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Table of Contents..............................................................................................................2 How My Writing Career Went to the Dogs......................................................................3 An Approach to A Dogs Purpose...................................................................................7 Essential Questions for the Students:............................................................................8 VOCABULARY EIGHTH GRADE.................................................................................13 VOCABULARY NINTH GRADE....................................................................................15 VOCABULARY TENTH GRADE...................................................................................17 VOCABULARY ELEVENTH/TWELTH GRADES.........................................................19 CONNECT WITH THE TEXT............................................................................................21 Chapters 11-20.................................................................................................................26 Chapters 21 32..............................................................................................................35 MOTIVATING ACTIVITIES...............................................................................................41 Grammar Connections...................................................................................................43 Extending the Lesson.....................................................................................................44
A Dogs Purpose came to me the way the best ideas often do: of a piece, complete and whole, with little repair needed. Writing this book has been one of the great creative experiences of my life.
Authors Purpose:
Just about everything I know about dogs, I have been taught by dogs W. Bruce Cameron. It is no coincidence that many of Camerons pet names appear in his novel. Cameron states that Bailey is a combination of all the Labs I have ever owned: their propensity for snacking, their adoration for their owners, and how they can sense the excitement and nervousness emitting from others. While Baileys return to Earth as different dogs appears to be a result of reincarnation, Cameron does not adhere to either Buddhism or Hinduism as a model for this spiritual journey. If you notice, Cameron points out, there is a great deal of time that has passed between Ellies death and her return to Earth as Buddy, which suggests a richer spiritual experience other than being reborn immediately. In A Dogs Purpose, Cameron makes his own rules. I hope the reader can tell that each dog wants to be in a loving relationship with a human being. All of Baileys experiences will enable him to not only find Ethan, but to save him. Each experience the dogs share gives them the tools needed to bring Ethan and Hannah together again. Cameron enthuses, We see the sadness wafting off of Ethan, like the sadness that came from Jakob. The dog does not realize that Ethan is an old man and incapable of having a child. Buddy knows that Jakob had a sadness that was fixed with a new relationship and the birth of a baby; Buddy is acutely aware of Ethans sadness and wants him to have the same things. This is not a novel about how animals serve humans. Ellie knows her job is to do what she is told, and that makes her happy to some extent, but she also feels something is missing in her relationship with Jakob. Bear tries to follow Victor because he wants to be a good dog. In both instances, the dog is searching for his or her role, or purpose. Whether by Intelligent Design or not, Bailey learns from his past lives that in order to save Ethan, he has to be brought into a family.
Point of View The unique quality of the narrative of this story is that it is told from the dogs point of view. For this reason, Cameron is vague about specific time and setting. There are some textual clues, but it is ambiguous for a reason. A dog does not have sense of the year or the setting of a story. A dog sees the terrain but doesnt draw conclusions about where he might be on a map. Cameron makes a reference to Ethan and his family watching the moon landing in one scene, where Bailey is jazzed up by the sense of fear and excitement. Years later, two men make a subtle reference to Y2K. It is up to the reader to do the math. The reader may picture the Southwest in Camerons description of the dried cracked earth, or the appearance of canals and bi-lingual characters, but the states names are rarely mentioned. Humor is also used effectively as a result of the dogs point of view. According to Bailey, Smokey the cat is the instigator in some of the trouble he finds himself in. When Bailey is punished for the disordered kitchen, he looks with glum distaste at Smokey and thinks, Smokey, you are a bad cat, a bad, bad cat. In Baileys view, neither the cats, ducks, or horses have any real value to the family, but he does acknowledge a hierarchy and is satisfied when he knows his place within it.
Do the different breeds in the book represent different purposes? Support your answer with details from the text. (Students may have to briefly research the 3 different breeds and explain what they are known for). Do the circumstances surrounding the birth of each dog contribute to its outcome?
2.
What can you infer about the passage of time in the story? What clues are you given? Are there any gaps in time between when a dog dies and when it is reborn in the story?
3. What is the symbolism of the flip? Why did the flip reappear at the end of the story? Use quotes to support your answer. 4. Why do you think the author used the point of view of a dog when writing the story? How does the point of view relate to the authors purpose? How would the story be different if it was told in Ethans point of view, or Hannahs? 5. How does the author use foreshadowing to build rising action in the plot? Is it effective; why or why not? 6. What is Baileys conflict and how is it resolved? 7. How do dogs know when their owners are sad, happy, fearful, etc.? Find textual support for your answers.
8.
