All+the+Broken+Pieces

Group members: Aaron, Jordon, Nigel, Corbin, Sara, Brooke, Raphael


 * Reading: pages 1-20 **

**Vocabulary**:

__**Staccato**__ (adj) marked by short clear-cut playing or singing of tones or chords //"I hear her voice, thin, shrill __staccato__ notes, her words short puffs of air, that push me along, inch by inch, breath by breath."// //(Page 2)//

__**Tuft**__ (noun) a bunch of soft fluffy threads cut off short and use as ornament //"Only one straight __tuft__ sticks up, like of sun-scorched hay." (Page 8) //

**__Mangled__** (adj) to injure with deep disfiguring wounds by cutting, tearing, or crushing //"Who would want a little boy, __mangled__ and deformed, she said, with missing fingers and stumps instead of legs?" (Page 9) //

By: Brooke December 1

//We did not talk about the American War, how tanks __lumbered__ in the roads like drunken elephants, and bombs fell from the sky like dead crows.//
Nigel Lam, Dec 11


 * Summary: **

Matt a Vietnamese boy was adopted to an American family and now has a new American brother. He had to leave his brother back in Vietnam because of the war. He wakes up in the middle of the night screaming and his new mother comes in and comforts him. Matt plays ball with his dad and repeatedly catches the ball. Matt recalls his first time at the park he said how he was 10 years old and wondered what the park was. He said that he still can't believe there is a place made just for children. Tommy, Matt's younger brother, is to young to play baseball with Matt to when they take him to the park they push him on the swing. In school for veterans day Matt wrote an essay on freedom that said "Freedom is the color of bright red sneakers." In his first two years in America Matt went back to the adoption agency every Saturday to learn English. Once a month his mother and father came with him and they spent the day at the adoption center reading fairy tails and legends.

By: Sara 12/1/10


 * Significant Quotes: **

//"My name is Matt Pin and her name I remember is Phang My. His name I will never say, though forever I carry his blood in my blood, forever his bones stretched in my bones." (p.1) // <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This quote is important because it tells the main characters name, Matt Pin, another character, Phang My, and a person who's name will not be told by the main character. It also tells of a mystery of how Phang My and the mystery character are related to him.

//<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"I have another brother. Dark skin, dark eyes, straight black hair, and a laugh like a babbling, bubbling, quickly tumbling brook. She would not let him come. If we got separated, he might not survive. Who would want a little mangled and deformed, she said,......" (p.9) // <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This quote is important because it tells of Matt's brother; how he has missing fingers and stumps for legs but he was still a happy child. It also tells of what is most likely his mother, "she", and how she wouldn't let his brother come to the United States with him.

//<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"In school for Veterans Day we write essays on freedom. I write, Freedom is the color of red sneakers." (p. 17-18) // <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This quote is important because it shows how Matt thinks that true freedom is like his adopted brothers fun on the swing in red sneakers.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Aaron 12/1/10


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Illustrator:[[image:108432215_af6d7c5b21_m.jpg width="194" height="123"]] **
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This picture relates to our reading because it shows a helicopter and Matt talked about being airlifted by a helicopter in the war. **
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(jordon white 12/1/10) **


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sound tracker: **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(Metallica one) ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I Can't Remember Anything Can't Tell If this Is True or Dream Deep down Inside I Feel to Scream this Terrible Silence Stops Me Now That the War Is Through with Me I'm Waking up I Can Not See That There Is Not Much Left of Me Nothing Is Real but Pain Now Hold My Breath as I Wish for Death Oh Please God,wake Me Back in the Womb its Much Too Real in Pumps Life That I must Feel but Can't Look Forward to Reveal Look to the Time When I'll Live Fed Through the Tube That Sticks in Me Just like a Wartime Novelty Tied to Machines That Make Me Be Cut this Life off from Me Hold My Breath as I Wish for Death Oh Please God,wake Me Now the World Is Gone I'm Just One Oh God,help Me Hold My Breath as I Wish for Death Oh Please God Help Me Darkness I'mprisoning Me All That I See Absolute Horror I Cannot Live I Cannot Die Trapped in Myself Body My Holding Cell Landmine Has Taken My Sight Taken My Speech Taken My Hearing Taken My Arms Taken My Legs Taken My Soul Left Me with Life in Hell ====

