Introduction to Boy of the Painted Cave
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
I liked chapter one of Boy of the Painted Cave, but I did not understand why Tao had to go to the field to hunt for another rabbit. Why couldn’t he just hunt for another rabbit in the area where he and his group were already at?
ReplyDeletePosted by Brad W.
Drawing is taboo in Tao's clan only if you are not born from a shaman, chief or leader. I think Tao would really like to be the image maker because he longed to be a drawer. I think that Tao would make a great image maker like Graybeard, Not only because he is a great drawer, but also he has the capability of a chosen one.
ReplyDeleteTao really enjoys drawing pictures when nobody is looking. If Tao is caught drawing pictures, he maybe severely punished or even banished. Tao is a very good drawer and would make a very good cave painter like Graybeard. Tao's chances of becoming a chosen one is very slim because he is not born from a shaman, chief, or a leader. But if Tao every gets picked, he may be the best cave painter in the clan. Ethan W.
ReplyDeleteTao’s community lets others eat before the hunters do. Tao’s character is kind and respectful.
ReplyDelete2. Tao saying that he will not eat while others are hungry tells you that the community that he lives in cares for each other. It also says that Tao cares about other people a lot.
ReplyDeleteNicole G.
ReplyDeleteBoy of the Painted Cave
Chapter 1
1.Tao likes to draw animals, and longs to draw in the Big Cave. He has to hide it because it’s a Taboo in his clan that only the Chosen One can draw. For a person to become a Chosen One they have to be the son or daughter of a Shaman, Chief or leader. Tao would love to be the Chosen One because he could freely do what he longed to do, draw.
2.The quote states that the community that Tao lives in is hungry and starved. The statement shows that Tao’s not selfish; he’ll share what he has with his clan. It also shows that he is caring and kind, in that he’ll share with everybody before himself.
Tao didn't have to go back to hunt for another rabbit, he was just going there to see if the rabbit he left was still there, and when he couldn't find it, he stayed there to hunt a new one. He wasn't allowed to come back until he found the rabbit, or at least caught another one to feed his hungry clan members.
ReplyDeleteTao didn’t have to go to the field to hunt for another rabbit, he had to go back to the field to get the rabbit he left behind.
ReplyDeleteI liked how Tao is going out to get a new rabbit but Volt is still being very mean
ReplyDelete