Touching Spirit Bear

We have finished reading our novel, Touching Spirit Bear. Today we began work on the following journaling task:

Cole carved certain animals that represent how he felt and what he has learned while on the island. What kind of animal(s) would you carve if you had to describe how you are feeling right now or what life lessons you have learned up to this point in your journey? Draw your visual on a journal page and write a brief explanation of why you chose a specific animal(s). Think about Cole’s story and his journey…he has done a lot of thinking and looking deeply at who he is. Be thoughtful and truthful to your journey and your story. One whole journal page…colours, shading, highlights…whatever you feel would best represent you.

Also, many students did not complete and/or hand in reader response questions related to Chapter 24, 25 and 26... these must be completed (in journals or on paper) and handed in by Thursday.

Clear, succinct answers to show your understanding of the novel are required and when suitable, provide an example or evidence from the novel to support your answer.

TOUCHING SPIRIT BEAR - Chapter 24 questions

1. What does Cole note about being angry at the opening of the chapter?

2. Cole learns that if he cannot help the person he wronged, he should then help somebody else. What does he correctly speculate about Edwin and Garvey?

3. Cole spots the Spirit Bear every few days now. What does this indicate about the change in Cole?

4. When Cole starts thinking about his return to Minneapolis, what is he concerned about? Why is this unusual?

5. Peter twice attempts to commit suicide, and Cole believes the answer to Peter’s problems is to have him spend time on the island. Why does Cole think this is a good idea, and do you think that it will work?

6. Cole attempts to carve the bottom of the totem pole several times in this chapter, but cannot find an appropriate symbol for him getting over his anger. What do you think Cole should carve?

TOUCHING SPIRIT BEAR - Chapter 25 questions

1. What is Cole’s idea to cure Peter’s depression? How does Edwin react to this suggestion?

2. Do you think it is a good idea for Peter to visit the island? Why or why not?

3. About two weeks after Cole’s suggestion, who arrives on the island?

4. Peter blurts “Leave me alone. I don’t want your help!” to Cole. How is this situation similar to Cole’s initial feelings about Garvey and Edwin? How is it different?

TOUCHING SPIRIT BEAR - Chapter 26 questions

1. Peter does not want to sleep in the cabin with Cole. What arrangements are made for Cole’s living quarters while Peter is on the island?

2. Do you think that Edwin purposely brought a leaky tent? Why or why not?

3. Peter shows some signs of embracing Cole’s island practices. What are these?

4. Why do you think Peter threw the rock at Cole and later tossed him into the water?