Raymonds Run By Toni Bambara Toni Cade Bambara

Raymond’s Run By Toni Bambara

Toni Cade Bambara 1939 - 1995 • • • Born in Harlem, NY Graduated from Queens College at 20 Degree in Theater Arts/English Began teaching at City College in 1965 Feminist Editor of two anthologies The Black Woman Tales and Stories of Black Folk Wrote the novels Gorilla, My Love The Salt Eaters Deep Sightings and Rescue Missions Those Bones Are Not My Child Film Director, academy award for Best Documentary “The Bombing of Osage Avenue” Died of colon cancer in 1995

Something to think about… • What responsibility should individuals have toward their family and community?

What is it? Describe what being ambitious looks like. Ambition With your elbow partner discuss individuals who have succeeded because they were ambitious. Is it good or bad to be ambitious?

Raymond’s Run Vocabulary Words • • Relay Clutch Prodigy Sidekick Periscope Admiring Liable ambition Meanings • • A series of people or things taking turns To grasp or hold tightly A person with exceptional talent A close friend A tube shaped optical device To feel wonder, pleasure or approval To be legally responsible To aspire to something

definition Part of speech synonyms word sentence Related words picture

Custom Practice Habit Convention usage A behavior or belief that is passed on to other generations Noun tradition Many families celebrate the holidays with personal traditions. picture Custom Practice Belief Heritage ritual

Harlem • Harlem has been home to a variety of ethnic groups, black and white, since the turn of the twentieth century. As the ethnic landscape has changed, cultural and religious buildings have been reshaped to serve the evolving populations. Harlem has been called a state of mind, but it is also a real place, remembered in oral histories, described in photographs, and evaluated by scholars.

Main Character • Squeaky the main character lives in Harlem, New York is tough and streetwise. How does squeaky reveal herself through her actions, her thoughts, and her words. How does she show that she cares about her family, neighborhood, and people who live in her city?

Text Dependent Questions • What does the narrator reveal about her family and her own responsibility in the family? • How does she feel about this responsibility? • What can we learn about the narrators character after reading bottom of page 7 – top of page 8

Text Dependent Questions • Describe the conflict that Squeaky faces and how she manages it? • Squeaky doesn’t think that girls can really be true friends. Cite proof of this from text. • What piece of dialogue best demonstrates how protective Squeaky is of Raymond?

Text Dependent Questions • Throughout the story, Squeaky has been focused on winning the race. After the race is over, her focus changes. – What new plans does she make? – How have her feelings changed? • Explain using text from the story to support your answer

Text Dependent Questions • How does the new respect between Squeaky and Gretchen affect her opinion of relationships between girls? – Support your answer with details and quotes from the text.

Closing thoughts • Why is the story called Raymond’s Run and not Squeaky’s Run? • How do Squeaky and Gretchen feel about each other at the end of the race? • Summarize Squeaky’s feelings about herself and her brother Raymond at the end of the story?

Formative Activity • _______ Life in Six Words • Choose either – Squeaky, Raymond, or Gretchen • Create a six word memoir with a connected image that is a reflection of the character as developed in the story – Created on 8 ½ by 11 paper – Be creative, innovative, and meaningful – All grammar, spelling, and punctuation must be correct • Be sure to focus on truly personal aspects of the character

Text Dependent Questions • Read the text dependent questions Consider How does Squeaky’ s revelation about the talents of other individuals help to mold her opinion and mutual respect of others? • Using the sentence starter provided find evidence in the test that supports an answer to that question • Record on the handout provided • Review answers

Conflict Complication How Conflict is Resolved

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

Tone • Describe the tone of Raymond’s Run • Use evidence from the text? – How does Squeaky’s personality affect the mood or atmosphere of the story?

Draw Conclusions • How do the events in the story change the way Squeaky views competition? – Chart the connections between the circumstances of Squeaky’s life and her character traits. Life traits

Squeaky Raymond Gretchen

Drawing Conclusions Making Inferences How do the events in the story change the way Squeaky views competition? How do you think Squeaky’s continued responsibility for Raymond has shaped her view of responsibility. Complete the graphic organizer using details from the text. Complete the graphic organizer using evidence details from the text. Compare and Contrast Summarizing What are some differences/similarities between Squeaky and Gretchen. As briefly as possible, focusing on the key points or details, retell the story of Squeaky and Raymond. Complete the graphic organizer using details from the text. Complete the graphic organizer.

Activity 1 Design a T-shirt for the May Day Race runners. The design must represent the character traits shown by the character Squeaky in the story. Activity 3 Working with a partner rewrite one scene of this story as a dramatic dialogue between the characters. Think about what dialogue, body language and actions would be realistic for each character. Activity 2 Write an acceptance speech for the winner of the May Day Race. The speech must reflect the characters personality, feelings and traits as presented by the author in the story. Activity 4 Retell the story from Gretchen’s point of view.