United StatesA Year Down Yonder Discussion Questions
- What is the irony in Mary Alice Dowdel being called “rich
Chicago girl” by her classmates? What do Mary Alice and Royce McNabb
have in common?
- Mary Alice spends many days “on the sidelines” at school. How is being
an outsider difficult? What is her first impression of her classmates? At
what point in the novel does Mary Alice begin to feel that she belongs at
school?
- Grandma Dowdel tells Mary Alice, “I can't fight all your battles
for you, but I can give you a level start.” What battles does Mary
Alice face when she comes to live with Grandma? What lessons does she learn
from Grandma about dealing with people? Cite evidence from the novel that
Mary Alice learns to fight her own battles.
- Halloween is Grandma's favorite holiday. How does it appear that
Grandma celebrates Halloween all year? Mary Alice says, “To Grandma,
Halloween wasn't so much trick-or-treat as it was vittles and vengeance.
Though she'd have called it justice.” What is the difference between
vengeance and justice? Cite incidents in the novel where Grandma's
vengeance becomes justice.
- Explain the statement, “Grandma was famous for keeping herself to
herself, but she was everywhere at once.”
- Discuss the term “mixed values.” What is Grandma's idea of
right and wrong? Engage the class in a debate about Grandma's obvious mixed
value system (e.g., stealing the pumpkins from the Pensinger's farm and
leaving them a pie in return).
- Trace the development of Mary Alice and Grandma's relationship from
the beginning of the novel to the end. Why doesn't Grandma go to the
school-sponsored Christmas program, or to the school's graduation
ceremony? Discuss Grandma's feelings at the end of the novel when Mary
Alice is preparing to return to Chicago. How does Grandma help Mary Alice
leave?
- What does Mary Alice mean when she says that Grandma has “eyes in
the back of her heart”?
- Why is it so important to Mary Alice that she and Royce McNabb be married in Grandma's house? Discuss the poignancy of the scene when Grandma gives Mary Alice away.
Asian-Pacific-American Heritage Month
May is Asian-Pacific-American Heritage Month! Don't overlook this opportunity to study and enjoy activities about the history and culture of Asian-Pacific American communities.
The recent rash of tornadoes in Oklahoma, which killed at least two dozen people, may have your students wondering why such natural disasters occur, how they may be affected by them, and what they can do to help. Use these resources to teach the geography of Oklahoma and the Southwestern United States, to explain tornadoes, and to discuss the resulting crises with your class.
Top 10 Galleries
Explore our most popular Top 10 galleries, from Top 10 Behavior Management Tips for the Classroom and Top 10 Classroom Organization Tips from Veteran Teachers to Top 10 Free (& Cheap) Rewards for Students and Top 10 Things Every Teacher Needs in the Classroom. We'll help you get organized and prepared for every classroom situation, holiday, and more! Check out all of our galleries today.
May Calendar of Events
May is full of holidays and events that you can incorporate into your standard curriculum. Our Educators' Calendar outlines activities for each event, including: Backyard Games Week (5/23-29) and Memorial Day (5/27). Plus, celebrate Asian-Pacific-American Heritage Month, Clean Air Month, and Physical Fitness & Sports Month all May long!
Common Core Lessons & Resources
Is your school district adopting the Common Core? Work these new standards into your curriculum with our reading, writing, speaking, social studies, and math lessons and activities. Each piece of content incorporates the Common Core State Standards into the activity or lesson.
