chapter 3

1. Who will clean up Derek’s side of the room? When?
2. What would Mrs. Pritchard say to Jay about taking her husband’s car for the joyride?

Chapter 4

1. How will things change now that Ethan and Bird have met?
2. Do you think Bird’s mom is “fine just like me”? Why or why not?

Chapter 5

1. Will Bird show herself to Cecil? What will he say and do? What will Ethan say when he finds out they know each other?
2. Will Bird come back to Ethan’s shed? Will Ethan try to find her?

Chapter 6

1. Will Jay figure out who Bird is and tell on her? Who would he tell?
2. What will Jay do next to get out of house arrest? Will he get caught?

Chapter 7

1. Will Bird confront Cecil about his other life without her? What will he say?
2. Will Mrs. Pritchard contact the authorities about Bird? What makes you think so or not?
3. What will Bird decide to do?

Chapter 8

1. Will Uncle Cecil stay with Ethan’s family or go back to Bird’s mom? What makes you think so?
2. Will all Ethan’s wishes come true? Which ones?

Chapter 9

1. Will Jay or Bird be found out? How or why?
2. What will change for Jay now? What makes you think so?

Chapter 10

1. Will Cecil go back to Ohio with Bird?
2. Will Ethan find out who Bird is? Will he feel betrayed?

Chapter 11

1. Did Bird miss her chance to see Cecil? What will happen next?
2. Will Ethan start to make new friends and use his gift? How?

Chapter 12

1. Will Jay forgive himself for how he had taken Derek’s trust? Why?
2. Will Mrs. Pritchard forgive Jay for what he did to her husband’s car? What makes you think so?

Chapter 13

1. Do you think Mrs. Pritchard is thinking of finding Bird’s family? Why?
2. Why is Bird up so early in the morning and going for a run? Will she “catch what you’re running at?”

Chapter 14

1. Will Ethan become friends with Paco? What makes you think so or not?
2. Will Uncle C.L. leave Ethan and go home with Bird now?

Chapter 15

1. Who is standing at the doorway for Jay?
2.  What will happen next?

Chapter 16

1. What happens back in Ohio after the close of the book?
2. What do you think happens to Ethan and Jay and Cecil?

Comprehension Check:

1. Why did Bird take a bus to Acorn, Alabama?
2. How has Ethan been different from other kids until just recently?
3. Ethan has something that is not his own. What is it and whose was it?
4. Why do you think Ethan doesn’t tell his mom about Bird?
5. What does Jay do with his friend Googy? Why do you think he does it?
6. Who allows Bird a chance to get clean and full? What connection does she have with another character?
7. Why can’t Ethan tell his Uncle Cecil or anyone else about Bird disappearing?
8. Describe Jay’s approach to his house arrest.
9. Why does Bird tell Ethan she loves him? To whom is she really speaking?
10. What does Bird realize out on the early morning run? What does that help her to do?

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Discussion Guide:

1. “That’s what made me leave. Those ants. Everything, nothing, and those red ants.” Bird reveals about leaving home. What do you think she means by this? Have you ever had something seemingly unconnected change everything?
2. How does Ethan feel about his mother? How does he describe her? Why do you think he makes a connection between Bird and his mom?
3. Jay says, “I’ve heard my folks say that if people took the time to think about the dumb things they might do when they’re about to do them, they wouldn’t. My folks are wrong.” (p. 31) Do you agree with Jay or his parents? Why?
4. Bird doesn’t want people to know who she is, and yet she’s terribly lonely. How does this conflict affect her behavior and how she interacts with people? She says, “You can be almost anybody in the summer.” Why is this so important to her?
5. Ethan was always afraid of heights and people never made him try anything he was scared of when he was so sick. Discuss how an illness in the family can change everything. How will they change again now that he’s better?
6. Why do you think Jay is able to admit to Bird his brother’s death when he hasn’t been able to say it before? Is this an important moment for Ethan? Why? How does it affect Bird’s decision?
7. Bird asks Ethan, “you think somebody can love a person if they don’t tell that person things about themselves?” What do you think of Bird’s question? Can people? Why or why not?
8. Ethan’s family plants roses in Jay’s yard as a symbol of their gratitude. Why does it make Jay angry at first? How do you think his parent’s feel? How would you feel if you were Jay? or Ethan? Or either set of parents?
9. How does this runaway stranger, Bird, change the lives of both Ethan and Jay? Is it for the better? How? How can strangers change lives for both good and bad?
10. Bird doesn’t have to talk to Cecil to come to her own conclusions about him. What does she realize? Why is this so important?

