Students will analyze Dominic’s growth throughout the novel and identify how experiences influence character development.
Materials:
- Reading journal
- Sticky notes
- Character tracking sheet
As students read, they create a timeline of Dominic’s development. For each major event, students record:
| Event | Dominic’s Reaction | What We Learned |
|
Suspension from School
|
||
| Life on the Farm | ||
|
Discovery of Secrets
|
||
| Working with Edith and Del | ||
|
Caring for Mabel
|
Students use direct quotations from the text to support observations.
Discussion Questions:
- How does Dominic view himself at the beginning of the story?
- What challenges force him to change?
- When does Dominic begin acting more responsibly?
- What role does failure play in his growth?
Extension: Write a diary entry from Dominic’s perspective after one of the novel’s major turning points.