Summer's reading - Activities

Activity 1:

Throughout the plot, both George Stoyonovich and Mr. Cattanzara try to escape from reality .

Listen to and watch another character, who wishes to escape from reality, in the song Bohemian Rhapsody performed by Queen (while reading the lyrics.) 

How do they escape from their reality?

Drag the correct answer to each of the characters. 

George Stoyonovich 

Goes to the park to day-dream.

Mr. Cattanzara 

Drinks alcohol.

The Queen singer 

Commits a crime. 

Now that you understand how different people escape from reality, what do you recommend they should do instead?

I recommend them, even though it's hard – to face the reality. People that face the reality can overcome it well, and in the future it will affect their reaction to other difficult situations in life. People that don't face their reality can become unconfident with low self-esteem.(20)

Activity 2: Cause and Effect

We have read in the book that things that happen make more sense when we understand why they have happened (the cause) and what the result is (the effect) 

Explain the following line from the story. Say what has happened to make George feel this way. Use the thinking skill of Explaining Cause and Effect to help you: "George knew he looked passable on the outside, but inside he was crumbling apart." 

George is not able to face the reality, which is why he is crumbling apart. His confidence is very low, and he didn't wanted people to see that. From the outside George looked confident and stiff but on the inside he was miserable.
(14)

2. Another issue to discuss here is the effect George's lie had on his life:

How did the lie George told affect his life? Consider both the short term and possible long term effects of the lie.

George's life has changed when he told his lie. George's life before the lie was simple, quite, and boring. After that lie, George kept thinking about the lie, and tried to avoid discovering it. He was busy escaping from the truth (Mr. C.). The short term effect was that he felt bad with himself, he shut himself in his room. The possible long term was that, he started to read, which can change his life.(15)

Activity 3: The author

Read the biography of the writer, Bernard Malamud .

Find and tick all the autobiographic details reflected in the story.

Bernard Malamud wrote about famous people. 

	Bernard Malamud wrote about famous people.
	Bernard Malamud worked at odd jobs.
	Bernard Malamud's mother died when he was young.
	Bernard Malamud was interested in simple people.
	Bernard Malamud wrote about people whose hopes come true.

How is the information you have just read about the author reflected in "A Summer's Reading"?

How does reading this information about Bernard Malamud add to or change your understanding of the story? 

Bernard Malamud wrote his main characters as simple people, who worked at odd jobs (George's father, Mr. C, George's sister…). George's mother also died when he was young, just as Malamud's mother. From this information I can understand that Malamud's mother was important to him, and her death was tragic to him. That is why he wrote that about George's mother. I can infer that Malamud was a simple guy, who was interested in simple people, and wrote about them.(18)

Activity 4: Compare and Contrast

How would you define the character of George Stoyonovich?

George is lazy, irresponsible, doesn't care about his life. He has big dreams. He knows that he can achieve them only by effort, struggle and endeavor, but he doesn't do anything to make his dreams come true. Even though he doesn't want to disappoint Mr.C, he still doesn't read as Mr. C wants him to.

Luckily for George, he is still young and able to change his situation, unlike Mr. Cattanzara.

The meaning of Stoyonovich in Polish is "Staying in one place".

The meaning of Cattanzara in Italian is "Chained to a place".

What is true about Mr. Cattanzara? 

Mr.C. is chained to his own life. He can't do anything about it, it's too hard to change his life at such an old age, after so long in this situation. He is fixated to his own place, his own neighborhood, his job and his addiction to alcohol.

2. Compare and contrast George and Mr. Cattanzara. How are they similar? How are they different? 

George and Mr. C are both lazy (Mr.C was lazy in the past, we can guess that is he deteriorated to alcoholism) and they are characterless. They also can't deal with problems in their lives, and can't face the reality. George, unlike Mr.C, absolutely can change his own life. He is young and his whole life is in front of him. In addition, George has someone that helps him change his life – Mr.C . He has the first push towards his change. Mr.C is too old and too addicted to change his life, he is already desperate. (17)

Activity 5:

The story brings up general themes through some specific examples.

