Due Date: Tuesday 12/01/09
NW 2 Book Report: Interview a Character
Directions: Write at least ten open-ended questions [that is, questions that require more than a “yes”
or “no” response] which will give the main character [protagonist] in your novel the opportunity to
discuss his/her thoughts and feelings about his/her role in the story and what happens to him/her.
The character must also answer the interviewer’s questions. Questions and answers should be
written to indicate the story’s plot and conflicts. Write the questions and answers in an interview
format. [See example on the back of this sheet.]
Include this page as a cover sheet and provide the following information about the novel:
Title of book: ___________________________
Author: ________________________________
Genre (Kind of fiction) ____________________
Number of pages: __________
SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS (Pg. 2)
Francis Mitsuo Tomosawa was interviewed by Scholastic students in May 2000.
Q> Are you glad that you moved to Japan, or do you wish that you had stayed in Hawaii for the war?
A> Well, my parents didn't have any inkling that the war would start — that's why they sent us to
Japan. But in hindsight, I, myself, wish that I had not gone to Japan.
Q> Was it hard living in Japan without your father?
A> Not necessarily. Before the war, things were okay. My father stayed back in Hawaii so he could
work to send money to support us. But as soon as the war started, he couldn't send any money to us.
We couldn't communicate for many years. My mother had to go to work then and it was very difficult
for her. It was difficult for all of us.
Q> What was life in America like for your father? Did he have to go to an internment camp?
A> Fortunately, my father was in Hawaii, where Japanese nationals, permanent residents, or those
who were born U.S. citizens were not all interned like those in California. So, he was able to continue
his life as before the war, though in a sort of limited way. He didn't have as much freedom as before
the war, but otherwise, things remained the same.
Q> How did you feel about school ending and having to go to work in the factory when you were
13?
A> Well, we didn't have any choice. The government ordered all students from seventh grade up to
be mobilized to work in a factory, or on farms, or in offices, because of the lack of manpower. In
some schools, the students were mobilized to make fire lanes — they had to dismantle a row of
houses, leave one intact, and then dismantle another, to keep any potential fires from spreading.
That's what was going on in Hiroshima when the bomb was dropped. These students were making
fire lanes, and so were in the city, close to ground zero. And the boys had their shirts off. Almost all
were instantly killed or disintegrated. Or they died afterwards, just like one of my best friends.
Q> We are reading Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes. Sadako gets radiation poisoning and
then dies of cancer at the age of 12. Did you get any radiation sickness or medical problems from
the bomb blast?
A> I'm sure I received a large dose of radiation because the day the bomb was dropped I worked in
a nearby hospital, and helped many people who were burned by the radiation. I'm sure I received a
dosage of radiation then, but fortunately I haven't come down with any effects of the radiation yet.
Though that doesn't mean that I won't later.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
LANGUAGE ARTS--GRADE 8
GUIDELINES AND EXPECTATIONS
Sanders, Collins, Hartweck
COURSE ELEMENTS:
A. Literary Terms and Genres
B. Writing Process and Traits
C. Expository Writing and Creative Writing
D. Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics
E. Vocabulary
F. Novel Study
G. Reading Skills
*** The elements listed above are integrated throughout the course. ***
SUPPLIES: Bring the following materials to class each day:
A. Blue or black pen
B. Notebook paper
C. Binder with SCHOOL ORGANIZER
D. Book or magazine for silent reading
E. Vocabulary Workshop (workbook)
TEXTBOOKS: Language Network and The Language of Literature are the textbooks for this course.
They should remain at home for use there. We will use a set in the classroom.
RULES FOR CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR: Your responsibilities in this
class are:
A. to be on time (in your desk and beginning the warmup/ reading
when the bell rings)
B. to be prepared for class (have your materials with you and try to get a
drink and use the restroom before class - hall passes are for emergencies)
C. to meet deadlines (all assignments are due at the beginning of
each class on the due date unless otherwise stated)
D. to use your time wisely
E. to be actively involved as a member of a group
F. to have a positive attitude
G. to pay attention, listen, and not be disruptive.
BOOKS: You are to bring a book or magazine to read every day. This may be an assigned novel, a
library book or magazine, a book from home, or a book or magazine checked out from me. There
are many options, so you should always have something to read!
