The Global Read Aloud
Global Read Aloud is one of my favourite learning activities! I love seeing students explore rich literature and connect with other students to share their perspectives. As the Literacy with ICT Teacher Leader for my school division, I support teachers with technology-integration, so the Global Read Aloud provides an awesome opportunity to leverage technology to make connections with classes in other places.
I was thrilled to see a Manitoban author featured this year. I read The Barren Grounds by David A. Robertson and jotted down discussion questions or prompts. Feel free to use any of these questions/prompts for discussions in your class or with your partner classrooms! I like posting a question or prompt on Padlet or Flipgrid each week to keep the connection going between partner classrooms, but many of the prompts would also work for in-class discussion or video calls. If you’re reading The Barren Grounds this year, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and that you have some great discussions with your class!
Week 1: Chapters 1-5
What have you learned about Morgan and Eli so far?
What do you know about foster homes and/or what questions do you have about foster care?
(after chapter 3)
What do you think about Mrs. Edwards’ response to Morgan’s work?
(after chapter 4)
Morgan asks Emily, “Why are you being so nice to me?” and Emily responds “Why wouldn’t I be?”. Morgan then repeats the conversation with Eli when he asks “Why would you do that?” and Morgan replies “Why wouldn’t I?”
The expression “Why wouldn’t I?” implies that the default response is kindness, empathy and friendship. Why might Eli and Morgan be suspicious of this kindness?
Week 2: Chapters 6-10
(after chapter 6)
Eli and Morgan seem to have stumbled upon a magical world. Make a prediction. What might happen next? Share the details of how this story might unfold. Use your imagination and have fun adding some details.
(after chapter 8)
Eli asks Morgan if she’d want to go into the picture to another world. (p. 70). Would you go? Why or why not?
Morgan says to Eli, “You just want to pretend it’s your home because you don’t have one anymore.” (p 72). Thinking about your idea of home, what characteristics of home are most important to you? Who is home? Where is home? How does home feel for you?
Morgan says that because she grew up in white homes that she is “not Indigenous anymore”. Do you think someone can lose their culture? Explain why or why not.
(after chapter 9)
If you decided to go through the portal, what would be on your list of things to pack/wear/take with you?
Week 3: Chapters 11-14
(after Chapter 11)
The fisher said “All things are connected. Your world and this one, the sky and the land. All that is.” (p.88). What examples can you think of that demonstrate this idea of interconnectedness in the world?
(after Chapter 12)
Morgan isn’t sure what to do now that she’s in Misewa. What are the pros and cons of staying in Misewa? What are the pros and cons of leaving immediately?
Week 4: Chapters 15-18
(after Chapter 17)
The characters take on a challenging trek. Can you think of a time you’ve been on a challenging journey or participated in an activity similar to this? If yes, tell us about it. What skills and attitudes are needed to be successful in these situations?
(after Chapter 18)
Why do you think Eli wanted Ochek to let the wolf live? What do you think Ochek’s reasons were for letting him live?
Week 5: Chapters 19-22
(after Chapter 19)
Why do you think Eli is so determined that the wolf should live and be cared for?
The author, David A. Robertson, is a member of Norway House Cree nation. How has David A. Robertson interwoven Indigenous knowledge, stories and practices into The Barren Grounds? Share any examples you noticed and/or do some research to find out more about the Indigenous perspectives in this book.
Week 6: Chapters 23-27 (end)
What were your favourite and least favourite things about this story. Explain at least one thing you liked or disliked about it.
What might you expect from the second book in this saga?
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