1. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
By:
Mildred Taylor

2. Meet the author
Mildred Taylor was born in Jackson, Mississippi, but spent most of her childhood in Toldeo, Ohio. She attended both the University of Toledo and the University of Colorado. When not attending college, Mildred spent two years with the Peace Corps in Ethiopia. By: Mary B. Collins

3. Let the Circle Be Unbroken
A Newbery Medal Winner
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is a story told through the eyes of a young girl about a land-owning African-American family living in the rural area of Mississippi during the 1930’s, and how they cope the white oppression and racism in order to keep their land.
Mildred Taylor has also written
The Gold Cadillac
Let the Circle Be Unbroken
Song of the Trees

4. Introduction: Activity One
Take out a sheet of paper
Make a list of as many things you do because you “have to,” not because you want to.
5 minutes to complete your list

5. Things we have to do

6. What is their responsibility
Story Connection
As you read Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, you will discover that the characters in this story put aside their own personal desires in order to do
What is best
What is right
What is their responsibility
WHY? Would you?

7. Chapter 1 Vocabulary Pg. Word Definition 5 raucous
Rough-sounding and harsh 6
pensively
Deeply, often wistfully or dreamily thoughtful
sharecropping
Working (land) or growing (crops) as a sharecropper. (tenant farmer who gives a share of crops raised to the landlord in lieu of rent)

8. Chapter 1 Vocabulary Pg. Word Definition 8 emaciated
Made or became extremely thin (starvation)
undaunted
Not discouraged or disheartened; courageous 11
morosely
Sullenly melancholy; gloomy
disdainfully
Expressively disdainful; scornfully, contemptuously

9. Chapter 1 Vocabulary Pg. Word Definition 21 dubious
Fraught with uncertainty or doubt 22
penchant
A definite liking; a strong inclination 23
temerity
Foolhardy disregard of danger; recklessness 28
chignon
A roll or knot of hair worn at the back of the head or at the nape of the neck

10. Chapter 1 Vocabulary Pg. Word Definition 30 maverick
One that refuses to abide by the dictates of or resists adherence to a group; a dissenter 31
imperiously
Arrogantly domineering or overbearing

11. Distribute Books

12. Chapter 2 Vocabulary Pg. Word Definition 34 formidable
Inspiring awe, admiration, or wonder 36
ornate
Elaborately, heavily, and often excessively decorated
Chiffonier
“shiff-on-yay”
A narrow, high chest of drawers or bureau, often with a mirror attached

13. Chapter 3 Vocabulary Pg. Word, part of speech Definition 42
Resiliency, n.
The property of a material that enables it to resume its original shape or position after being bent, stretched, or compressed 43
Emitted, v.
To give or send out matter
Donned, v.
To put on (clothing)

14. Chapter 3 Vocabulary Pg. Word, part of speech Definition 44
Embittered, v.
To arouse bitter feelings in 47
Flippantly, adv.
casually 48
Moronic, adj.
Regarded as very stupid 51
Oblivious, adj.
Lacking conscious awareness 64
Adamantly, adv.
stubbornly

15. Chapter 3 Vocabulary Pg. Word, part of speech Definition 66 Confer, v.
To meet in order to deliberate together or compare views
Precariously, adv.
Dangerously lacking in security or stability

16. Chapter 5 Vocabulary Pg. Word, part of speech Definition 103
Subdued, v.
Lacking vitality, intensity, or strength
104
Envisioned, v.
Pictured in mind; imagined
112
Retaliated, v.
Paid back (an injury) in kind
Malevolently, adv.
Wishing harm to others; maliciously
113
Sullenly, adv.
Morosely or sulkily
Ambled, v.
Walked slowly or leisurely; strolled

17. Chapter 6 Vocabulary Pg. Word, part of speech Definition 137
Languidly, adv.
Lacking energy or vitality; weakly

18. Chapter 7 Vocabulary Pg. Word, part of speech Definition 144
Interminable, adj.
Being or seeming to be without an end; endless
160
Placid, adj.
Satisfied; complacent
164
Boycott, v.
To act together in abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with as an expression of protest or disfavor

19. Chapter 7 Vocabulary Pg. Word, part of speech Definition 168
Insolently, adv.
Audaciously rude or disrespectful; arrogantly

20. Chapter 8 Vocabulary Pg. Word, part of speech Definition 177
Jovial, adj.
jolly

21. Chapter 9 Vocabulary Pg. Word, part of speech Definition 195
Wisteria, n.
Any of several climbing woody vines in the pea family with purplish/white flowers
197
Persnickety, adj.
snobbish
203
Amenities, n.
Social courtesies; pleasantries
204
Chain gang, n.
A group of convicts chained together, especially for outdoor labor

22. Chapter 10 Vocabulary Pg. Word, part of speech Definition 218
Ledger, n.
Financial record book
227
Lethargically, adv.
Causing sluggishness, inactivity, and apathy
229
Reproachfully, adv.
disapprovingly