Notice quiet presence
Junior sees his parents and grandmother sleeping in chairs in the hospital.
“My mother and father and grandma were asleep in their chairs, but I was awake.” (Alexie 147)Read in the chapter
This week’s aim
At the Wellpinit game, the whole gym turns its back on Junior. Who has Junior's back now, and how do you know?
Start here · Read
Follow the daily plan below. Monday: book review, then writing reflection in Formative. Wednesday: Chapter 20, Reading Coach, and an Aim brain dump. Thursday: Chapter 21, Reading Coach, and the packet quiz in Formative.
See today’s reading plan →Before you start
Junior plays basketball for Reardan. At Wellpinit, people treat him as if he has betrayed them.
Words to think about
“And then Coach started laughing with me. And so did my teammates.”
What does laughing together show?
This week’s class plan
- Monday · Nov. 2
- First half: review Chapters 1–19 with Blooket, then write a timed brain-dump summary of the story so far. Second half: complete the writing reflection in Formative using your recent responses and feedback.
- Tuesday · Nov. 3
- No school.
- Wednesday · Nov. 4
- Read all of Chapter 20, “Reindeer Games” (pages 135–149), then complete Wednesday’s Reading Coach. Finish with an Aim brain dump from memory: a first response using what you know through Chapter 20, before reading Chapter 21. Study Junior’s cartoon portrait of Coach →
- Thursday · Nov. 5
- Read Chapter 21 (pages 150–151), then complete Thursday’s Reading Coach. Afterward, take the 20-question Chapters 20–21 quiz from your packet in Formative.
- Friday · Nov. 6
- Write the Aim Response.
Use any remaining time after the day’s assigned work for the Aim construction pages in your packet with your teacher.
Study the timeline and support map →
Read first. Then use Reading Coach.
Begin today’s chapter, then open Reading Coach.
Open Reading Coach
The join code is posted on Google Classroom.
Wednesday · Reading, then Reading Coach
Keep Competing: Junior at Basketball Tryouts
Read all of Chapter 20, “Reindeer Games,” printed pages 135–149: the tryouts, the Wellpinit game, and the hospital visit.
Stop after: That night belongs to just me and my coach.
After Reading Coach: write your Aim brain dump from memory before opening Chapter 21.
LOOK AT THE DRAWING · CHAPTER 20
Coach through Junior's eyes
Which detail makes Coach seem powerful? Which detail makes him seem ordinary or funny?
Printed page 137 · Read in context →
Words in the drawing
Speech bubble: “LISTEN UP.” Selected labels: “voice like Thor”; “same shorts, regardless of weather”; “hairless old-man legs.”
Connect it to the aim
The portrait gives Junior's first impression of Coach. Keep reading to compare that impression with Coach's choices at tryouts, at Wellpinit, and in the hospital.
Thursday · Reading, then Reading Coach
Care, Hurt, and a Christmas Gift
Read all of Chapter 21, “And a Partridge in a Pear Tree,” printed pages 150–151. Reading Coach connects the end of Chapter 20 to Dad’s Christmas gift.
Stop after: “Merry Christmas,” I said, and kissed him on the cheek.
After Reading Coach: take the exact 20-question packet quiz in Formative.
Wednesday finishes Chapter 20. Thursday starts Chapter 21. Reading Coach rereads a selected excerpt after the day’s reading.
Have time left after the assigned work? Open the Aim construction help →
Talk it through
Say your answer out loud first. You can try it with a partner.
The story so far · Chapters 20–21
Who has Junior’s back?
Follow the events. Then connect each person’s action to what Junior needs.
A place on the team
Junior keeps competing at tryouts and makes varsity.
Alexie 139–142A hostile welcome
The Wellpinit crowd turns its back. Coach and teammates join Junior’s laughter.
Alexie 144Care after injury
Eugene treats Junior. Family and Coach are there at the hospital.
Alexie 145–149A complicated gift
Dad leaves to drink over Christmas, then returns with five dollars saved for Junior.
