1. Raymond’s Run
By Toni Bambara

2. Toni Cade Bambara 1939 - 1995 Born in Harlem, NY
Graduated from Queens College at 20
Degree in Theater Arts/English
Began teaching at City College in 1965
Feminist
Editor of two anthologies
The Black Woman
Tales and Stories of Black Folk
Wrote the novels
Gorilla, My Love
The Salt Eaters
Deep Sightings and
Rescue Missions
Those Bones Are Not My
Child
Film Director, academy award for Best Documentary
“The Bombing of Osage Avenue”
Died of colon cancer in 1995

3. Something to think about…
What responsibility should individuals have toward their family and community?

4. Ambition What is it? Is it good or bad to be ambitious?
With your elbow partner discuss individuals who have succeeded because they were ambitious.
Describe what being ambitious looks like.

5. Raymond’s Run Vocabulary
Words
Meanings
Relay
Clutch
Prodigy
Sidekick
Periscope
Admiring
Liable
ambition
A series of people or things taking turns
To grasp or hold tightly
A person with exceptional talent
A close friend
A tube shaped optical device
To feel wonder, pleasure or approval
To be legally responsible
To aspire to something

6. definition
Part of speech
synonyms
word
sentence
Related words
picture

7. A behavior or belief that is passed on to other generations
Custom
Practice
Habit
Convention usage
Noun
tradition
Many families celebrate the holidays with personal traditions.
Custom
Practice
Belief
Heritage
ritual
picture

8. Harlem
Harlem has been home to a variety of ethnic groups, black and white, since the turn of the twentieth century. As the ethnic landscape has changed, cultural and religious buildings have been reshaped to serve the evolving populations. Harlem has been called a state of mind, but it is also a real place, remembered in oral histories, described in photographs, and evaluated by scholars.

9. Main Character
Squeaky the main character lives in Harlem, New York is tough and streetwise. How does squeaky reveal herself through her actions, her thoughts, and her words. How does she show that she cares about her family, neighborhood, and people who live in her city?

10. Text Dependent Questions
What does the narrator reveal about her family and her own responsibility in the family?
How does she feel about this responsibility?
What can we learn about the narrators character after reading bottom of page 7 – top of page 8

11. Text Dependent Questions
Describe the conflict that Squeaky faces and how she manages it?
Squeaky doesn’t think that girls can really be true friends. Cite proof of this from text.
What piece of dialogue best demonstrates how protective Squeaky is of Raymond?

12. Text Dependent Questions
Throughout the story, Squeaky has been focused on winning the race. After the race is over, her focus changes.
What new plans does she make?
How have her feelings changed?
Explain using text from the story to support your answer

13. Text Dependent Questions
How does the new respect between Squeaky and Gretchen affect her opinion of relationships between girls?
Support your answer with details and quotes from the text.

14. Closing thoughts
Why is the story called Raymond’s Run and not Squeaky’s Run?
How do Squeaky and Gretchen feel about each other at the end of the race?
Summarize Squeaky’s feelings about herself and her brother Raymond at the end of the story?

15. Formative Activity _______ Life in Six Words Choose either
Squeaky, Raymond, or Gretchen
Create a six word memoir with a connected image that is a reflection of the character as developed in the story
Created on 8 ½ by 11 paper
Be creative, innovative, and meaningful
All grammar, spelling, and punctuation must be correct
Be sure to focus on truly personal aspects of the character

16. Text Dependent Questions
Read the text dependent questions
Consider
How does Squeaky’ s revelation about the talents of other individuals help to mold her opinion and mutual respect of others?
Using the sentence starter provided find evidence in the test that supports an answer to that question
Record on the handout provided
Review answers

17. How Conflict is Resolved
Complication
How Conflict is Resolved

18. Additional Activities

19. Tone Describe the tone of Raymond’s Run Use evidence from the text?
How does Squeaky’s personality affect the mood or atmosphere of the story?

20. Draw Conclusions
How do the events in the story change the way Squeaky views competition?
Chart the connections between the circumstances of Squeaky’s life and her character traits.
Life
traits

21. Squeaky
Gretchen
Raymond

22. Drawing Conclusions
How do the events in the story change the way Squeaky views competition?
Complete the graphic organizer using details from the text.
Making Inferences
How do you think Squeaky’s continued responsibility for Raymond has shaped her view of responsibility.
Complete the graphic organizer using evidence details from the text.
Compare and Contrast
What are some differences/similarities between Squeaky and Gretchen.
Complete the graphic organizer using details from the text.
Summarizing
As briefly as possible, focusing on the key points or details, retell the story of Squeaky and Raymond.
Complete the graphic organizer.

23. Activity 1
Design a T-shirt for the May Day Race runners. The design must represent the character traits shown by the character Squeaky in the story.
Activity 2
Write an acceptance speech for the winner of the May Day Race. The speech must reflect the characters personality, feelings and traits as presented by the author in the story.
Activity 3
Working with a partner rewrite one scene of this story as a dramatic dialogue between the characters. Think about what dialogue, body language and actions would be realistic for each character.
Activity 4
Retell the story from Gretchen’s point of view.