Mr. Holbrook’s Hillcrest Blog

Today in both divisions we finally took up chapters 43 – 52 in Crispin: The Cross of Lead. Here’s how it looked:

1. Story Sorting

To get in a Crispin frame of mind, I asked the students to put 9 events from the section into the order in which they actually happened.

2. Crispin’s Learnings

Next, I asked students to consider what Crispin has learned about his life and the world during these revelatory chapters.  Students wrote about what they thought were the two most important things Crispin has learned in a journal entry.

3. Talk Show

In an effort to get into the minds of novel’s characters, Crispin, Bear, John Aycliffe, and Lady Furnival were all guests on Dr. Bill Show.  Mr. Holbrook stepped out and Dr. Phil’s first cousin’s second college roommate took the reins as talk show host.  The conversation was an enlightening one and helped the students develop a deeper understanding of the characters’ motivations and though processes.

Here’s a shot of world traveler Dr. Bill doing his show in Paris:

4.  Finishing the Novel

The homework for Friday, 8 May is to finish reading the novel and to place at least 3 sticky notes on important parts in the text.

5. Thinking of Songs for Crispin’s iPod

The final task for the novel will be to create a small playlist for Crispin’s iPod (we’re assuming he had one back then).  So, as you read be thinking of songs that fit with Crispin’s life and personality.

Until next Friday, have fun in the sun.

- Mister Holbrook