Verbal/Linguistic: Read the author’s parody on
Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Less Traveled” (p. 46-47)
and create your own poetic parody
Logical/Mathematical: Keep a log tracking the
amount of money in Kenny’s “Dallas Fund.” Write down the
amount of each “deposit” and “withdrawal.” How much is
left at the end of the book?
Create a
Time Line for the events of that fateful Thursday when
Kenny plans to run away
Visual/Spatial: Make posters depicting scenes from
the book and display them around the classroom (Thanks
to Laura Jackson and Laura McGowan of Valley High School
for this activity).
Work
individually or in groups to create a visual map
depicting each of the twelve stages of the “Hero’s
Journey.” Write down the heading of each stage along
with a picture showing what happens during that part of
Kenny’s journey. For more information see the
Comfort Companion Chapter-by-Chapter Guide and/or
Vogler, Christopher. The Writer’s Journey: Mythic
Structure for Storytellers and Screenwriters.
Studio City: Michael Wiese Productions, 1992. ISBN#
0-941188-13-2
Body/Kinesthetic: Act out the scenes below in small
group pantomimes without speaking or making any sound
(this should look like a scene from TV with the sound
turned off). When you’re done, see if the other students
in the class can guess which scene from the book your
pantomime came from.
|
Pages |
Characters |
Scene |
|
1-4 |
Mama, Kenny, Police Officer |
Mama and Kenny drive to the courthouse in Boerne
to get him a driver’s license. |
|
21-23 |
Cindy, Kenny, Mama |
Kenny is embarrassed when Mama yells at Cindy
for reciting a poem up on Daddy’s stage. |
|
35-39 |
Kenny, Daddy |
Kenny beats up the Chevy at the Comfort Junkyard |
|
42-44 |
Kenny, Cindy, Waitress, Referee, Billy Bob,
Carmelita, Ring Girl |
Kenny and Cindy attend the poetry slam in San
Antonio |
|
153-155 |
Kenny, Suzie |
Suzie meets Kenny out by the dumpster and tells
him Cindy has married Todd |
|
155-158 |
Mama, Kenny, Todd, Cindy, Mr. Blackwell, Mrs.
Blackwell |
Kenny waits on the “wedding party” and takes
their photograph. |
|
207 |
Kenny, Roy, Jake, Smitty, Frank Bergman, Molly
Boswell, Tony Boswell |
Just before he dies, Daddy asks Kenny to take
care of Mama. |
Musical:
Watch an episode of “Austin City Limits” and discuss it
with the class. Why do you think the author chose this
particular show to use in the novel?
Interpersonal: Create a school-wide open mic
poetry coffee house. Invite local poets, teachers, and
students to read their original poems.
Have a
“Comfort Cuisine” potluck serving food from “Roy’s
Place” such as honey buns, corn dogs, frozen pizzas, pop
tart sandwiches, etc. (Thanks to Laura Jackson and
Laura McGowan of Valley High School for this activity).
Intrapersonal: Kenny says on page 122 “… for me,
school was the one place I felt safe, the one place I
could relax and let down my guard.” In your Response
Journal, describe a place where you feel safe and
explain why.
Naturalistic: Research the connection between
alcohol and blood sugar. Many alcoholics consume large
amounts of sugar when going through detox. How does Roy
junior’s chocolate addiction parallel his father’s
alcohol addiction?
|
Dr. Howard
Gardner, a professor of education at Harvard
University, teaches that there are many
different types of learners with many varied
learning styles. His theory of multiple
intelligences suggests that students respond
best to the learning environment when
information is presented through a variety of
avenues that address the various intelligences.
For more information about his theory check out
the following:
Gardner,
Howard. Frames of Mind: The Theory of
Multiple Intelligences. New York: Basic,1983
Gardner,
Howard. Multiple Intelligences: The Theory in
Practice. New York: Basic, 1993.
Gardner,
Howard. Intelligence Reframed: Multiple
Intelligences for the 21st Century. New
York: Basic, 2000. |
