Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“The Neighborhood”

In this activity, students will use details and symbolism to create a map of the neighborhood of the novel.

Each chapter of Look Both Ways tells a different story, but the stories overlap and connect; they also take place in the same neighborhood. Using details from the novel and symbolism, create a map of the novel’s setting.

• Review details from the novel to sketch a map of each setting described in the stories.
• Add and label characters in places that are meaningful to them.
• Add and label additional details, especially those mentioned in multiple stories.
• Consider ways to include symbolism in your map: placement, images, colors, and sizes.
• Based on your sketched draft, create your final version of the map.
• Prepare to share in the class gallery walk.

Present your project in a gallery walk and view your peers’ projects.

Write and post shout-outs for at least two of your peers, praising their projects and what they illuminated about the novel.

Teaching Suggestion: Creating a map of the setting can guide students to identify connections between different stories. Some locations and details like the school hallway, the rose bush, and the school bus appear in multiple stories. Incorporating symbolism provides students with opportunities to reach the higher levels of Bloom’s taxonomy (e.g., evaluate and create). Brainstorming together and sharing ideas as readers progress through the activity can provide practice with interpersonal skills and lead students to build meaning together.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students with musical talents and learning styles might incorporate lyrics or another form of musical connection in their maps. To extend the rigor, students might write or present to the class an analysis of the setting’s impact on the novel’s themes.

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. The various stories reference in different ways a bus falling from the sky.

• What is the significance of including a bus dropping out of the sky in each story? (topic sentence)
• Choose the 3 stories in which this bus reference offers the most meaning and support for your topic sentence. As you write your essay, analyze and discuss these references, supplying details to illustrate your points.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain how this image relates to the title of the novel.

2. The novel offers brief glimpses into the lives of numerous characters.

• Which character changes the most in the novel? (topic sentence)
• Develop an argument to prove this character changes the most. Determine 3 points of proof for your choice and discuss and analyze each using evidence and details from the text. Don’t forget to look to chapters other than the one in which your chosen character appears for help in making your argument.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, provide a logical prediction for this character’s future based on text details.

3. While the chapters function as stand-alone stories, they also intertwine with each other.

• What is the effect on the reader of the stories referencing details in other stories and characters crossing paths? (topic sentence)
• As you discuss and analyze your points, incorporate at least 3 quotations and additional details that support your topic sentence.
• In your conclusion, evaluate the effectiveness of this style choice on the development of the themes.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Reflect on Chapter 2, “The Low Cuts Strike Again.” How does the way Reynolds tells the story develop Bit’s character? Why does Bit work so hard to get more money all day? How does Bit overturn stereotypes? Craft a 3- or 5-paragraph essay analyzing how Bit subverts stereotypes and builds the theme of The Power of Perspective. Refer to story details and incorporate cited quotations to support your points.

2. Consider the novel’s style and technique. How does the structure of the novel build meaning? What perspective are the stories written in? What is the effect of developing each chapter as an independent story and incorporating connections between chapters? What additional style choices emerge as particularly important? Write a 3- or 5-paragraph essay analyzing the style of the novel and how it advances ideas about characters and themes. Use story details and examples to develop your ideas.

3. Names of characters can convey deeper meaning and serve the purpose of indirect characterization. In a well-structured paragraph, discuss several character names that help to develop the character. How do these character names and naming in general add meaning to the novel? Use story details and cited quotations to develop your ideas.

Multiple Choice and Long Answer Questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, exams, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following does Bit most value?

A) Family

B) Honesty

C) Safety

D) Education

2. What do Cynthia and her grandfather have in common?

A) Their love of sports, especially soccer

B) Their way of making people laugh

C) Their appreciation of nature

D) Their advanced math ability

3. Which of the following best describes the relationship between Simeon and Kenzi?

A) Kenzi and Simeon met recently and initially distrusted each other.

B) Kenzi and Simeon compete together each year in the school spelling bee.

C) Simeon and Kenzi laugh at the same things but do not share regarding serious topics.

D) Simeon and Kenzi have grown up together and defend each other.

4. How does Benni affect Fatima?

A) Benni interrupts Fatima’s ability to predict her day and inspires her to try something new.

B) Benni offers to tutor Fatima in science and opens her eyes to the wonders around her neighborhood.

C) Benni challenges Fatima to think about an opportunity at a nearby school, which leads to a scholarship.

D) Benni reminds Fatima about being on time for school, leading to Fatima’s first-period grade improving.

5. What best describes the relationship between Canton and his mom?

A) Canton and his mom rarely see each other, so they make the most of the time together.

B) Canton’s mom is overprotective, and Canton defies her.

C) Canton and his mom plan their summer vacation as they walk home each day.

D) Canton worries about his mom, and she genuinely listens to him.

6. Of these, which idea best describes what Pia’s skateboard means to her?

A) Uncertainty

B) Hope

C) Creativity

D) Freedom

7. How does the friendship between Bryson and Ty shift?

A) They see each other every day and then drift apart after a disagreement.

B) They know each other from camp and then become neighbors.

C) They respect each other’s video game skills and then support each other through bullying.

D) They are acquaintances because of tutoring and then develop a shared love of movies.

8. Which of the following most develops the theme of The Power of Perspective?

A) Jasmine’s sickle cell anemia

B) Fatima’s journal and walk home

C) Bit’s reputation and reality

D) Satchmo’s mom’s new job

9. Which literary device does this quotation include?

“A school bus is a paintbrush painting the world a blurry brushstroke.” (Chapter 10)

A) Simile

B) Metaphor

C) Hyperbole

D) Irony

10. What do TJ and Jasmine have in common?

A) They both have experienced hardships in their families.

B) They both play the tuba in the school band and love video games.

C) They both travel to their grandparents each spring break.

D) They both write poetry to share.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. How are appearances different from reality for Satchmo?

2. What are 2-3 connections woven throughout all of the stories?