What clues are given to help you identify the time and place of each life? Can you deduce where each dog lived? Support your conclusions with text from the book. Teacher Tip: With Google
Maps, you can figure out where Ellie is when they are hunting for the man who took the girl.
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9. How are dogs vulnerabilities to mankind and their environment depicted in the book?
10.
What does the dog learn in each of his lives that help him
fulfill his purpose? What do you believe will happen next; will the dog be reborn again?
Synonyms of Word have students find one or two words that have the same meaning Modified Frayer Model
Select 2-3 vocabulary words related to the same concept. In pairs or groups, have students explore how the words are related to each other. Have students create word chains that demonstrate these relationships. Share with class. Write a paragraph using the words that demonstrate their connection.
Chapters 1 5 6th Grade List Prancing Culvert Deprive Surly Erupt (ed) Feeble Deflated Submissive Menace Contempt 7th Grade List Beseech Plummet Disheartened Wafted Radiated Senora Compulsion Compelled Propelled Perimeter
Chapters 6 10 10
6th Grade List Gratitude Scavenger Lure Solemn Lethargic Commotion Attentive
7th Grade List Shied Disdain Encounter Humiliated Reluctant Assume Pungent Vapors
Chapters 11 15 6th Grade List Canopy Edible Fuss(ed) Grieve Conflict Audible Tension 7th Grade List Pursuit Dismay Apathy Tentative Procession Ventured Dispel Reluctance
Chapters 16 20
Certified Turmoil
Chapters 21 25 6th Grade List Dwelling Gait Genuine Timid Disability Linger Ponder 7th Grade List Mystified Imminent Rapport Burdened Agitated Assurance Bellowed Conscious
Chapters 26 29
6th Grade List Eviction Fragrant Deliberate Vanished Threshold Rummaged Distracted
7th Grade List Malevolence Intimidating Baffled Muffled Illuminate Fathom Receptive
Chapters 30 32 12
ADVANCED: Baleful Ch. 6 Embedded Ch. 6 Groveled Ch. 3 Clamber Ch. 5 Furtively Ch. 3 Haughtiness Ch. 7
Impassively Ch. 9 Intoxicating Ch. 3 Obliterate Ch. 11 Plummeted Ch. 1 Savoring Ch. 1 Subdued Ch. 14 Taut Ch. 25 Tantalizing Ch. 3 Shambled Ch. 1 Succulent Ch. 2 Dispel Ch. 15
14
15
ADVANCED Arrayed Ch. 4 Berth Ch. 29 Contemptuously Ch.3 Ebb Ch. 32 Hackles Ch. 20 Jauntily Ch. 1 Strewed Ch. 7 Unabashed Ch. 31 Beguiled Ch. 2 Consigned Ch. 8 Dubiously Ch. 30 Grudgingly Ch. 1 Heeded Ch. 1 Motley Ch. 18 Tinged Ch. 18 Veering Ch. 16
16
17
Circumnavigation Ch. 2 Distended Ch. 5 Emulated Ch. 10 Galvanized Ch. 14 Imminent Ch. 21 Laden Ch. 7 Placate Ch. 4 Tenuous Ch. 17 Fetid Ch. 20 Jounce Ch. 1 Intrusive Ch. 4 Melee Ch. 1 Splayed Ch. 8 Wafted Ch. 1
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ADVANCED Adroitly Ch. 29 Disgorged Ch. 7 Grappling Ch. 22 Inexplicable Ch. 5 Luxuriated Ch. 31 Salving Ch. 14 Cordoned Ch. 15 Emanating Ch. 8 Ignominy Ch. 8 Inextricably Ch. 25 Redolent Ch. 28 Vestiges Ch. 6
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through the book with students, use these summaries to check for comprehension and personal
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Chapters 1-10
CHAPTERS 1 5 1. What does the narrator name his brothers and sister? 2. How does the puppy know his mother is afraid of humans? 3. What can you predict will happen to Hungry? Why? 4. Why doesnt the puppy like the garbage truck? 5. How is the last sentence of chapter one an example of foreshadowing? 6. Can you guess the rescue workers ethnicity? What are your clues? 7. How does Tobys mother get out of the pen? 8. What is Sisters condition when she is brought to the Yard? Why do you think she is in such a condition? 9. Why is Toby put in a collar after surgery? 10. How is the hierarchy of dogs maintained in
the Yard? What dog challenges it? What is the result? 11. 12. What does Spike do to Toby? At the end of chapter four, what does Toby
13.
the end of chapter four? 14. When Toby wakes, he says it is at once
strange and familiar. How is it strange and how is it familiar? 15. Why do you think the new man shows a
How does the puppy escape? Why is Fella left in the truck? Why is Fellas time in the truck nearly fatal?
