NUMBER THE STARS by Lois Lowry.

VIRTUAL CLASS


(Activate SUBTITLES, if necessary: go to the little box UNDER the video)

Discussion questions (ORIGINAL DOC)

1. What are some changes in Annemarie’s home and city caused by the war? Which change would bother you the most if it happened here?
2. Did you see example of thoughtfulness or consideration for others in this story?
3. Did you see examples of honesty or dishonesty? How did you feel when you read about them?
4. Why did Lois Lowry choose Number The Stars for the story’s title?
5. What was one of the most suspenseful parts of the story? What did you like or dislike about it?
6. What did you think about the soldier who touched Kirsti’s hair and said she reminded him of his own daughter?
7. What did you think of the soldier who tore Lise’s baby picture, threw it on the floor, and ground his boot heel into it?
8. Did you read any examples of quick thinking?
9. Who has the harder time: Mama who was slapped by a Nazi and broke her ankle or Papa who waits, worries, and follows his normal routine of buying the newspaper and going to the office?
10. When people come for Great Aunt Birte’s family gathering, Annemarie believes that she and Mama become equals. It was on page 79. How could this be true?
11. Annemarie lists the sources of pride that the Rosens left behind: the candlesticks, books, and dreams of theater. She believes that the Rosens still have some sources of pride. What could those be?
12. Annemarie tells her uncle that she wasn’t brave because she was frightened while she was delivering the basket with the hidden package. Do you agree with her? Why or why not?
13. What did Uncle Henrik mean when he said, “It is much easier to be brave if you do not know everything?”
14. Why did Mrs. Rosen tell the girls not to give the soldiers any reason to remember them?
15. Did any part of the story made you angry? Why?
16. When the soldier spoke to Kirsti and touched her hair she pushed his hand away and said, “Don’t” What were you like as a 5-year-old? How would you have acted with this soldier?
17. Did any part of the story made you sad? Why?
18. On page 123, Uncle Henrik says that being brave means not thinking about the dangers, just thinking about what you have to do. Let’s think about courage. Yes, it is shown by soldiers rushing in to battle, police officers standing up to criminals, and firefighters entering burning buildings. But could it also be a mom caring for a sick child? How about visiting a loved one in a nursing home when that loved one doesn’t know you anymore? What other examples could we think of?
19. Does anyone know the importance of the Star of David? What does Ellen’s necklace represent? 20. Do you think Annemarie will see Ellen again? Why or why not?
21. What kind of friendship do Annemarie and Ellen have?

PORTFOLIO:

1. Take down study notes from the video (you can ACTIVATE SUBTITLES)
2. Copy the questions above and answer them. You can WORK IN PAIRS to answer them.

stella :-)


BONUS: Number the Stars for DEAF students. University of Texas. NOT TO BE MISSED!!!!!!! (It can be used as a REVISION STRATEGY, too)