Alexie 150–151
At a glance
Look for actions, not just labels.
Support comes from people at Reardan and people from home.
- Coach & teammatesJoin his laughter when the crowd rejects him.Alexie 144→ Stand with him
- EugeneTreats his cut and takes him to the hospital after the later injury.Alexie 145–147→ Gives practical care
- Mom, Dad & GrandmaAre beside him at the hospital, asleep in chairs.Alexie 147→ Stay present
- CoachStays awake with him after learning he cannot sleep.Alexie 148–149→ Responds to his need
Junior
He faces rejection and injury.
These actions give him company, care, and a place to belong.
Keep the differences in view.
The crowd turns away; Rowdy hurts him. Eugene and Junior’s family help him. The people from home do not all respond in the same way. Alexie 144–147
Look closer Can someone care and still cause harm?
Read Dad’s actions together. One kind act does not settle the whole question.
Evidence of care
He shows up. He saves a gift.
- He is with Junior in the ambulance and at the hospital. Alexie 147
- He saves five dollars for Junior instead of spending that last money on alcohol. Alexie 151
Evidence of harm
He leaves. Junior is hurt.
- He takes the family’s remaining money and leaves from Christmas Eve until January 2. Alexie 150
- Junior says it is okay, then tells the reader it is not. He hides his hurt to protect Dad’s feelings. Alexie 151
“It was a beautiful and ugly thing.”Alexie 151
Both words matter. The saved gift shows love. Dad’s absence still causes pain. His care is real, and his support is unreliable.
Build the connection: “Although Dad ___, he also ___. This helps explain why Junior calls the gift ___.”
Try saying: “I think ___ because the text says ___. This shows ___.”
LOOK AT THE DRAWING · CHAPTER 20
Making his effort visible
How do the motion lines and Junior's face make his effort look? Find what Coach and Roger do in the tryout scene around this drawing.
Printed page 141 · Read in context →
Words in the drawing
The cartoon contains a long shouted sound rather than a sentence.
Connect it to the aim
The cartoon shows the force of Junior's effort, while the prose tells us how Coach and Roger respond. Their responses let us examine how Junior earns a place on the team before the hostile Wellpinit game.
Need another way to think about it?
From a highlight to your writing
Notice the words
“Well, how about I stay and keep you company, then?”
Margin note
Coach changes his plan after learning Junior must stay awake. He responds to what Junior needs now, which makes this offer specific evidence of support.
My notebook
Has to stay awake → Coach changes plan → company when Junior needs it.
See note 9 beside the passage · Alexie 148
See the observation become sentences
- What it says
Coach offers to stay after Junior explains that he cannot sleep yet.
- What it helps explain
Coach listens and changes what he plans to do. His support responds to Junior’s need in the hospital, not to whether Junior wins a game.
Your turn: another detail
The family has no speech in this moment. What does being there suggest? Write an explanation that stays within what their presence can show.
Test a possible misreading
First thought: Dad saves five dollars, so the Christmas gift makes everything okay.
Keep the harm in view
Junior describes his father leaving with the family’s remaining money at Christmas.
“He took what little money we did have and ran away to get drunk.” (Alexie 150)Read in the chapter
Look again: Dad’s saved gift matters to Junior, but he also takes money and leaves to drink. Explain both sides of “beautiful and ugly”; care does not cancel the harm.
Your notebook → your Aim Response
Build your response
Choose your evidence here. Write your sentences in your notebook.
What does my answer need to cover?
Who supports him
Name the people your response will discuss.
How you know
Explain what their actions do for Junior.
Write your answer
___ and ___ support Junior; their actions show this by ___.
A starting shape, not the only way to write your answer. Replace the spaces with your own thinking.
Pick quote 1. Explain it.
The exact quotation, its context, and its citation will appear here.
What it saysIn my own words, this means …
What it showsThis helps answer the question because …
Pick quote 2. Explain it.
The exact quotation, its context, and its citation will appear here.
