11
CHAPTER 16: FIRE!
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. The name of this chapter is “Fire.” What do you think will catch on fire? How will it catch on fire?
2. Many stories have a “moral” or lesson for readers to learn. What do you think the lesson will be for this story? Why?
3. Earlier in the story Joe tells Ben that parents determine the success of someone; Rachel told Ben that Mr. Brennan does
not think that parents determine who someone is or can be. Which do you think Ben believes?
4. What happened at the end of chapter 15?
Post-reading Questions:
1. In your own words, how did Ben feel after finding out that Mr. Brennan was looking for him and wanted him to be in
the picture?
2. Was Gogo a thoroughbred? How do you know?
3. Mr. Brennan says, “Just when you think you’ve got it all planned, some nobody you never heard of comes from behind
and surprises the pants off you.” He is referring to a race horse but what else could he be making a statement about?
4. Mr. Brennan shares some wisdom with Ben. What do you think is the wisest sentence he says in this chapter.
Why do you feel this way?
5. What happens at the end of chapter 16 that sets the scene for chapter 17?
Activities:
1. Mr. Brennan provides a lot of wisdom and comfort to Ben. Is there anyone in your life who does that for you? Write an
article about that person in your life who inspires you to do your best. The article should describe the person as well
as provide inspirational quotes from the individual.
2. In The Seattle Times, locate an article that describes an event and gives an opinion about it (try the Sports section).
Then, find an article that tells the story but does not provide the journalists opinion. These two types of articles are
opinion and hard news/feature articles respectively. Discuss the difference between the two. What is the benefit of
having each type of article in a newspaper? Choose one and write either an opinion or feature/hard news article about
some event or person in The Winner’s Circle story.
CHAPTER 17: DEATH OF A FIRE-BUG
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. What is a “fire-bug?”
2. How do you think Ben is feeling about being at the Brennans after the last chapter?
3. How has Ben changed since he arrived at the Wind Rider Farm?
4. What questions about Ben or anyone else in the story would you like answered?
