Major Theme:

Having hope and being persistent, even in the face of setbacks, are the qualities that help one realize life's dreams

Summary:

Everyone has a favorite relative.  For Sarah Jean, it's her Uncle Jed.  Sarah likes Uncle Jed because every Wednesday night when he comes over to her house to give her daddy a haircut and a shave,  he pretends to cut her hair and applies a lotion to her neck that has a wonderful smell.  But what makes Uncle Jed extra special is his dream.   One day he's going to open his own barbershop with shiny sinks, real barber chairs, and outside, a big, tall, red-and-white barber pole.  No matter what setbacks he faces -- from Sarah Jean's emergency operation to the bank failures of the Great Depression -- Uncle Jed hangs on to his dream.

Question #1

Question #2

Question #3

Why do you think Uncle Jed was Sarah Jean's favorite relative?
 

What was Uncle Jed's dream?

 Why didn't anyone believe in Uncle Jed's dreams?

Question #4

What is a sharecropper?
 

Question #5

Define segregation. Give your opinion of segregation.
 

Question #6

Question #7

Question #8

Question #9

What are your feelings about how Sarah Jean and her family were treated at the hospital?

What do you think the Great Depression was?
 

What was Uncle Jed's reaction to the bank failing

Who was the hero in the story?  Explain your answer

Question #10

What lesson can you learn from Uncle Jed's story?
 

Question #11

Question #12

Question #13

Question #14

Question #15

Question #16

Question #17

Question #18

Extension #1

Extension #2

Extension #3

 Write a one paragraph explanation of the Great Depression.
 

Make a class picturebook about dreams.  Draw a picture and write a few sentences describing a dream you have

Read the essay by Dr.  Martin Luther King, I Have a Dream.

Extension #4

Research an American hero who helped bring an end to segregation.  Work with a partner.  Your research should include 3 sources.  One source should be the internet.  It should have a written component, use of charts or graphs, speaking component, creative component:  poster, drawings, sculpture, dance, singing.  Make a time line and set the date for completion.  Your project will be judged on the following:
Overall:Includes:  Written, oral, creative sections. 
Completed by deadline date.
Writing:Ideas.  No plagiarism.  Credit given to sources.  3 sources.
Typed.  At least 300 words.  No spelling errors.  Good grammar.  Did you find any discrepancies in the sources?
Originality and CreativityOverall appearance.  Colorful.  Eye appealing.  Neatness.
Cleverness.
Speaking:Eye Contact, speaking loudly, speaking clearly.  Limited use of Uh's.  Ability to answer questions of audience.
Self-Evaluation:Write a paragraph reflecting on the project.

Write a paragraph listing the strengths. 
List what you learned from your mistakes.
Tell what grade you would give your team and why?

 

Extension #5