The Gorp's Gift Questions

Synthesis

1. If Gorp were to change the title of the book, what would he would call it?
2. If you had one wish for your school or community, what would it be? What are some other ways that Gorp could relay his message to the world?
3. Instead of using guns, what are other ways we can deal with our anger?

Evaluation

1. Why do you think Gorp has come to you with his message?
2. Do you think Gorp has a valuable message to relay to kids? Why/why not?
3. Why are children shooting other children?
4. If there is violence in your community? What can you do to avoid it?
5. Why do you think the author wrote, "P.S. and they lived....." at the end of the book?

Other Types of Questions

At the beginning of the unit, brainstorm a list of questions that the kids have about violence and/or their safety. Base activities and questions that you ask of them on their knowledge and what they need to know.
Listed below are five ways of questioning that may be helpful as methods to help your students think about what they may be facing or safety measures they worry about.

1. Play Jeopardy...Provide the answers and have them come up with the questions.
2. Ask divergent, open-ended questions where there is no right answer.
   "What would a gun say to a child it just shot?"
   "What would Gorp say to a four year old who was climbing after a gun to show to his/her friend?"
   "What would a loaded gun say to a child/a gang member/ etc?"
3. Ask point of view questions where the students have to argue from another person's (or thing's) point of view.
4. Personification questions are also good.
   "Would you rather be a gun or a flower?"
   "How would you feel if you won the Nobel Peace Prize?"
   "How would your parents feel if you were a gang member?"
5. Imagination questioning stimulates creativity. Ask what if questions.
   "What would happen if guns melted in the sun?"
   "What if we didn't have thumbs to pull triggers?"
   "What if the color red were against the law?"
6. Finally, ask your students how come questions.
   "How come there is violence in our schools?"
   "How come people are so angry when it's a beautiful world?"
   "How come kids can get guns when it's against the law?"

   
   
   Adapted from The Gorp's Gift Teacher's Guide by Tracy Osburn.