English 85—YanoverYour Name:`
Reading Homework about James McBride’s The Color of Water
Chapter 1 “Dead” pp.1-3
Step 1. Read and annotate the chapter. Look for and underline places in the chapter that answer the following questions, and write notes in the margins:
- Who’s dead?
- What does that mean?
- How does she feel about it?
Also,circle, underline, or highlight words you don’t know. If you can figure out the meaning without looking up the word, write “look up” in the margin. If you can’t figure out the meaning without understanding that word, look up and write the definition in the margin.
Step 2. Write a summary below of the chapter, answering and explaining the question: What does James’ mother mean when she says she’s dead?
Step 3. Write a response to the chapter, answering and explaining the questions: What are your first impressions of James’ mother? Why?
English 85—YanoverYour Name:`
Reading Homework about James McBride’s The Color of Water
Chapter 2 “The Bicycle” pp.5-14
Step 1. Read and annotate the chapter. Look for and underline places in the chapter that answer the following questions, and write notes in the margins:
- Who rides the bicycle? Who else is associated with it?
- How did James feel about the bicycle and the person who rode it?
- What did the bicycle represent?
Also, circle words you don’t know. If you can figure out the meaning without looking up the word, write “look up” in the margin. If you can’t figure out the meaning without understanding that word, look up and write the meaning in the margin.
Step 2. Write a summary below of the chapter, answering and explaining the questions: What does the bicycle represent? Why?
Step 3. Write a response to the chapter, answering and explaining the questions: Can you relate to James and his relationship with his mother in this chapter? How and why? Or why not?
English 85—YanoverYour Name:`
Reading Homework about James McBride’s The Color of Water
Chapter 3 “Kosher” pp.15-19
Step 1. Read and annotate the chapter. Look for and underline places in the chapter that answer the following questions, and write notes in the margins:
- What was Ruth’s parents’ marriage like?
- What are Ruth’s earliest memories of being in America?
- What does kosher mean?
Also, circle, underline, or highlight words you don’t know. If you can figure out the meaning without looking up the word, write “look up” in the margin. If you can’t figure out the meaning without understanding that word, look up and write the definition in the margin.
Step 2. Write a summary below of the chapter, answering and explaining the question: What was Ruth’s life like when she first came to and lived in America?
Step 3. Write a response to the chapter, answering and explaining the questions: How do you feel about Ruth’s early life in America? Have you had or heard of similar or different experiences in your family?
English 85—YanoverYour Name:`
Reading Homework about James McBride’s The Color of Water
Chapter 4 “Black Power” pp.21-36
Step 1. Read and annotate the chapter. Look for and underline places in the chapter that answer the following questions, and write notes in the margins:
- What is James’ relationship like with each of his siblings?
- How did James feel about his mother’s whiteness?
- What is black power? How did James feel about it?
Also, circle words you don’t know. If you can figure out the meaning without looking up the word, write “look up” in the margin. If you can’t figure out the meaning without understanding that word, look up and write the meaning in the margin.
Step 2. Write a summary below of the chapter, answering and explaining the questions: How did James feel about his mother’s whiteness? Why?
Step 3. Write a response to the chapter, answering and explaining the questions: Do you relate more to James’ relationship with his siblings or his mother? How and why?