ATTENDANCE AND CREDIT: State law requires students to be “in attendance” for at least 90 percent
of the days a class is taught during a semester or year in order to get credit for their academic work.
*See page 34 in the FJH Student Handbook.
ABSENCES AND MAKEUP WORK: If you have been absent, be responsible and get the assignments
the day you return to class. Also, refer to teacher.web. I update assigned work and homework daily.
Turn in assignments according to school policy.
GRADED PAPERS AND HANDOUTS: When a graded paper is returned to you, record the grade on your
grade sheet and place the paper in the appropriate section of your binder. By using this system, you
should know what your average is in my class at all times.
GRADES: Students’ grades/averages are based on the following percentages:
Daily--30%
Quizzes--30%
Tests, projects, & major writing pieces--40%
TUTORIALS: Tutorials for this class will be in Room 2 on Monday and Tuesday mornings from 8:00 -
8:23.
ROCKETS TEAM TIME: The team meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 10:00-10:30. Please e-
mail Ms. Cox at ncox@fisdk12.net or call the school at 281-482-7818 if you need to schedule a
conference with the team.
EMAIL: ccollins@fisdk12.net
homework assignments = teacherweb.com
The teacher reserves the right to make changes for any policy as the need arises.
PRE-AP LANGUAGE ARTS--GRADE 8
GUIDELINES AND EXPECTATIONS
Sanders, Collins, Hartweck
COURSE ELEMENTS:
A. Literary Terms and Genres
B. Writing Process and Traits
C. Expository Writing and Creative Writing
D. Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics
E. Vocabulary
F. Novel Study
G. Reading Skills
*** The elements listed above are integrated throughout the course. ***
LEARNING STRATEGIES IMPLEMENTED IN THE PRE-AP
CLASSROOM:
A. Active questioning, reading, and listening
B. Critical reading and thinking (analyzing and interpreting to draw conclusions)
C. Divergent thinking (analyze, synthesize, recognize, evaluate) in response to texts and ideas
D. Risk-taking in written responses, literary choices, and discussion
SUPPLIES: Bring the following materials to class each day:
A. Blue or black pen
B. Notebook paper
C. Binder with SCHOOL ORGANIZER
D. Book or magazine for silent reading
E. Vocabulary Workshop (workbook)
TEXTBOOKS: Language Network and The Language of Literature are the textbooks for this course.
They should remain at home for use there. We will use a set in the classroom.
RULES FOR CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR: Your responsibilities in this class are:
A. to be on time (in your desk and beginning the warmup/ reading when the bell rings)
B. to be prepared for class (have your materials with you and try to get a drink and use the
restroom before class - hall passes are for emergencies)
C. to meet deadlines (all assignments are due at the beginning of each class on the due date
unless otherwise stated)
D. to use your time wisely
E. to be actively involved as a member of a group
F. to have a positive attitude
G. to pay attention, listen, and not be disruptive.
BOOKS: You are to bring a book or magazine to read every day. This may be an assigned novel, a
library book or magazine, a book from home, or a book or magazine checked out from me. There
are many options, so you should always have something to read!
ATTENDANCE AND CREDIT: State law requires students to be “in attendance” for at least 90 percent
of the days a class is taught during a semester or year in order to get credit for their academic work.
*See page 34 in the FJH Student Handbook.
ABSENCES AND MAKEUP WORK: If you have been absent, be responsible and get the assignments
the day you return to class. Also, refer to teacherweb.com. I update assigned work and homework
daily. Turn in assignments according to school policy.
GRADED PAPERS AND HANDOUTS: When a graded paper is returned to you, record the grade on your
grade sheet and place the paper in the appropriate section of your binder. By using this system, you
should know what your average is in my class at all times.
GRADES: Students’ grades/averages are based on the following percentages:
Daily--30%
Quizzes--30%
Tests, projects, & major writing pieces--40%
TUTORIALS: Tutorials for this class will be in Room 2 on Monday and Tuesday mornings from 8:00 -
8:23.
ROCKETS TEAM TIME: The team meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 9:50-10:20. Please e-
mail Ms.Cox at ccox@fisdk12.net or call the school at 281-482-7818 if you need to schedule a
conference with the team.
EMAIL: ccollins@fisdk12.net
homework assignments = teacherweb.com
The teacher reserves the right to make changes for any policy as the need arises.