10
Activities:
1. This chapter introduces some new terms and jargon to us: Trained by, furlongs, maiden, homestretch, jockey, etc.
These terms belong to the horse breeding and racing culture. Research horse racing or some other job, career or hobby
that you know little about but have an interest in. Then, write an introduction to it in the spirit of the “Dummies” series,
(Money for Dummies, Computers for Dummies, etc).
2. This story has introduced a new industry to us – horse farms, racing and breeding. What are some jobs that you did not
know about before this story. The newspaper industry also has a lot of careers in it that you may not be aware of.
Look through today’s newspaper and identify the various groups of people who worked together to get the newspaper
delivered to you. While you peruse the newspaper, look at each section – go beyond articles and photographs, who else
is part of the newspaper team? Here are a few to get you started: copy editor, editor, online designer, sales team,
marketing team, single copy delivery, kiosk sales, journalist. Then, select one that you think you would be good at.
Think about the different skills that it would take to do it. Research it by going online or calling the newspaper.
Write a letter of introduction that describes the skills you possess for the newspaper position.
CHAPTER 15: THE BROKEN CIRCLE
EALRS
Reading:
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2
Writing:
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5
Communication:
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3
Pre-reading Questions:
1. How are the title of the story and chapter similar? Different?
2. Who is your favorite character in the story? Why?
3. Which character is most interesting to you?
4. Which character have you changed your opinion about?
5. Who do you predict will win the race?
6. Aside from the race, are there any other plot lines that need to be resolved? If so, which ones and how do you want
them to end?
Post-reading Questions:
1. Who wins the race? Was it a close race or not?
2. In the beginning of the chapter, Ben feels like he is a “winner”. What does that mean?
3. Ben ends up feeling alone and left out because he was not invited to be in the winner’s picture. What are some ways
Ben could have changed the outcome of that incident?
4. After this chapter, you should be able to explain the title of the story, “A Winner’s Circle.” How would you explain the
title to someone who is just beginning to read the story?
5. Why does Ben run away from the uniformed trooper?
Activities:
1. Write the next chapter of the story using what you know about Ben, Joe and the Brennans.
2. Look through today’s headlines. Find two that make you want to read the article and two that do inspire you to read
the article. What is the difference between the ones you like and ones you don’t. Read one of the articles that
with headline that is not inviting. After you read it, rewrite the headline so that more readers will read it.
