10
-NiE ,
11 OCTOBER 2017
ADVANCED
A
Novel
to the end
NiE Activity 1 Creative thinking
Critical thinking ● Identify
● Reason
● Imagine
● Connect
Problem solving ● Present
Communicating
● Recreate
One of Newt’s oldest friends is Cecil Butterworth. He is the only one in Newt’s class who is shorter and skinnier than Newt is. Cecil is very witty and is always full of ideas. He has, however, a tendency to be outspoken at times. He is also known to be impulsive. Another good friend and classmate of Newt’s is Juanita Josephina Gonzalez (JJ). She is known as the walking dictionary because of her
● Non-verbal
● Written
Collaborating ● Listen
● Contribute respectfully
THIS is a story by Dean Pitchford about Newton Newman who takes on the persona of Captain Nobody, which is incidentally the title of the novel. Unlike his popular football star brother Chris, 10-year-old Newton (or Newt) has never been regarded as particularly special, let alone a hero. An unfortunate family event turns things around for Newt. By the end of the story, and to his own surprise, Newt finds himself becoming a real hero through his alter ego, Captain Nobody.
amazing vocabulary. Although she is creative, intelligent and the tallest girl in the fourth grade, like Newt and Cecil, she is also not often noticed by the other children in school. Both JJ and Cecil show great thoughtfulness and genuine concern for Newt and try hard to help him through the trying period when Chris lies in a coma in hospital.
Read the following extract from the novel. In groups of four, scan The Star. Look for three people (in the form of pictures or names) who you think would make suitable “sidekicks” for Captain Nobody. Cut them out and paste them on a sheet of A4 paper. Write three reasons for your choices next to each selection. When you have finished, take turns to present your “potential sidekicks” to the rest of the class. You can then have a class vote to select the top three sidekicks for Captain Nobody.
“So, here’s what we gotta do,” Cecil announced. “From now on, you’re gonna be Captain Nobody, and we’re gonna be your… your…” He whipped around to JJ. “What’d you say they call those guys?” JJ quickly answered, “Sidekicks.” “Sidekicks. Exactly!” Cecil whooped. “So, you’re gonna be the one who has adventures, and we’re gonna be the ones by your side. Kickin’. Like Batman has Robin, y’know? Or Superman has Jimmy Aspirin.”
NiE Activity 2 Critical thinking ● Identify
● Reason
Creative thinking
Communicating ● Oral
● Written
JJ defines Captain Nobody’s role as The Champion of the Downtrodden. Do you know any other person or group who can be in some way regarded as “The Downtrodden”? In groups of four, scan The Star for any picture, article, phrase or report related to an individual or group of people who have, in some way, acted as “Champions of the Downtrodden.” Cut it out and paste it on a sheet of A4 paper. Write a brief description about what they have done to deserve the title. Finally, take turns reading your findings out to the rest of the class.
Problem solving
● Brainstorm ● Connect
● Question
● Present
Collaborating ● Contribute respectfully
● Listen
EXAMPLE
NiE Activity 3 Critical thinking ● Identify
● Reason
Creative thinking ● Imagine
● Invent
Problem solving ● Question
● Recreate
Communicating ● Oral
Newt shares a close bond with his elder brother, Chris. Newt admires and loves Chris and doesn’t really mind the fact that the attention always seems to be on his football star brother. Although Newt is a creative and talented artist, he is often ignored. At the beginning of the story, readers are made aware that few people seem to know that Chris has a younger brother. By the end of the story, however, Newt makes a name for himself. Read this conversation between Chris and Newt from the end of the novel.
● Aural
Collaborating ● Contribute ● Compromise respectfully
“I met this sweet old couple who had read all about your amazing feats. They had driven in from out of state just to be there. I was introduced to them as Chris Newman, and this little, grey-haired lady looks up at me and says, ‘Who?’” “She did not!” I exclaimed. “She did,” Chris insisted, “And so I said, ‘Chris Newman? I am Newt Newman’s older brother.’ And this lady looks at me in the face and says, ‘Hmm. I didn’t know Newt Newman had an older brother.’”
EXAMPLE In groups of four, scan The Star for someone (in the form of a picture, name or reference) who is not the main character of any report, news article or story. Cut it out and paste it on a sheet of A4 paper. Think of ways this person can become an important character in the story. Write your suggestions down on the same page. You may also do a “makeover” sketch for this person. When you have finished take turns to role-play this transformation to the rest of the class.