Projects Across the Curriculum:

Language Arts:

Write the news stories that might appear in a local paper based off the events in this story. For example: Local teen goes missing, last seen at Greyhound Bus Depot.

Mathematics:

Make a character chart with the following characteristics: Name, description, home, relationship to Bird, and a quote about them or by them that best represents their character. Use it to study for a quiz.

Art:

Create a sculpture inspired by the events in Bird. Your media and technique is completely your own, but describe your process and what you hoped to accomplish in a brief paragraph about it.

Music:

Bird spent a great deal of her time outside during this novel. Go outside with a journal and record all the sounds that you hear and their source. You may even want to make a recording of it. What did you learn from this experience?

bird By Angela Johnson

Pre-reading:

Have you ever wanted to run away from home? Why do you think many children share this daydream?

Look at the cover: Who do you think is on the cover? Why is she in a tree?

Prediction Guide

Great readers keep themselves involved in the story while they’re reading by making predictions about what might happen next. These guesses are based on evidence that the author gives you and what you know about stories (like things usually get worse before they get better). The important thing is not whether you answer the questions correctly but that you think about them. After answering each question at the end of a section make a reasonable question that you’d like to see answered. This prediction will help keep you tuned-in when your brain tries to take a commercial break!

Chapter 1

1. What do you think Bird will say to her mom if she calls? What will her mom answer?
2. What will the family do if Bird presents herself to them the following Sunday?
3. Will Bird find out what she’s looking for in Alabama?

Chapter 2

1. Will Ethan show himself to Bird? Will Bird let Ethan find her? What will happen between them?
2. What would Ethan’s Mom do if she found out about Bird? Will she?

Chapter 3

1. Who will clean up Derek’s side of the room? When?
2. What would Mrs. Pritchard say to Jay about taking her husband’s car for the joyride?

Chapter 4

1. How will things change now that Ethan and Bird have met?
2. Do you think Bird’s mom is “fine just like me”? Why or why not?

Chapter 5

1. Will Bird show herself to Cecil? What will he say and do? What will Ethan say when he finds out they know each other?
2. Will Bird come back to Ethan’s shed? Will Ethan try to find her?

Chapter 6

1. Will Jay figure out who Bird is and tell on her? Who would he tell?
2. What will Jay do next to get out of house arrest? Will he get caught?

Chapter 7

1. Will Bird confront Cecil about his other life without her? What will he say?
2. Will Mrs. Pritchard contact the authorities about Bird? What makes you think so or not?
3. What will Bird decide to do?

Chapter 8

1. Will Uncle Cecil stay with Ethan’s family or go back to Bird’s mom? What makes you think so?
2. Will all Ethan’s wishes come true? Which ones?

Chapter 9

1. Will Jay or Bird be found out? How or why?
2. What will change for Jay now? What makes you think so?

Chapter 10

1. Will Cecil go back to Ohio with Bird?
2. Will Ethan find out who Bird is? Will he feel betrayed?

Chapter 11

1. Did Bird miss her chance to see Cecil? What will happen next?
2. Will Ethan start to make new friends and use his gift? How?

Chapter 12

1. Will Jay forgive himself for how he had taken Derek’s trust? Why?
2. Will Mrs. Pritchard forgive Jay for what he did to her husband’s car? What makes you think so?

Chapter 13

1. Do you think Mrs. Pritchard is thinking of finding Bird’s family? Why?
2. Why is Bird up so early in the morning and going for a run? Will she “catch what you’re running at?”

Chapter 14

1. Will Ethan become friends with Paco? What makes you think so or not?
2. Will Uncle C.L. leave Ethan and go home with Bird now?

Chapter 15

1. Who is standing at the doorway for Jay?
2.  What will happen next?

Chapter 16

1. What happens back in Ohio after the close of the book?
2. What do you think happens to Ethan and Jay and Cecil?

Comprehension Check:

1. Why did Bird take a bus to Acorn, Alabama?
2. How has Ethan been different from other kids until just recently?
3. Ethan has something that is not his own. What is it and whose was it?
4. Why do you think Ethan doesn’t tell his mom about Bird?
5. What does Jay do with his friend Googy? Why do you think he does it?
6. Who allows Bird a chance to get clean and full? What connection does she have with another character?
7. Why can’t Ethan tell his Uncle Cecil or anyone else about Bird disappearing?
8. Describe Jay’s approach to his house arrest.
9. Why does Bird tell Ethan she loves him? To whom is she really speaking?
10. What does Bird realize out on the early morning run? What does that help her to do?

