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PRESENTED BYMiddle School Discussion QuestionsHURRICANEAuthor/Illustrator John Roccowww.ReadingMakesCents.com

Lesson Plan By:Lynne F. Stoverstoverlf@jmu.edu HurricaneAuthor/Illustrator John RoccoLittle Brown & Co./2021STORY SYNOPSIS: After a devastating hurricane, an unnamedyoung boy asks for help rebuilding theneighborhood dock, his favorite place inthe world. However, he finds that hisneighbors need help with their property’scleanup first. Afterward, he sets to repairthe dock himself, using determination,creativity, and readily available resources.The neighbors are impressed with his workethic. They join him in his efforts, and a newdock that can be enjoyed by thecommunity is soon constructed.

Lesson Plan By:Lynne F. Stoverstoverlf@jmu.eduMiddle School Discussion QuestionsReading Makes Cents 2022-2023HurricaneThe unnamed boy in this story lives near the water and loves to fish off his favoritedock. Can you name at least three places in Virginia this story could have takenplace? [Possible responses: Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay, James River, YorkRiver, Potomac River, Rappahannock River, Lake Drummond and/or the DismalSwamp. (VS.2c)] All choices have costs (negative effects) and benefits (positive effects). What are theboy’s costs of helping his neighbors clean up their damage after the hurricane?[His costs include the time and effort it took him to help them, thus keeping himfrom making his own repairs on the damaged dock.]What benefits did the boy incur by helping his neighbors clean up their damageafter the hurricane? [He earned their goodwill. When they saw how hard he wasworking to make repairs by himself, they joined him. Their added skills anddonated materials help create an improved dock that the entire community couldenjoy.] What was the boy’s incentive to repair the damaged dock? [He wanted to be ableto enjoy fishing, crabbing, swimming, and watching the wildlife. He wanted thingsto go back to the way they were before the hurricane.] The boy in this story is young, but he is already displaying some interests and skillsthat may influence his future career. What career path do you think the boy maypursue when he gets older? [Possible responses: community organizer, fisherman,dock designer, oceanographer, nature writer, meteorologist] 1.2.3.4.5.Introduction: Show the cover of the book to the students. Inform them that this is astory about a boy who likes to fish off a dock near his home. He wants to help othersand needs to make a decision concerning his best choice. Instruct the students tolisten carefully as they will be asked questions after the book is read. Read the bookand ask the following questions.

Lesson Plan By:Lynne F. Stoverstoverlf@jmu.eduReading Makes Cents 2022-2023Hurricane The book’s endpapers include informative illustrations titled “How aHurricane is Formed” and “The Parts of a Dock.” Why do you think theauthor/illustrator included these in a picture book about a young boyovercoming the aftermath of a natural disaster? [The author/illustratormay have been interested in these topics. He may want the reader toconsider doing research on climate conditions and dock constructionprocedures. He, himself may have been interested in these topics andwanted to share his knowledge.] What other topics does the content of this book inspire the reader to findmore information about? [Possible topics include: fishing, sea life, stormpreparation, weather forecasting, and climate change.]Enrichment Question: 1.2.A hurricane is an example of an extreme climatic event. How can such eventsaffect the distribution of goods and services? [The destruction a hurricanecauses can destroy schools, hospitals, factories, roads, and bridges. It may bedifficult to find needed food, shelter, medicine, and clean water. Because thesegoods and services are scarce, they may become expensive or impossible toobtain. The government may need to provide needed goods and services.] 6.