18.
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CHAPTERS 6 10 1. 2. What kind of dog is Fella now? What does the puppy consider to be the
most wonderful concept in the world? 3. 4. Who names the puppy? How does Bailey learn his place in the
angry about the mess he makes in the garage? 7. How do you feel when you read the end of
chapter seven? Can you make any predictions about Todd and Bailey? 8. 9. 10. How would you describe Todd? How does Bailey get out of Todds house? One day, the noise from the bus is louder
than usual. What is happening on this day? 11. 12. 13. 14. What does Bailey like about the farm? Why is Bailey humiliated at the farm? How does Bailey get the nickname Doodle? How does Bailey learn the game he names
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15.
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Chapters 11-20
Chapter 11 1. How does Bailey support Ethan when Ethan
he takes Flare out for a ride. Why does this confuse Bailey and what do you predict might happen on their adventure? 3. 4. 5. What causes Flare to scream? What does Ethan build with sticks? Why is Bailey worried about Ethan? What is
it about Ethans condition that alarms Bailey? 6. How does Bailey compare Ethan to his
brother, Hungry? 7. Chapter 12 1. 2. The farm is located in what state? How does Grandpa reward Bailey after How does Bailey help save Ethan?
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4.
Todd? What might this suggest about the history of Drake and Todds relationship to the neighborhood kids? 6. Why does Todd throw a rock through
Ethans window?
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Chapter 13 1. 2. Why does Bailey dig up Smokey? Why doesnt Ethan participate in the
childhood activities that he used to? Why would this be confusing to a dog?
3.
between Hannah and Ethan? What do you think is his motivation for doing so? 4. Why does Bailey growl at Todd while Todd is
that Bailey finds in his yard? Chapter 14 1. 2. What does Bailey think of Felix? How well does Bailey interpret the emotions
that human beings have? Give examples. 3. How does Bailey know that something is
wrong when he returns to his home after one of his night time adventures? 4. Chapter 15 1. What is Baileys least favorite command?
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2. ball? 3.
fur and stick it in a plastic bag? 4. 5. How is Bailey a hero? What happens to Todd?
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from the hospital and how is his mood? 3. How would you describe the relationship
between Ethans mother and father? 4. When was the only time that Ethans leg
doesnt give him any pain? 5. Why does Ethan stay at the Farm instead of
returning home to go to school? 6. 7. What kind of job does Ethan get? At the end of chapter 16, Ethan has to leave
Bailey. Where is he going and how do you predict this will change their relationship? Chapter 17 1. At the beginning of chapter 17, Bailey feels
betrayed; why? 2. 3. What does Bailey dream about? When Ethan watches Hannah at track
practice, he is suddenly angry. His anger spills over into the conversation he has with Hannah. What is he angry about?
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4.
Ethans mother and father is over? 5. 6. What is Baileys favorite time of day? Why? When Bailey gets sick, he can sense tension
from Ethans mother. Bailey seems to will himself to wait for something. What is happening to Bailey and what is he waiting for? 7. When Bailey is put to sleep, how does he
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as a puppy? 2. 3. Why is Bailey astonished at his new gender? What kind of tests does Jakob perform on
the puppy? What do you think he is looking for? 4. What kind of dog is Bailey now and what is
people wanted. How is this demonstrated in our lives today? Do people use dogs? Do people (in general) give anything to dogs?
6.
broken inside of Jakob? How does this affect their relationship? 8. 9. What is Ellie being trained to do? Using context clues, can you guess what year
it is now? How much time has passed since Ethan was a boy? 10. Foreshadowing is used at the end of this
search dog to find an Alzheimer patient? 2. In chapter 19, the reader discovers the
reason for Jakobs sadness. What is it and how does Ellie respond to it? 3. How do we know that Ellie is now living in
California? What are the clues? 4. Why does Ellie become a front seat dog in
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Bailey to capture the bad man? 2. 3. What happens to Jakob? When Amy puts Ellie is the kennel, Ellie
thinks she has been a bad dog; why? 4. When Maya says that she would hate to let
Ellie down, we can predict what her relationship to Ellie may be. What is it?
