Create a Pre-Reading Journal

Students will need to keep a record of their answers here for one of the exercises they will do after reading the book. If this discussion is taking place as a class, designate a student to act as secretary to take notes on the answers to these questions. If students...

Vocabulary

Have students keep a list of unfamiliar or interesting words and phrases that they encounter in their reading. Can they derive a definition for the word or phrase from context? Have them consult reference materials for the precise meaning of the word or phrase, the...

Why Rules?

Discuss with students the following questions: Why does a classroom or school have rules? How are these rules enforced in your class or school? How do these rules prepare students for the world outside the classroom?

Palestinian-Israeli Conflict

Arrange for your Social Studies/History teacher to come and speak to the class about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in order to provide background for this book.

Walled Communities

As a class, locate Israel on a map. Identify the locations of Bethlehem, the West Bank and where the wall of the book’s title is located. How would students feel if they lived in a community surrounded by a wall?