Write the number of the theme next to its matching example: 

				עמודה ראשונה	עמודה שנייה
	<!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->	<!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->		Living in a multicultural society. 2	1.   Growing up.
	<!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->	<!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->		Coping with   difficulties. 3	2.   Being an immigrant.
	<!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->	<!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->		Taking responsibility. 1	3.   Proper Education

Why is the story titled "A Summer's Reading"?

The story is called "A Summer's Reading" because the story takes place in the summer, and the whole story deals with George's reading. I think that there's a contrast in that title, because summer's reading is usually mentioned when we talk about school work for the summer's vacation, but George dropped out of school.
(15)


(79)
Daphna

There's nothing left to say but goodbye

Activity 6: A Writing Activity

Dear Mr. Cattanzara,

It's been a long time since we have seen each other or spoken... I have to say that I really miss you.

I remember 10 years ago when you insisted that I needed to read books, but I never listened to you. Now I feel so sorry about that. I feel like I have wasted a lot of time by doing nothing. I remember that time when I lied to you, I told you that I was reading books. It was so silly in retrospect. 

I was so lazy at that time, but now I have grown up. Thanks to you, I have a job, and also a family with my dear wife Anna. I have already told my kids about you, how you took care of me since I was a child. None of this would have happened without you, thank you so much... You were like my father, my mother and my supporting and caring friend. You were the one who really cared.

I feel so sorry that it was too late for you to fix your situation, and now I understand why it was so important for you to fix mine. It's so sad that I can't give you this letter and I need to keep it in my drawer. You can't see my home, my family and to be with us…

God bless you in heaven. We will always remember you.

                                                                                   
Yours,
George.
Well done!
(95)

My Saturday dress

As the song says "Hanale and her Saturday dress", we can tell that clothing influences our lives. If Hanale doesn't have her Saturday dress, she won't be special. And that's how we can tell that society criticises us by what we wear, and how we should look.

Most people wake up in the morning, spending too much time thinking about what they will wear. Why? Because we care about what people think about us, and it's important for us to fit in. It's not hard to notice that people with designer clothes are more popular than other people. They seem to be wealthy and unique.

Society creates us certain laws to everywhere we go. For example, there is a certain way we should look at school, but there's some other way we should look when we go out to a party or a restaurant. It's obvious to all of us that we feel much better when we love what we're wearing and we feel more comfortable and confident.

In conclusion, clothes can change our confidence, feelings, and happiness. The sad thing is that society judges our clothes. But the saddest thing is that the society is us. We creat our own society and we're the responsibles.
(87)
Daphna

Me, Myself and I

Hello, my name is Chen Azulay and I'm from Kugel high school, Holon. I'm 16 years old (born on April 4th) and I have one brother, who's 19 years old. I have a dog named Sky (by me), and I love my family and friends. I love to have fun, make people laugh and take advantage of every moment in my life. 

First, my most favorite hobby is music. Singing, dancing, playing the piano, listening, writing, composing – that is what makes me happy.  Besides that, my appearance is important to me. I love jewelry and especially my nose piercing. I wanted it since I was in 6th grade, finally I did it in 9th grade. People in general don’t make me angry or hurt, however, I can get really angry by people who are really important to me. I think that this is my weak point, because sometimes I can't listen to anybody but me, and when I think I'm right – I will prove it.

Second, the quality I mostly hate and avoid is hypocrisy. I hate fake smiles and fake behavior. I want people to be honest and sincere with me. Usually, I try to hold in what I'm thinking (in order) to have better relationships with people. In school, some people say that I'm spoiled. I do think I'm spoiled, but in things I really care about I'm very diligent and a perfectionist. I love English (and languages in general), physics, math (sometimes), literature, and usually I can be interested in every subject. However, when I'm not interested in some material, I give up very quickly.

To sum it up, I'm friendly, caring and smiley. I have my own disadvantages, but I'm dealing with them. I love to expand my knowledge and my motto is that the sky is the limit!


Better. Good work!
(95)
Daphna