Kat's+Fall

The book starts with Darcy’s mother is getting out of jail after serving ten years for throwing Darcy’s baby sister, Kat, off a fifth floor balcony. Kat who was born deaf and is also epileptic survived the fall and both Kat and Darcy have spent the last ten years living with a father who provides for them materially but that’s about it. Darcy basically raised Kat and now that their mother is about to be released he is horrified that their father has decided to return Kat to their mother’s care. Just when Darcy starts to come to terms with his new familial situation (partly by force and partly by cutting himself) he is accused of sexually abusing his sister and the four-year-old girl he babysits. Fortunately with the support of his mother, an awesome teacher and his new girlfriend he is able to dispel the wrongful accusations and begin his healing process.
 * Summary:**

**“Getting into character” three-part activity:** a) Answer two of the three questions from the perspective of one of the characters in the novel as journal entries: b) Write a short __newspaper article__ (approximately 100-150 words) featuring a character other than the one used in the journal entries. Be sure to write in “reporter” style, using the 5 W’s (who, what, where, when, why) to develop your article. Include a “photograph” (or drawing) of the character. c) Write a one to two page response explaining why you chose to draw the character in this way (the physical features/clothing/expression/setting and so on). Please be as detailed as possible in both your drawing and explanation. This culminating activity meets the following curriculum expectations: ** Grade 9 Academic/Applied English, Grade 10 Applied English ** __Reading__ __and Literature Studies__  Overall: (1) Reading for meaning: read and demonstrate an understanding of a variety of literary, informational, and graphic texts, using a range of strategies to construct meaning;  Specific: 1.3) Demonstrating Understanding of Content; 1.4) Making Inferences; 1.5) Extending Understanding of Texts (4) Reflecting on Skills and Strategies: reflect on and identify their strengths as readers, areas for improvement and the strategies they found most helpful before, during, and after reading Specific: 4.2) Interconnected Skills __ Writing __ Overall: (1) Developing and Organizing Content: generate, gather, and organize ideas and information to write for an intended purpose and audience Specific: 1.1) Identifying Topic, Purpose and Audience; 1.2) Generating and Developing Ideas  Overall: (2) Using Knowledge of Form and Style  Specific: 2.1) Form; 2.2) Voice, 2.3) Diction Overall: (3) Applying Knowledge of Conventions: use editing, proofreading and publishing skills and strategies, and knowledge of language conventions, to correct errors, refine expression, and present their work effectively Specific: 3.6) Publishing; 3.7) Producing Finished Works
 * Activity:**
 * 1) You are having trouble understanding the work in school and your parents are too busy or do not have the ability to help you but if you do not get help soon you know that you are going to fail the class. What could you do?
 * 2) You are being bullied by someone at school. You know that the bully has a troubled home life and is doing poorly in school. What could you do?
 * 3) A friend from school has been acting odd lately. S/he is withdrawn and has been avoiding most of your other friends. You later find out that one of your friend’s family members has been sexually assaulted. What could you do?