Discussion Guide:

1. “That’s what made me leave. Those ants. Everything, nothing, and those red ants.” Bird reveals about leaving home. What do you think she means by this? Have you ever had something seemingly unconnected change everything?
2. How does Ethan feel about his mother? How does he describe her? Why do you think he makes a connection between Bird and his mom?
3. Jay says, “I’ve heard my folks say that if people took the time to think about the dumb things they might do when they’re about to do them, they wouldn’t. My folks are wrong.” (p. 31) Do you agree with Jay or his parents? Why?
4. Bird doesn’t want people to know who she is, and yet she’s terribly lonely. How does this conflict affect her behavior and how she interacts with people? She says, “You can be almost anybody in the summer.” Why is this so important to her?
5. Ethan was always afraid of heights and people never made him try anything he was scared of when he was so sick. Discuss how an illness in the family can change everything. How will they change again now that he’s better?
6. Why do you think Jay is able to admit to Bird his brother’s death when he hasn’t been able to say it before? Is this an important moment for Ethan? Why? How does it affect Bird’s decision?
7. Bird asks Ethan, “you think somebody can love a person if they don’t tell that person things about themselves?” What do you think of Bird’s question? Can people? Why or why not?
8. Ethan’s family plants roses in Jay’s yard as a symbol of their gratitude. Why does it make Jay angry at first? How do you think his parent’s feel? How would you feel if you were Jay? or Ethan? Or either set of parents?
9. How does this runaway stranger, Bird, change the lives of both Ethan and Jay? Is it for the better? How? How can strangers change lives for both good and bad?
10. Bird doesn’t have to talk to Cecil to come to her own conclusions about him. What does she realize? Why is this so important?

Projects Across the Curriculum:

Language Arts:

Write the news stories that might appear in a local paper based off the events in this story. For example: Local teen goes missing, last seen at Greyhound Bus Depot.

Mathematics:

Make a character chart with the following characteristics: Name, description, home, relationship to Bird, and a quote about them or by them that best represents their character. Use it to study for a quiz.

Art:

Create a sculpture inspired by the events in Bird. Your media and technique is completely your own, but describe your process and what you hoped to accomplish in a brief paragraph about it.

Music:

Bird spent a great deal of her time outside during this novel. Go outside with a journal and record all the sounds that you hear and their source. You may even want to make a recording of it. What did you learn from this experience?

bird By Angela Johnson

Pre-reading:

Have you ever wanted to run away from home? Why do you think many children share this daydream?

Look at the cover: Who do you think is on the cover? Why is she in a tree?

Prediction Guide

Great readers keep themselves involved in the story while they’re reading by making predictions about what might happen next. These guesses are based on evidence that the author gives you and what you know about stories (like things usually get worse before they get better). The important thing is not whether you answer the questions correctly but that you think about them. After answering each question at the end of a section make a reasonable question that you’d like to see answered. This prediction will help keep you tuned-in when your brain tries to take a commercial break!

Chapter 1

1. What do you think Bird will say to her mom if she calls? What will her mom answer?
2. What will the family do if Bird presents herself to them the following Sunday?
3. Will Bird find out what she’s looking for in Alabama?

Chapter 2

1. Will Ethan show himself to Bird? Will Bird let Ethan find her? What will happen between them?
2. What would Ethan’s Mom do if she found out about Bird? Will she?

Chapter 3

1. Who will clean up Derek’s side of the room? When?
2. What would Mrs. Pritchard say to Jay about taking her husband’s car for the joyride?

Chapter 4

1. How will things change now that Ethan and Bird have met?
2. Do you think Bird’s mom is “fine just like me”? Why or why not?

Chapter 5

1. Will Bird show herself to Cecil? What will he say and do? What will Ethan say when he finds out they know each other?
2. Will Bird come back to Ethan’s shed? Will Ethan try to find her?

Chapter 6

1. Will Jay figure out who Bird is and tell on her? Who would he tell?
2. What will Jay do next to get out of house arrest? Will he get caught?

Chapter 7

1. Will Bird confront Cecil about his other life without her? What will he say?
2. Will Mrs. Pritchard contact the authorities about Bird? What makes you think so or not?
3. What will Bird decide to do?

