Sand Dollars | Chapter 2 Online Activities Guide

Credits

Story written by:
Bob Rouse

Activities written by:
Reta Broadway & Teresa Moore

Illustrated by:
Chris Ware

Titling by:
Amicheli Salyer

Chapter 2:
In for the Long Haul

A good writer makes you "see" the story in your mind by using descriptions of persons, places and things. Sometimes a single word helps you to create an image or there may be a paragraph describing someone's actions. Skim Chapter 2 again and highlight descriptive words and phrases that draw you into the story.

Nate isn't quite as sure as his sister that they can earn $5,000 during their summer vacation. What descriptions let you know this? 1.2, 2.16
When you are thinking hard about something, what do you do? How does Nate behave when he was thinking about their problem? How does Brooke behave? With a friend act out the paragraphs that describe how Nate and Brooke do their thinking. 1.2, 5.3, 1.15
The Porters' first - and only - customer has a small but vivid role in the story. Reread the part that tells how she looks and acts and then write a description of her in your own words. Is she someone that you would enjoy knowing? 1.11, 1.2, 3.5, 6.3
How is Brooke feeling when she said, "There's got to be a better way" ? What does she mean? What do you think the next chapter of the story is going to be about? 1.2, 5.2

For the advanced reader

Just before she goes back to work, Mrs. Porter says that she feels like she has found something. What has she found? Why is this important to her? 1.2, 2.16, 3.1
Brooke has a business plan for the Beach Porters. What is a business plan? What is Brooke's plan? What do you think Brooke learns from the experience with their one customer? 1.2, 2.36
Nate teases Brooke when she says the name of their business is a secret joke. Find Nate's response and read it aloud in the way you think he says it. Do you ever tease a friend or classmate? What is the difference in good-natured teasing and mean teasing? 1.12, 1.2, 4.1
Nate daydreams about being in the newspaper. So far in the story his daydream has had two variations. What are they? Do you think Nate's daydream will show up again somewhere in the story? Why? 1.2, 5.1
Using the Internet or other resources, research the causes, signs, and the prevention of skin cancer. With a partner or small group, design posters or brochures to share information. 1.1, 1.2, 1.11, 1.13, 2.31, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2, 6.1

Newspaper-related activities

Because their father died from skin cancer, Nate and Brooke are very careful to wear sunscreen as a way to help prevent getting skin cancer. Often newspaper stories tell about research into ways to prevent cancer and other diseases. Look through your newspaper to find information on prevention and other health-related issues. 1.1, 3.2
When Brooke names their business, she used a play on words because Porter is both a last name and a definition for someone who carries items. Headline writers often use words with multiple meanings to gain the reader's attention. Scan the newspaper for several days to find word plays based on multiple meanings. Be sure to include the sports pages in your search. 1.1, 6.2
Look through the classified ads for jobs that include an hourly wage. Choose one and calculate the amount of time it would take to earn $5,000. 1.1, 1.2, 2.7, 2.8, 2.18