Trombones and Colleges

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Trombones and Colleges

• By Walter Dean Myers

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Point of view

• A story told in the 1st person point of view is
  narrated by one of its main characters.
• In this novel, the character is nicknamed Stuff.
  Through Stuffs eyes, you will meet the other
  characters and will learn what happens on report
  card day.

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Background

• Earlier in the novel, Clydes father is killed in
  a work accident, and Clyde decided to honor him
  by switching from his high schools commercial
  program to its academic program in order to
  prepare for college. Trombones and Colleges
  tells what happens when Clyde receives his first
  report card after switching programs.

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Bad Day . . . .

• Have you ever had a bad day?
• What did you do to help you through it?
• Bad Day Song

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system

• Set of way of doing things
• noun

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document

• Official report
• noun

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disgusted

• Irritated and impatient
• adjective

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annoyed

• Bothered
• Adjective
• Stress song 11

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required

• Needed
• Noun

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Discussion. . .

1. From Clydes viewpoint, why does his mother share
   the memory about his father?
2. Mrs. Jones might have reacted differently to
   Clydes report card. Why do you think she reacts
   as she does?
3. How does Clyde feel about his moms desire that
   he keep trying?

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Make an Inference

• Clyde says that his adviser had told him to
  switch back to the commercial program. He looks
  like hell start crying any minute. His eyes are
  red, and his voice is shaky.
• What can you infer about Clydes feelings?
• Clyde is pleased.
• Clyde is unhappy.
• Clyde is nervous.

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Theme

• If you work hard, you can do almost anything you
  want to do.
• Love and support from your family can make you
  feel better when times are hard.
• Good friends dont hurt each others feelings.