Sand Dollars | Chapter 7 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 7:
An Eye for Talent

The climax of a story is the high point of the story. It is the time of greatest emotion or suspense. The climax of "Sand Dollars" comes in this final chapter. What event provides the climax? What strong emotions are the characters feeling? What emotion do you feel as you read this part of the story?

Are you surprised when Brooke takes over at the site of the sand sculpture contest? Why? Why do you think Mrs. Porter is impressed with Brooke's "take-charge attitude"? 1.2, 4.2
Have you ever built a sand castle? How does Nathan explain the way to start? Do you think Nathan and Brooke know more about sand castle building than you and your friends do? Why? 1.10, 1.11 2.19, 4.6
Writers often use figurative language -- words or descriptions that are not meant to be taken literally. An example of this is "...the sculpture had come to life." In your own words, tell what the writer means by this. Can you find other examples of figurative language in the story? 1.2
How much money does the Porter family end up with for their day of sand sculpture building? Does this meet the goal the children had at the beginning of the summer? 1.2, 2.7
How do you like the way in which the story ended? Are you surprised? How do you think Nathan feels about really getting his name and picture in the newspaper? 1.2, 2.26, 5.3

For the advanced reader

What is luck? Do you think the money the Porters receive can all be attributed to luck? What part do hard work and talent play in the final chapter of the story? How have the children "learned more in one summer about work - and luck - than most people learn in a lifetime"? 1.2, 3.4, 3.6, 4.4, 6.1
Twice during this chapter Honest Abe says, "That sure beats a stick in the eye." Do you think he has ever said this before? What does he mean by this statement? Think about people that you know. Do any of them have funny or unusual sayings like this that they use often? What are some of the sayings? What do they mean? 1.2, 1.4
Write a story about Rok LeBrock. 1.11, 5.2
With your classmates, act out the scene where the judge presents the Porters with the check for winning second place in the contest and then tells them he will buy the coin for $7500. 1.15, 5.3
With a partner, research the makeup of sand and information about sand castles. Find pictures and photos on the Internet of various sand castle structures. Create your own sand structure using a sand table, sand, and water. 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.16, 2.6, 2.20

Newspaper-related activities

The Porter family enters the amateur division of the sand sculpture contest. What is the difference between amateur and professional? Look through your newspaper to find stories about people who are amateurs or professionals. Start with the sports section, but be sure to look in other parts of the newspaper as well. 1.1, 1.10
Imagine you are the reporter who interviews Nathan and his family after they find out that the coin is valuable. Write the story as you think it appears in the newspaper the next day. Don't forget to add your byline. 1.11, 5.3
Go on your own treasure hunt in the newspaper. Find something that you think is really valuable and share it with your class. 1.2, 3.6, 6.3