What it saysIn my own words, this means …
What it showsThis helps answer the question because …
Choose two different quotations. Then check that your writing explains every part of the aim.
Connect the two details
The first detail shows … . But / So / Because … . Together, these details help explain … .
Choose the connector that matches your reasoning: but contrasts, so gives a result, because gives a reason.
See the shape in a complete model
This model answers a related question. Notice where the quotes, explanations, words, and appositives go.
Identify people who join him
Junior describes Coach and teammates joining his laughter after the Wellpinit crowd turns its back on him.
“And then Coach started laughing with me. And so did my teammates.” (Alexie 144)Read in the chapter
Can help with: Who supports him; How you know.
Notice support fitted to a need
Coach offers to keep Junior company in the hospital.
“Well, how about I stay and keep you company, then?” (Alexie 148)Read in the chapter
Can help with: Who supports him; How you know.
Notice the trust that grows
Junior reflects on the hospital night he spends talking with Coach.
“That night belongs to just me and my coach.” (Alexie 149)Read in the chapter
Can help with: Who supports him; How you know.
Hold care and harm together
Junior reflects on a Christmas gift from his father.
“It was a beautiful and ugly thing.” (Alexie 151)Read in the chapter
Can help with: Who supports him; How you know.
Notice quiet presence
Junior sees his parents and grandmother sleeping in chairs in the hospital.
“My mother and father and grandma were asleep in their chairs, but I was awake.” (Alexie 147)Read in the chapter
Can help with: Who supports him; How you know.
Keep the harm in view
Junior describes his father leaving with the family’s remaining money at Christmas.
“He took what little money we did have and ran away to get drunk.” (Alexie 150)Read in the chapter
Can help with: Who supports him; How you know.
DRAWING → EXPLANATION
Use a visual detail in your explanation.
- Coach through Junior's eyes · page 137
Choose one later action by Coach. Explain how it shows support beyond the authority shown in the portrait.
- Making his effort visible · page 141
Pair one action from the tryouts with one later action of support. Explain what the two moments show about the person who has Junior's back.
Add the assigned words
Words of the day 2 points
Use one word from each of these 4 groups. Complete all 4 groups for the vocabulary points. Words separated by “or” are alternatives.
Meaning + one sentence example
contempt (noun) — A strong feeling that someone or something deserves little respect.
Turning their backs shows contempt for Junior, but other people’s actions show support.
Original writing example · More word help
Meaning + one sentence example
endeavor (noun) — A serious effort or attempt to accomplish something.
Playing for a new team is an endeavor that brings Junior both opportunity and conflict.
Original writing example · More word help
Meaning + one sentence example
optimistic (adjective) — Hopeful that something good can happen.
Coach’s presence gives Junior a reason to remain optimistic after being hurt.
Original writing example · More word help
Meaning + one sentence example
intimidate (verb) — To make someone afraid or less confident, often to control them.
A hostile crowd can be intimidating, which makes the support of people nearby matter.
Original writing example · More word help
An alternative from a listed root family fills the same group. Review words in a practice model do not replace this list. Connect each word to your point; a made-up event is not evidence.
Add two appositives
Introduce two people or ideas 2 appositives · 2 points
The words between the commas give another name for the noun.
Coach, another name for this person or idea, …
See one that works
Coach, the adult leading Junior’s team, visits him in the hospital.
“the adult leading Junior’s team” and “Coach” name the same person or idea. Keep both commas; finish with your own point.
Junior’s family, another name for this person or idea, …
See one that works
Junior’s family, the people sitting beside him in the hospital, remain close while he is hurt.
“the people sitting beside him in the hospital” and “Junior’s family” name the same person or idea. Keep both commas; finish with your own point.
See more evidence
Explore the evidence
Who stands with him?
Who responds to Junior’s rejection by being present or joining him?
How do their actions prove it?
What do supporters actually do, and what need does each action meet?
Go further: support can be imperfect
How can a person show care and still hurt Junior?
Identify people who join him
Junior describes Coach and teammates joining his laughter after the Wellpinit crowd turns its back on him.
