The Scarlet Ibis Discussion Guide

Check Test: True or False 1. The narrator’s mother wonders whether or not the sickly child is “all there”. 1. The narrator’s mother wonders whether or not the sickly child is “all there”. 2. The narrator nicknames his brother Doodle because Doodle likes the song “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” 2. The narrator nicknames his brother Doodle because Doodle likes the song “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” 3. The narrator teaches Doodle to walk because Aunt Nicey insists on it. 3. The narrator teaches Doodle to walk because Aunt Nicey insists on it. 4. Doodle buries the dead scarlet ibis by himself. 4. Doodle buries the dead scarlet ibis by himself. 5. The narrator leaves Doodle behind in a rainstorm and returns to find him dead. 5. The narrator leaves Doodle behind in a rainstorm and returns to find him dead.

Connecting to the Theme What does the narrator discover at the end of the story? What does the narrator discover at the end of the story?

Discussion The narrator is embarrassed because his brother Doodle is not normal or like everyone else. Is it fair to assume that those who are different have to be "like everyone else" to be accepted by society or successful in life? The narrator is embarrassed because his brother Doodle is not normal or like everyone else. Is it fair to assume that those who are different have to be "like everyone else" to be accepted by society or successful in life?

DISABILITY CELEBRITY QUIZ DISABILITY CELEBRITY QUIZ Many important people have had forms of learning disabilities. Try to match the description with the name of the important person in the list below. Remember, if they can cope with their disability and succeed, others can too! Many important people have had forms of learning disabilities. Try to match the description with the name of the important person in the list below. Remember, if they can cope with their disability and succeed, others can too! A. Albert Einstein E. Harriet Tubman H. Magic Johnson A. Albert Einstein E. Harriet Tubman H. Magic Johnson B. Ludwig BeethovenF. George Patton I. Tom Cruise B. Ludwig BeethovenF. George Patton I. Tom Cruise C. Franklin D. RooseveltG. Whoopi Goldberg J. James Earl Jones C. Franklin D. RooseveltG. Whoopi Goldberg J. James Earl Jones D. Mel Tillis D. Mel Tillis ______ 1.This composer was deaf when he composed his 9th Symphony. ______ 1.This composer was deaf when he composed his 9th Symphony. ______ 2.Although paralyzed from polio, this man became governor of new York and ______ 2.Although paralyzed from polio, this man became governor of new York and was elected president four times. was elected president four times. ______ 3.Known as Darth Vader in Star Wars, this actor overcame stuttering in high school. ______ 3.Known as Darth Vader in Star Wars, this actor overcame stuttering in high school. ______ 4.This Sister Act actress has dyslexia but has succeeded in a movie career. ______ 4.This Sister Act actress has dyslexia but has succeeded in a movie career. ______ 5.A mathematician and physicist who did not speak until the age of three. ______ 5.A mathematician and physicist who did not speak until the age of three. Math and writing were difficult for him. Math and writing were difficult for him. ______ 6.Struck by an overseer as a child, a fractured skull caused this abolitionist to ______ 6.Struck by an overseer as a child, a fractured skull caused this abolitionist to have narcolepsy the rest of her life. She rescued hundreds of slaves on the have narcolepsy the rest of her life. She rescued hundreds of slaves on the Underground Railroad. Underground Railroad. ______ 7.This actor is unable to read even today because of dyslexia. He learns lines ______ 7.This actor is unable to read even today because of dyslexia. He learns lines by listening to tapes. by listening to tapes. ______ 8. Famous for his athletic skill on the basketball court, this athlete has a ______ 8. Famous for his athletic skill on the basketball court, this athlete has a reading disability. reading disability. ______ 9.This war hero could not read until the age of twelve, but he became a famous ______ 9.This war hero could not read until the age of twelve, but he became a famous general in World War II. general in World War II. ______ 10.This country music entertainer developed humorous routines about his ______ 10.This country music entertainer developed humorous routines about his stuttering. stuttering.

Group Activity – Plot Summary In small groups, complete the following. Everyone should turn in a paper! In at least one paragraph, summarize the plot of the story. Be sure to: ___ State the title & author within the paragraph (20 pts) ___ State the title & author within the paragraph (20 pts) ___ Include all the story's most important events (20 pts) ___ Include all the story's most important events (20 pts) ___ Summarize the events in the order in which they occur (20 pts) ___ Summarize the events in the order in which they occur (20 pts) ___Explain how one event causes or leads to another (20 pts) ___Explain how one event causes or leads to another (20 pts) ___Write at least 8 sentences (20 pts) ___Write at least 8 sentences (20 pts)