Category: Crossroads

  • To Build a Fire

    Read “To Build a Fire” by Jack London. Responding to the Story The author writes of the main character, “The trouble with him was that he was without imagination.” Why would it be important to have imagination living and traveling in a harsh climate? What other characteristics or qualities does the man have? How are…

  • Debate: Ireland

    Although Ireland has gained independence since the the events of the O’Flaherty’s story “The Sniper” or Jordan’s film “Michael Collins,” Northern Ireland continues to be a place of conflict, which can be viewed in at least two ways: Northern Ireland should remain separate from Ireland. Ireland should become one country without a north and south…

  • The Sniper

    Read “The Sniper,” by Liam O’Flaherty. Respond to the Story Reread the first paragraph. What details in the author’s description of the setting establish the tone or atmosphere of the story? What message about this civil war is Liam O’Flaherty trying to convey? How does his message compare to the theme in “War,” by Timothy…

  • Unclaimed Bank Balance

    Write a short story that features the discovery of an unclaimed balance.

  • War

    Read “War,” by Timothy Findley. Do you think you really understand why adults do the things they do? Respond to the Story Whose war does the author refer to in the title? Support your view with examples from the story. With a small group, discuss whether you think the way Neil reacts to his father…

  • I Have A Dream

    Read “I Have A Dream,” by Martin Luther King, Jr. Respond to the Reading Discuss these words from Martin Luther King, Jr.: “I have a dream that four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their…

  • The Michelle I Know

    Read “The Michelle I Know,” by Alison Lohans. Respond to the Story Who is the hero in this story? Explain why you think so. What is the turning point? In what way does Michelle change? What is the overall message and mood? Why is humour an important part of this story? Why do you think…

  • Laura Secord

    Laura Secord a poem by Raymond Souster Lady, long part of our history would you perhaps have been so eager that time to drive those silly cows before you through the forest mile after mile, risking who knows what indignities at the hands of the invaders, had you known you would end up on the…

  • Hunches

    A hunch is a feeling or impression that something is about to happen. Authors sometimes use a character’s hunches to create suspense or to tie together a group of events. For example, in “Stains,” the mother has been afraid for her son “for a long time. She realized that when the doorbell rang at 4…

  • Superman or Tarzan?

    [youtube video=ihUIPlLw2ZE] Crash Test Dummies music video “Superman’s Song” from their 1991 debut album “The Ghosts That Haunt Me”. Written by Brad Roberts Tarzan wasn’t a ladies’ man He’d just come along and scoop ’em up under his arm Like that, quick as a cat in the jungle But Clark Kent now there was a…