PECOS BILL THE CYCLONE BY HAROLD W FELTON

PECOS BILL: THE CYCLONE, BY HAROLD W. FELTON DAY 1

NOTES ON STYLE Contemporary writers’ work is often influenced by the literary traditions of the past. Among these are the mythic, classical, and traditional literary traditions. A myth is a story that explains the actions of gods or human heroes, the reasons for certain beliefs, or the causes of natural features and events. Mythic literature expresses the central value of a culture. A tall tale is a type of traditional literature that has a larger-than-life hero, far- fetched situations and amazing feats, humor, and hyperbole, or exaggeration. Tall tales were especially popular on the American frontier.

NOTES ON AUTHOR Harold W. Felton practiced law and worked for the Internal Revenue Service, but he became increasingly interested in the United Stated folklore. Over his life he collected and retold hundreds of tales.

VOCABULARY DEFINITIONS (FOR THE NEXT THREE DAYS Word List A Word List B Capable [Kay puh buhl] adj. having the power or skill Ambition [am BI shuhn] n. a goal or aim Cyclone [SY klohn] n. tornado Arrogance [ER uh guhns] n. snobbery; the act of looking down on others Destruction [di STRUK shuhn] n. the act of ruining or damaging greatly Devised [di VYZD] v. planned or invented a way of doing something Extreme [ek STREEM] adj. very great Gradually [GRA jyoo uhl ee] adj. slowly; over time Fatal [FAYT uhl] adj. resulting in death Intercepted [in ter SEP tud] adj. caught on the way from one place to another Heave [HEEV] n. the act of pulling or throwing with great effort Radiant [RAY dee uhnt] adj. showing happiness and love Missile [MIS uhl] n. an object that is thrown and intended to cause harm Wreckage [REK uhj] n. broken pieces left after something is damaged Steadfastly [STED FAST lee] adj. without pausing or wavering Wretched [RECH id] adj. extremely bad; miserable Mortify [MOR deh fye] v. cause (someone) to feel embarrassed, ashamed, or humiliated. Usurp [YOO serp] v. take (a position of power or

VOCABULARY EXERCISE A – FILL IN EACH BLANK IN THE PARAGRAPH BELOW WITH THE APPROPRIATE WORD FROM WORD LIST A – THE WORDS MAY NOT REPEAT! The people of Pleasantville were shocked at the [1] _____ caused by the full-blown [2] _____ that had passed through town earlier that day. When they had first heard that a storm was approaching town, they were not that worried. Who knew it would be [3] _____ of creating such [4] _____ and devastation? It had picked up a large rock from the Anderson’s yard and hurled it life a [5] _____ through the plateglass window of Vera’s Video Store. With a violent [6] _____, it had deposited a car into the municipal pool. Luckily, even though it was the most [7] _____ weather the town had ever known, there were no [8] _____ consequences, only a few minor injuries.

VOCABULARY EXERCISE B– ANSWER THE QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SENTENCES OR EXPLANATIONS. 1. Why is a good idea to complete a chore steadfastly? 2. Describe a plan you or someone else have devised for getting a project done. 3. What would you life to say to someone who displays too much arrogance? 4. What kind of feeling would give you a radiant glow? 5. Describe your main ambition as a young adult. 6. Describe a time when you intercepted a ball, a message, or a look. 7. Name something that is best to do gradually. 8. What kind of weather do you think is the most wretched of all?

READ “PECOS BILL: THE CYCLONE” – P. 1218 -1224

CRITICAL THINKING 1. Respond: Which parts of the tale did you find funniest? Explain. 2. (a) What term does Bill use to refer to the cyclone cellars? (b) Draw Conclusions: What do you learn about the character of Pecos Bill from his reaction to the cellars? 3. (a) What word is Bill unwilling to say aloud? (b) Draw conclusions: How does his decision never to say this word explain why he is a folk hero? 4. (a) Analyze: What are three human characteristics of the cyclone? (b) Compare and Contrast: How does the cyclone resemble Pecos Bill himself? Do heroes have responsibilities? (a) How does Pecos Bill ultimately show responsibility to his community? Explain. (b) Do you think Bill has a responsibility to use his special abilities to help his community, or can he choose not to? Explain.

PLACE THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS INTO A DIAGRAM LIKE THE ONE SHOWN BELOW TO NOTE THE DIFFERENCES ON THE TYPE OF STATEMENT Tall Tale Fact Pecos Bill raised coyotes when he was a baby. Cyclones are storms with very strong winds. The Pecos River is in Texas. Pecos Bill rode on a cyclone. The Grand Canyon is in Arizona. A rattlesnake can be used as a lasso. Pecos Bill tamed a mountain lion. Cowboys take care of cattle.

ESSAY – CREATIVE WRITING Directions: Create your own legend for Pecos Bill and his horse, Widow-Maker. He must encounter one of the following in your story: an earthquake, a blizzard, a tidal wave, a thunderstorm, or a heat wave. Three (3) pages – skip lines, please Must have PLOT: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution

PLOT DIAGRAM - COPY THE FOLLOWING DIAGRAM AND PUT THE PARTS OF YOUR STORY INTO THE APPROPRIATE PLACE

TODAY’S GRADE CHECKLIST – COPY THIS ONTO A SHEET OF PAPER AND STAPLE EVERYTHING TOGETHER! I. Author/Style notes ___/10 pts. Vocabulary Definitions ___/10 pts. Vocabulary Exercise A ___/10 pts. Vocabulary Exercise B ___10 pts. Oral Reading ___/10 pts. Critical Thinking Questions ___/10 pts Tall-Tale or Fact Diagram ___/10 pts. Essay: Creative Writing ___/20 pts. Plot Diagram ___/10 pts. Total: 100 pts. II. “Pecos Bill: The Cyclone” online test ___/100 pts. Total: 100 pts.