Chapter 6

1. Tao invites Graybeard to eat with him and Ram. What will the shaman learn about Tao in the cave?

2. Imagine that you are Tao’s friend and a member of the clan, what advice would you give Tao regarding his current situation?

3. Comment on a classmate's posting.

Chapter 5

1. Describe the relationship between Tao and Ram. How does each one benefit from their relationship? Explain why Tao pretends to put on an “angry face” when he talks to the hunters.

2. What is the artistic "turning point" for Tao in this chapter?

3. In a separate posting, comment on at least one other classmate's blog comment

Chapter 4

What information does Kala "accidentally share" about Tao’s father? Who do you think Tao's father might be? Please do NOT read ahead!

Remember to write in complete sentences and proofread your writing before you submit your comments or questions to the blog. Write your comments on a word document; copy and paste them into a comments box. Be sure to use your first name only. Read and respond to each other’s comments. If you say that you agree or disagree with someone’s comment, tell that person why, respectfully.

Chapter 3

We read chapter 3 in Boy of the Painted Cave today in class. Please respond to the following questions listed below. Please write in complete sentences, which show thoughtful consideration of the book. Be sure to answer all parts of the question.

1. Why does Tao take two eggs from the eagle-owl and not all three? How many eggs would you have taken and why? Why does Tao feel sorry for the eagle-owl?

2. What information does Kala share about Tao’s mother?

Remember to write in complete sentences and proofread your writing before you submit your comments or questions to the blog. Write your comments on a word document; copy and paste them into a comments box. Be sure to use your first name only. Read and respond to each other’s comments. If you say that you agree or disagree with someone’s comment, tell that person why, respectfully.

CHAPTER 2

After you have read chapter 2 in Boy of the Painted Cave, respond to one of the following questions below. You are welcome to respond to both questions, but only one is required. Please write in complete sentences, which show thoughtful consideration of the book. Be sure to answer all parts of the question.

1. On page 29 Tao states, “Your demon of pain is gone. Now you can eat again.” Describe how Tao helped the wolf dog. How are Tao and the wolf dog alike?

2. Describe the slough. Why is it forbidden? Do you agree with Tao’s decision to enter the slough? Explain your answer.

Remember to write in complete sentences and proofread your writing before you submit your comments or questions to the blog. Write your comments on a word document; copy and paste them into a comments box. Be sure to use your first name and last name initial only. Read and respond to each other’s comments. If you say that you agree or disagree with someone’s comment, tell that person why, but do it respectfully.

Chapter 1

Ch 1 Blog entry

After you have read chapter 1 in Boy of the Painted Cave, respond to one of the following questions below. You are welcome to respond to both questions, but only one is required. Please write in complete sentences, which show thoughtful consideration of the book. Be sure to answer all parts of the question.
1. What does Tao like to do and why does he hide it? Explain how a person becomes a “Chosen One”. Do you think Tao would like to be the “Chosen One”?
2. On page 22 Tao states, “I would not eat while others are hungry.” What does it suggest about the community in which Tao lives? What does this statement say about Tao’s character?
Remember to write in complete sentences and proofread your writing before you submit your comments or questions to the blog. Write your comments on a word document; copy and paste them into a comments box. Be sure to use your first name only. Read and respond to each other’s comments. If you say that you agree or disagree with someone’s comment, tell that person why, respectfully.

BOY OF THE PAINTED CAVE

Introduction to Boy of the Painted Cave

Welcome to the Boy of the Painted Cave (BOTPC) Response to Literature web blog. In this post we will answer some questions that you may have about this type of discussion forum. If your question is not answered here please send me an email at dhartwig@hcsd.k12.ca.us.

We invite the sixth grade English students, their families, Crocker faculty, and other community members to join us in our blogging discussion. This is an exciting opportunity to share the experience of reading a novel, responding to discussion questions, viewing the entries of other readers, and even commenting on others’ responses.

When do we begin reading and responding to Boy of the Painted Cave?

On September 26th, the students will participate in a pre-reading blog prior to starting the novel; on Tuesday, they will begin to read and respond to discussion questions. The conclusion date of the blog has yet to be determined. After we have finished reading the book and have completed the activities, it may be possible to access the blog, but some of the discussions may no longer be active.

Who is the administrator of the Crocker Boy of the Painted Cave blog site?

Debbie Hartwig, sixth grade English teacher at Crocker Middle School, is the administrator of this blog discussion. Troy Hager, the Crocker technology teacher, is assisting with content and set up of the blog.

How will the students know what pages to read in Boy of the Painted Cave?

There are three ways to find out the reading assigned for the day. First, students can check the blog to learn what pages to read and respond to the questions. The second way is to find out in class from me. The third way is to access the night’s reading from the teacher’s page on the Crocker web site.

How will students access the blog?

Students will learn how to use the blog in English class. A blog can be posted from any computer with internet access. Students are able to use school computers in the classroom, lab, and library.

What discussion questions will be included with the project?

Different discussion questions will be posted on the blog. Students will add their responses to the questions through posting a comment on the blog entry. Readers will be able to read each others’ responses and can discuss the questions through the use of comments.

Is posting comments on the blog safe for students?

Anyone who has the web address to the blog can view it and its contents. Only our students, their families, and Crocker faculty have access to comment on this blog. Each student that posts must use his/her first name only. Students will learn how to sign in and post a comment during class. There will also be directions given for using Blogger.com. Any comment that contains a last name, inappropriate language, or a large number of errors will be removed or edited by the teacher.

Why read Boy of the Painted Cave?

Boy of the Painted Cave is a required novel for sixth grade students. The genre is historical fiction. The story takes place during the Paleolithic era. The students will meet Tao, the main character who struggles to understand and practice the traditions of his clan. The novel touches on several important themes including courage, determination, and self-reliance. It is well-written and highly engaging.

Why blog for school?

The blog is a collaborative tool for learning. Blogs provide a different forum for communicating ideas; they go one step outside the classroom discussion and beyond written responses on paper that only the teacher can access. “Through the unique process of blogging, students are able to read more critically, think about the reading more analytically, and write more clearly.” From Will Richardson, Blogs, Wikis, and Podcasts, 2006.

If you have any questions about this blog that were not answered above or you would like to join us please send me an e-mail at dhartwig@hcsd.k12.ca.us. If you have any positive or constructive feedback, please feel free to contact me.

Mrs. Hartwig