“And then Coach started laughing with me. And so did my teammates.” (Alexie 144)Read in the chapterCharacters
What this detail can show
Coach and the teammates join Junior’s laughter instead of joining the crowd against him. Their response gives him company during the rejection.
Notice support fitted to a need
Coach offers to keep Junior company in the hospital.
“Well, how about I stay and keep you company, then?” (Alexie 148)Read in the chapterCharacters
What this detail can show
After learning that Junior must stay awake for medical checks, Coach offers to stay. He changes his plan to meet Junior’s immediate need for company.
Notice the trust that grows
Junior reflects on the hospital night he spends talking with Coach.
“That night belongs to just me and my coach.” (Alexie 149)Read in the chapterChange
What this detail can show
Junior keeps the night’s stories private. His words suggest that their time together matters as a personal relationship beyond basketball.
Hold care and harm together
Junior reflects on a Christmas gift from his father.
“It was a beautiful and ugly thing.” (Alexie 151)Read in the chapterThemes
What this detail can show
Junior calls Dad’s gift beautiful and ugly at once. Saving money for him can show care while Dad’s drinking and absence still hurt him.
Notice quiet presence
Junior sees his parents and grandmother sleeping in chairs in the hospital.
“My mother and father and grandma were asleep in their chairs, but I was awake.” (Alexie 147)Read in the chapterCharacters
What this detail can show
Junior’s family is in the hospital too. Their presence broadens the answer beyond Coach, even though they are asleep during this conversation.
Keep the harm in view
Junior describes his father leaving with the family’s remaining money at Christmas.
“He took what little money we did have and ran away to get drunk.” (Alexie 150)Read in the chapterCharacters
What this detail can show
Dad takes scarce family money and leaves. His later gift cannot erase this action or make his support dependable.
Find more evidence in the chapter
- Chapter 20: Find the crowd turning its back and the moment when Junior, Coach, and the teammates laugh. Mark whose actions reject him and whose actions join him; keep the groups distinct.
Choose a second quote that adds something
You explained Coach’s hospital support. Which quote adds evidence that Junior’s family is present there too?
In your notebook: explain what your second quotation adds that the first one could not show alone.
Check your paragraph
10 points total · 2 points in each area
Point to the evidence in your own paragraph before checking a box.
These boxes are a self-check, not a grade. Development reflects how your argument builds and your growth as a writer. Checks stay in this browser.
Your paragraph goes in your notebook. Follow your teacher’s directions for turning it in. Nothing on this page submits your work.
Extra reading practice
Check yourself
Complete the explanation
Use each choice once. These are practice sentences, not quotations.
When evaluating support, record what a person does as well as what the person says. Coach offers to keep Junior after learning he must stay awake. His choice turns encouragement into time spent meeting a need. Another scene presents a harder : Dad's absence hurts Junior, yet Dad saves a small for him. Calling it both beautiful and ugly holds and harm together. A useful explanation names the evidence for each side instead of declaring a person completely good or bad. That makes the claim more and keeps difficult details visible.
- Blank 1: Someone's presence so another person is not alone.
- Blank 2: A difference between two things placed beside each other.
- Blank 3: Something given to another person, here five dollars.
- Blank 4: Concern or affection for another person.
- Blank 5: Exact and careful rather than overly broad.
Trace Coach's response to Junior's needs
Drag the blocks or use the arrow buttons. Keyboard: focus a block and press Alt + ↑ / ↓.
- Coach plans to leave so Junior can sleep, but learns Junior must stay awake.
- Coach apologizes, and he and Junior discuss the importance of the game.
- Coach praises Junior's commitment after sharing a saying about excellence.
- Coach offers to remain, and the two share stories through the night.
- Coach enters the hospital room while Junior's family sleeps in chairs.
Take it into your writing
Choose one action by a person who supports Junior and explain in one sentence what need that action meets; include a chapter citation and avoid claiming the person is perfect.
Practice feedback is for you. These activities do not submit a grade.