BEFORE READING THE BOOK

        PRE READING ACTIVITIES

1.  For background information, students will research the life of the author, Woodrow Wilson Rawls.  By using various web sits, students will obtain facts about him.  Some of the web sites to obtain this information are:

               http://www.edupaperback.org

              http://pac.eils.lib.id.us/rawls.html

               http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/redfern/redfernsg1.html

               http://www.trelease-on-reading.com/rawls.html

    After students obtain this information, they will use the Inspiration Program to design a web. Students need to first place the information into categories such as early life, education, later life, books written, and awards.   After this is completed each student will write an essay about the life of Rawls from the information they have in their web.  In addition, from the Inspiration web, students can transfer this information to a Power Point presentation.

2.  Through an exploration of the internet students will search for information about the Depression Era, the legends of Native Americans, the types of hunting coon dogs, and the ownership and care of pets.

    As a result of these findings, students will become aware of the following:

• explore the political and economic climate during the Depression Era
• learn about the economic consequences of this time
• understand how these economic factors affected the lives of families
• develop an awareness of Indian legends which relate to the central legend of the book
• learn about the Redbone Coonhound
• learn how pets help humans
• learn about the responsibilities that are required when owning a pet

                The following web sites can be used to get this information:

                   Native American Tales

                   Dog Lovers Page

                   The Six Breeds of Coonhounds

                   Breed Standards for Redbone Coonhounds

                   Do's and Don'ts--what must one take into consideration before buying

                   History of American Agriculture  (Look for the Depression Era)
 

            Suggested Activities for the above research:

1.  Students can create their own legend.

2.  Students can write expository prose.

3.  Students can create a poster describing dogs help their owners or how owners can create  a good home.

4.  Students can use a VENN diagram to compare and contrast Billy's hounds with the breed standards.

5.  Using the point scale for judging, students will create a chart giving points to Little Ann and Old Dan and should give their reasons for their scores.

6.  Students can explain how the events of the depression affected Billy and his family at the time of the story.

7.  Students can write a persuasive letter to their parents or guardian explaining why they would like a pet and what the do's and don'ts they have learned about the responsibilities of owning a pet.