III. Post-reading

3.1. Feeling or no feeling?

Arin's attitude towards his family environment changes in the story. Do you think it's because he is so unfeeling, self-centered? In pairs, find as many reasons as you can for Arin's not leaving home.

2. Practising idiomatic speech.

Idioms can come in handy when telling the story of Arin and his family. Match some with their Russian equivalents.

A rough diamond Tread on air Be up in the clouds A load off one's shoulders Be born standing on one's feet Be born with a silver spoon in one's mouth Burn one's boats/bridges Upset someone's apple-cart

Новичёк, неопытный человек Гора с плеч Сжечь корабли Спутать все карты Родится в рубашке Витать в облаках Родится под счастливой звездой Быть на седьмом небе

3.3. Dreams, dreams, dreams...

Have you ever wished to be born into a different reality? If you had a magic stone of some sort, whatwould you like to ask for? Make a list of the five things you'd ask for. Explain your choice.

3.4. Listen-in.

Listen to the Beatles singing She's Leaving Home. Make sure you understand the lyrics well. Discuss the message in class. You might also compare the translations (there are at least two) of the lyrics into Russian.

SHE'S LEAVING HOME

Wednesday morning at five o'clock as the day begins

Silently closing their bedroom door

Leaving the note that she hoped would say more

She goes down to the kitchen clutching her handkerchief

Quietly turning the back door key stepping outside she is free.

She (We gave her most of our lives)

Is leaving (Sacrificed most of our lives)

Home (We gave her everything money could buy)

She's leaving home after living alone

For so many years. Bye, bye.

Father snores as his wife gets into her dressing gown

Picks up the letter that's lying there

Standing alone at the top of the stairs

She breaks down and cries to her husband: daddy our baby's gone.

Why should she treat us so thoughtlessly

How could she do this to me.

She (We never thought of ourselves)

Is leaving (never a thought of ourselves)

Home (We struggled hard all our lives to get by)

She's leaving home after living alone

For so many years. Bye, bye...

3.5. Project work: a music-box of a classroom.

Bring more songs that really tell stories. Listen to them to your heart's content and discuss them afterwards.

DISCUSSION (STORIES 1-5)

MEET THE AUTHOR

In the group, arrange a readers' conference. Invite the authors to participate: Jennifer Adams, Judy Silverman, Debora Zisk, David Hill, and Nancy Springer. Ask them as many profound questions as you can about the stories they wrote for Cricket. Three million Wheres, five million Hows, and seven million Whys are not unwelcome.

MEET THE PROTOTYPE

The characters of the four stories — Bessie, Wade, Eugenia, and Lara — might have had prototypes in real life. Say if you met someone who once got into similar circumstances.

MAGIC STONE RITES

Use a piece of chalk (this very precious classroom stone) as a quirin, just like Arin used his quirin back in in sleep.

GROUP THERAPY SESSION

One of your mates has a problem related to family relationships. If s/he agrees to share it with you all, give her/him emotional support. Be empathetic and considerate.

FAMILY TREE GARDEN

Using the products of your previous project work, take an excursion to the Garden where your Family Trees grow. Enjoy watching exotic fruit and slender branches. Don't forget to trim the trees so that everyone could marvel at them in wonder and admiration.

LISTEN-IN

Bring popular songs recordings to class and talk about the values celebrated in them. Share your impressions both as listeners and as future teachers.