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Chapters 21 32
Chapter 21 1. Ellie has a vocabulary of words she
understands some from being the previous two dogs; some she has learned as a rescue dog. What are some words that she understands? 2. 3. What does Ellie think about cats? Describe Ellies life with Maya. How is it
different than what she has known? 4. Why doesnt Maya think she is good to
enough to work with Ellie? Chapter 22 1. What was the surprise Maya had for Ellie
and how does she react? 2. Why does Ellie feel conflicted when she is
certification is too hard, Jakob responds with anger. What do we learn about Jakobs past and how does this motivate Maya? 4. How does Ellie know that she wont be
working with Jakob anymore? 5. Why does Ellie miss the boy more when she
6.
know from textual clues that an earthquake has taken place. What are these textual clues? 7. Why does Maya ask Vernon to play find
with Ellie after Ellie has found four bodies? 8. Ellie finds a woman who is alive, but in the
rescue, Ellie is hurt. How is she hurt and what do you predict will happen to her job as a result?
of chapter 24 and how is Ellie involved? 2. Who is Alyssa and what is her relationship
to Ellie? 3. again? 4. Why is Ellie semi-retired and where does Why is Jakob different when Ellie sees him
Ellie and Maya give their presentations? 5. What happens to Geoffrey and how does
Ellie find him? Chapter 25 1. How does Ellie save Geoffrey and what
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2.
she knows that she will be leaving Maya and the family soon. She reflects on her past lives, and what is her conclusion about how she has spent them? 3. Why does Ellie believe she has finally served
her purpose, and how does she think her other lives helped her accomplish her goals? 4. Why is the vets office so familiar to Ellie
and how does she feel armed with Mayas love at the end of her life? Chapter 26 1. Why is Ellie so surprised to be reborn as a
puppy again? 2. 3. 4. Why does Ellie feel like a bad dog? What emotion does Ellie feel from Derek? What kind of pet owner is Wendi? Why is
this confusing to the puppy? 5. How does Bear come to live with Wendis
mother? Do you think this will be a better relationship than living with Wendi? Why or why not? Chapter 27
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1.
bite Victor and why is the thought of attacking humans so abhorrent to the dog? 2. Who is kind to Bear when he lives with Lisa
and Victor? 3. 4. Why does Lisa get a fine for $50? What does Victor do to Bear and why does
Bear feel guilty and sad when he is left alone? 5. Why is the end of this chapter hopeful?
Bear decipher the clues about where he was? 2. Why does the dog feel adrift when he is
cut off from humans? 3. Why does the dog feel that his appearance
may resemble that of his first mother? What does he attribute this to? 4. Why does the dog feel drawn to the old man
1.
capture? 2. Farm? 3. How is the passage of time evident when How does Jasper help Bailey find the
Bailey finds Ethan? Chapter 30 1. Why do you think Ethan changes his mind
about adopting out the black dog? 2. At first, the lady at the shelter is angry
with Ethan when he comes to claim the dog. What causes her to change her attitude? 3. How does the dog get his new name and what
does he discover when he searches Ethans home? Chapter 31 1. 2. Why is Ethan sad? How does Buddycompare Ethans sadness
Why is his reasoning somewhat flawed? 4. Why does Buddy go to the park without
Ethan? Do you think Buddy planned to find Carly, the dog who smelled like Hannah?
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5.
the end of the chapter; why? Chapter 32 1. 2. 3. Why does Buddy think that Carly is stupid? How does life change for Ethan and Buddy? What does Buddy sense is wrong with
Ethan? 4. 5. Why is the flip important in this chapter? Do you think that Ethan knows that Buddy is
really Bailey? Why or why not? 6. 7. How does Bailey feel at the end? Do you think it is possible that dogs live
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MOTIVATING ACTIVITIES
1.
serve them? Think of all the different ways we use dogs, and what breeds we choose. Is it a coincidence that Ellie was a German Shepherd and Buddy was a black Lab? Is it a coincidence that Labradors are often used as guide dogs? Does Buddy guide Ethan to happiness?
2.
to compare Ethan, Jakob, and Maya. How are their needs for a dog different? How are their needs similar?
4.
show the differences between a Feral dog and a Domesticated dog; how are they different? Research when and how dogs were domesticated.
5.
objective is to get Bailey home. Devise a system for getting around the board and introduce the other characters into the game.
6.
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explains the dangers a dog faces when released into the wild or unknown territory.
