Bellwork #35: MCT2 Practice

1. Bellwork #35: MCT2 Practice Read the following excerpt from A Man Named Dave by Dave Pelzer. “David, your father has cancer. I’m afraid it’s terminal. He’s in the advanced stages. I’m sorry.’ Steve reached our for my hands. ‘There is nothing we can do.” Based upon the context of the excerpt, which choice will the reader infer as the meaning of terminal? {1.d} [DOK 2] (Proficient) Reviving Boundary Initial Fatal

2. Bellwork #36: MCT2 Practice Read the following excerpt from A Man Named Dave by Dave Pelzer. “We didn’t even realize he was married until we rechecked his admission papers. I understand, after talking to your father, that they’re not exactly in close contact. There is a chance, knowing how your father guarded his condition, that your mother doesn’t even—’ ‘Oh, she knows,’ I objected as my entire body suddenly tensed. ‘I’m sure if she—’ Steve countered. ‘No way,’ I said. ‘You don’t know. You don’t know her.’ ‘And how do you know?’ he asked. ‘Come on, Steve, think about it. Who do you think called my brother Ron and Mrs. Turnbough?’ I answered.” Based upon the excerpt, what can the reader infer about the character of Mother? {2.b} [DOK 3] (Proficient) Father has been so secretive about his illness that Mother has no idea that he is in the hospital. Father forgot to list himself as “married” on his hospital admission forms. Father’s condition is so painful for Mother that she has not come to visit him in the hospital. Mother has known all along that Father has been in the hospital, and she has refuses to visit her husband in the hospital; this is just another one of her manipulative games.

3. Bellwork #37: MCT2 Practice Read the following excerpt from A Man Named Dave by Dave Pelzer. “For the first time in nearly two years, I finally had the chance to be with my father. As I stared at him, I suddenly realized I knew nothing about him. As long as I could remember, my visits with Father had probably amounted to less than ten, maybe twenty hours together, so now I wondered, had I been caught up over the last few years craving to love Dad, hoping he may love me in return?” Based upon the excerpt, what sequence of events is responsible for Dave’s realization? {2.b} [DOK 3] (Proficient) Dave’s tendency to land in trouble with the law has hindered his time spent with Father. Dave was always running away; therefore, he and Father were never able to get to know one another. Father was always at the fire station working, so Dave never got to see Father. Mother manipulated The Family to prevent Father from spending any quality time with Dave.

4. Bellwork #38: MCT2 Practice Read the following excerpt from A Man Named Dave by Dave Pelzer. “The only thing that appeared different was how small and dark the room had become, due to the paper-thin, soiled drapes and nicotine-stained walls. An over powering stench of urine, from what I assumed was Mother’s small herd of dogs and cats over the years, nearly made my eyes water. I let out a cough and shook my head in disgust. This was a woman who when I was a tiny child had hosted elegant parties and prided herself on her home’s grandeur.” Based upon the excerpt, what can the reader infer? {2.b} [DOK 3] (Proficient) Mother must not abuse Kevin with cleaning chemicals as she did Dave. Mother hordes animals inside her house because she is mentally unstable. Mother has smoked in the house so much that the house wreaks of smoke. The deterioration of Mother and her home is evident.

5. Bellwork #39: MCT2 Practice Read the following excerpt from A Man Named Dave by Dave Pelzer. “Stepping outside the room, I saw that Steve understood. With a piece of paper in his hand, he dialed the phone and gave it to me. ‘What?’ I asked in a daze. Not looking at me directly, Steve muttered, ‘Your mother…she wanted to know as soon as it happened…the moment he passed away.’ Closing my eyes, I could feel myself drift. At the lowest point of my life, Mother, in all her grandeur, had maintained control of the situation. As always, I wasn’t even worthy of the privilege of her majesty’s unlisted line, but was somehow good enough to do her dirty work.” Based upon the excerpt, what can the reader infer about the character of Mother? {2.b} [DOK 3] (Proficient) Mother’s love for father has made her want to hear from Dave. Mother’s lack of compassion is evident. Mother’s cold and calculating nature is manipulating the situation. Both B & C

6. Mother’s Manipulation of Father’s Funeral