Missing May - Appalachian State University



Missing May

By Cynthia Rylant

Name________________________________

Time and Place

In this novel you will meet a young girl named May. She is about your age and we are going to go on a journey with her as she struggles with family, friendship, and conflict in her life in Deep Water, West Virginia.

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On the following page you will find a map of West Virginia. The regions and counties are divided. We will use this map throughout the novel to track the events that take place. We will begin by highlighting the Greenbrier Region.

After reading through page 39, locate Fayette County. Outline the county with a red marker. Locate the town of Deep Water. Mark the town with a blue dot.

After reading through page71, locate Raleigh County, Putnam County, and Charleston. Place a star at each location. Trace the path that Ob, Cletus, and Summer took on their journey to contact May.

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Dialect

Read pages 3-39 Still As Night

Dialect in the Appalachians is fascinating and evident throughout this novel. In order to understand this dialect we will look at examples in class discussion. Every person who speaks has a dialect no matter what language he or she speaks. A dialect of a specific group should not be ridiculed, but relished and attributed to their heritage.

While reading Part I, look for examples of Appalachia dialect. Record the word or phrase with the page number below. Think about what the word or phrase means and explain in its meaning in your words. How would you express that same word or phrase?

Vocabulary

As you read Missing May, several words will appear. It is important to know the meanings of these words in order to fully understand the themes throughout the novel. Please look up these words and record the definition. Then using a thesaurus, record a synonym for that word.

|Words |Definition |Synonym |

|Surreal | | |

|Oblivion | | |

|Bereavement | | |

|Deterioration | | |

|Stupefaction | | |

Reader’s Theater

After reading pages 43-66, the reader should have a clear picture of the characters in the novel. In a small group, using Aunt May’s perspective, create a Reader’s Theatre presentation. What would she say to Ob and Summer? How would they react? In what form would she communicate with them? Remember to include a narrator if needed.

Use the next two pages to plan with your group. You will need to list characters and the setting. Please include all dialogue.

Sketch To Stretch

Uncle Ob makes whirligigs at the beginning of the novel and again at the closing. He does not create the “Garfield” type that Summer describes in the yards in Deep Water. Uncle Ob makes whirligigs with feelings, The Mysteries. Examples can be found on pages 6, 7. and 89.

Design and name a whirligig to depict how you feel from the outside looking in or you may choose to design one as if you were Summer.

EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT!!!

After reading through page 89, four main themes have developed. In your small groups, choose one of the four themes (Friendship, Family, Conflict, Struggle) and create the front page of a local newspaper. Each member of your group will have an important job. You will need to decide on your jobs, look at the examples of newspapers provided, and begin brainstorming.

Jobs:

Editor-keep group on task, preview final copy of newspaper

Reporter- locate at least three events from the novel that support the theme you choose

Writer- work with reporter to write the articles

Historian- research time and place to ensure the newspaper is accurate in detail (make sure the date and one advertisement relates to the time period and region)

Illustrator- capture the reader’s attention with a captivating illustration relating to the articles written (you may want to use the digital camera and create a scene to photograph).

Use the next two pages to brainstorm as a group.

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