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Grammar Connections
Writing with Adverbs Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They answer the questions where, when, how, and to what extent. They are commonly formed by adding ly to an adjective. Create adverbs from the following words taken from the novel: Subservient + ______ Submissive + ______ Contemptuous + _____ Laborious + _____ Instinctive + _____ Impassive + _____ Solemn + ______ Lethargic + _____ Languid + _____ Bleary + _____ Teaching Tip: To understand how affixes create new words, explain the use of derivational morphemes. Morphemes are units of meaning. An addition of ed to a verb will create a new verb because it will show tense. The use of ly or ily added to words will create adverbs. In the word unceremoniously there are several morphemes. See if your students can identify how many morphemes exist in this word and what the prefixes and suffixes mean. Demonstrate how the words they learn from this novel, such as furtive and haughty may be used as descriptors, but that creating adverbs from the same words, i.e. furtively and haughtily modify the actions of others; hence, they ADD to the VERB. (Adverbs)
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Georgia Lee Cameron along the creek with her own rescued dog, Duchess
authors daughter, Georgia Lee Cameron, is a 28 year old woman living in Denver who realized that her passion for animal welfare and rescue was more than a hobby - it was a cause. In 2005 she collaborated with a dog trainer to start Nikenos Second Chances (NSC Rescue), an animal rescue organization specializing in training and education throughout the re-homing process. NSC is non-kill and strives to save as many adoptable dogs, cats and livestock from euthanasia as possible with their budget and space constraints. While they have funds to help with everyday care and emergencies, the ability to bring animals to proper health, have them altered, micro-chipped and vaccinated is the largest cost in the budget.
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There are several animals that have been a part of NSC Rescue that would have been written off at other shelters. They take death-row transfers from kill-shelters, un-socialized strays that have never had human interaction and family pets that are now, for whatever reason, unwanted by their owners. They deal primarily with adult and elderly dogs because the greatest need is for services in those populations, but have not turned away puppies when they have been brought to the door. Cats and kittens have recently joined the ranks and in 2009 they accounted for over half of NSC's successful adoptions. While ideally NSC is just a brief stopping point for these animals before they find their forever home, some have been in the program from as little as a few days up to almost a year. Every adoptable animal deserves a second chance and NSC's mission is to help these pets achieve success. NSC works with local veterinarians to ensure that all are well taken care of. This includes vaccinating, micro-chipping and providing basic medical care. When necessary, extensive therapy for those that are sick or injured is also provided. All the animals in the program are spayed and neutered, and NSC will also provide long term assistance for special needs animals adopted through the shelter on a case by case basis. Additionally, because NSC has its roots in behavioral training, they are able to provide modification for problem animals through in-depth therapy rather than expensive medications. NSC primarily works with the local Colorado Front Range community; 45
however have accepted transfers from the surrounding states of Texas, New Mexico, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Kansas, as well the entire state of Colorado as a whole. NSC started as a response to the unfulfilled need for professional assistance during the dog adoption process. While numerous people are willing to adopt shelter animals, many times the combination of untrained dogs and unknowledgeable owners leads to returned or unwanted animals. By giving the dogs structured training throughout the adoption process, the chance of successful adoption is greatly increased. NSC provides the necessary tools for shelter dogs to lead positive, well-mannered lives in the homes they find themselves. They receive personalized behavioral modification from the moment they join the NSC program. This includes animals that are placed for private adoption, ones that are rescued from abusive situations or as strays, animals from municipal shelters that are on death-row, and also those that are placed in foster homes for more thorough training. NSC makes certain that after adoption the dogs adapt properly to their situations by requiring all prospective adoptive families to go through a personalized four week instruction program. This ensures that the animals are maintaining their training and that the owners are able to address any issues before they actually become problems. Educating the owner is as important as educating the animal. By providing a greater understanding of basic dog communication, NSC 46
eliminates the later issues often encountered by new owners. NSC provides the framework for these animals to be polite and behaved members of society. The new owners fulfill this task with help of NSCs guidance and schooling. Creating an animal rescue is both easy and difficult. Anyone can be an advocate of shelter animals and animal welfare. By offering to volunteer with local rescue agencies and fostering adoptable animals, people can get involved to the degree that best suits them. For those that want to take a step further, there are a few key steps that must be undertaken in order to properly run. The organization will need to be incorporated The organization will need to obtain insurance and a department of agriculture license in order to house any more animals than the legal limit. Successfully filing a 501 application is critical so that supporters can make tax deductible donations. From there the organization it will grow at the rate one puts work into it. NSC has grown substantially over the last several years, in part because of a few key volunteers and because of the foundation in training. The benefits are many one gets to rescue the animals one feels are worthy and to direct ones efforts where they are most needed. For more information on NSC Rescue - please see our website www.NSCrescue.org or email Georgia@NSCrescue.org
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