Chapter 8

1. Will Uncle Cecil stay with Ethan’s family or go back to Bird’s mom? What makes you think so?
2. Will all Ethan’s wishes come true? Which ones?

Chapter 9

1. Will Jay or Bird be found out? How or why?
2. What will change for Jay now? What makes you think so?

Chapter 10

1. Will Cecil go back to Ohio with Bird?
2. Will Ethan find out who Bird is? Will he feel betrayed?

Chapter 11

1. Did Bird miss her chance to see Cecil? What will happen next?
2. Will Ethan start to make new friends and use his gift? How?

Chapter 12

1. Will Jay forgive himself for how he had taken Derek’s trust? Why?
2. Will Mrs. Pritchard forgive Jay for what he did to her husband’s car? What makes you think so?

Chapter 13

1. Do you think Mrs. Pritchard is thinking of finding Bird’s family? Why?
2. Why is Bird up so early in the morning and going for a run? Will she “catch what you’re running at?”

Chapter 14

1. Will Ethan become friends with Paco? What makes you think so or not?
2. Will Uncle C.L. leave Ethan and go home with Bird now?

Chapter 15

1. Who is standing at the doorway for Jay?
2.  What will happen next?

Chapter 16

1. What happens back in Ohio after the close of the book?
2. What do you think happens to Ethan and Jay and Cecil?

Comprehension Check:

1. Why did Bird take a bus to Acorn, Alabama?
2. How has Ethan been different from other kids until just recently?
3. Ethan has something that is not his own. What is it and whose was it?
4. Why do you think Ethan doesn’t tell his mom about Bird?
5. What does Jay do with his friend Googy? Why do you think he does it?
6. Who allows Bird a chance to get clean and full? What connection does she have with another character?
7. Why can’t Ethan tell his Uncle Cecil or anyone else about Bird disappearing?
8. Describe Jay’s approach to his house arrest.
9. Why does Bird tell Ethan she loves him? To whom is she really speaking?
10. What does Bird realize out on the early morning run? What does that help her to do?

Discussion Guide:

1. “That’s what made me leave. Those ants. Everything, nothing, and those red ants.” Bird reveals about leaving home. What do you think she means by this? Have you ever had something seemingly unconnected change everything?
2. How does Ethan feel about his mother? How does he describe her? Why do you think he makes a connection between Bird and his mom?
3. Jay says, “I’ve heard my folks say that if people took the time to think about the dumb things they might do when they’re about to do them, they wouldn’t. My folks are wrong.” (p. 31) Do you agree with Jay or his parents? Why?
4. Bird doesn’t want people to know who she is, and yet she’s terribly lonely. How does this conflict affect her behavior and how she interacts with people? She says, “You can be almost anybody in the summer.” Why is this so important to her?
5. Ethan was always afraid of heights and people never made him try anything he was scared of when he was so sick. Discuss how an illness in the family can change everything. How will they change again now that he’s better?
6. Why do you think Jay is able to admit to Bird his brother’s death when he hasn’t been able to say it before? Is this an important moment for Ethan? Why? How does it affect Bird’s decision?
7. Bird asks Ethan, “you think somebody can love a person if they don’t tell that person things about themselves?” What do you think of Bird’s question? Can people? Why or why not?
8. Ethan’s family plants roses in Jay’s yard as a symbol of their gratitude. Why does it make Jay angry at first? How do you think his parent’s feel? How would you feel if you were Jay? or Ethan? Or either set of parents?
9. How does this runaway stranger, Bird, change the lives of both Ethan and Jay? Is it for the better? How? How can strangers change lives for both good and bad?
10. Bird doesn’t have to talk to Cecil to come to her own conclusions about him. What does she realize? Why is this so important?

Projects Across the Curriculum:

Language Arts:

Write the news stories that might appear in a local paper based off the events in this story. For example: Local teen goes missing, last seen at Greyhound Bus Depot.

Mathematics:

Make a character chart with the following characteristics: Name, description, home, relationship to Bird, and a quote about them or by them that best represents their character. Use it to study for a quiz.

Art:

Create a sculpture inspired by the events in Bird. Your media and technique is completely your own, but describe your process and what you hoped to accomplish in a brief paragraph about it.

Music:

Bird spent a great deal of her time outside during this novel. Go outside with a journal and record all the sounds that you hear and their source. You may even want to make a recording of it. What did you learn from this experience?

www.TracieVaughnZimmer.com