**<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Vocabulary: **
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">__**Tet Trung Thu**__ (noun) an ancient festival of Vietnam that revolves around children and takes place on the 15th day of the 8th Lunar Month //“But anyway, twice a year we get together. We celebrate Tet or __Tet Trung Thu.__" (p. 25).//

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">__**Dustoff Patch**__ (noun) a badge worn/given to people who served on a U.S. Military’s air ambulance unit //<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Maybe one day Jeff can show you his __Dustoff patch__, Dad says Saturday during breakfast." (p.30). //

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">__**Staccato**__ (adj) marked by short clear-cut playing or singing of tones or chords //<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Notes are like numbers, never changing. __Staccato__ or sustained, pounded or tapped, notes always stay the same." (p. 33). //

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Aaron Joy 12/2/10


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Summary: **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the pages 21-41 Matt Pin takes piano lessons from Jeff and how matt try’s out for the baseball team as a pitcher. He tells stories about how he was airlifted in Vietnam and how he had to leave his family but most importantly his brother. Matt tells about his brutal story in Vietnam and how his brother was mangled by bombs and how he had to carry him. Matt Phin also talks about the monsters he dreams about from Vietnam.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Jordon December 2


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Significant quotes: **

//<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"For two years I learned about Vietnam but it was not any Vietnam I remember." (pg 21) // <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The reason this is important is because Matt found out how they don’t teach about the real things that happen in the war.

//<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"My Vietnam is drenched in smoke and fog." (pg 22) // <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Matt cannot remember anything good about his country all he remembers is the war.

//<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"He needs to experience his culture my mother answered." (pg 27) // <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">His mother sees that Matt is not getting enough of his culture and forgetting all of his old memories and his family.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Raphael December 2

This image goes with what I read because Matt Pin tries out for the Baseball Team, and makes it.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Illustration: **

Corbin Miller Dec 12.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sound tracker: **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nelly Kelly loved baseball games, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Knew the players, knew all their names, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You could see her there ev'ry day, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Shout "Hurray" when they'd play. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Her boy friend by the name of Joe <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Said, "To Coney Isle, dear, let's go," <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Then Nelly started to fret and pout, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And to him I heard her shout.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Take me out to the ball game, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Take me out with the crowd. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I don't care if I never get back, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Let me root, root, root for the home team, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If they don't win it's a shame. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At the old ball game."

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nelly Kelly was sure some fan, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She would root just like any man, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Told the umpire he was wrong, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">All along, good and strong. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When the score was just two to two, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nelly Kelly knew what to do, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Just to cheer up the boys she knew, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She made the game sing this song.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Take me out to the ball game, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Take me out with the crowd. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I don't care if I never get back, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Let me root, root, root for the home team, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If they don't win it's a shame. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At the old ball game."

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This song connects to the book because Matt’s dad asked Matt to try out for the school baseball team. Matt decides to try out and goes to a baseball tryouts practice.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(Sara 12/2/10)

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Reading: pages 42-59

 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Vocabulary: **


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Summary: **


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Significant Quotes: **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">//“My brother died because of you.” (Page 49)// <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This quote is important because it shows how people in America at that time thought of people from Vietnam because they had a war with them. This shows that Americans may have disliked the people from Vietnam because some Americans died in the war.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">//“Only four seventh graders made the team and I am one of them” (Page 54)// <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This quote is important because Matt has been playing baseball throughout the book and his dad was trying to get him to try out for the baseball team. He tried out for the team and he made the team.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">//“Even the broken pieces are worth something to me” (page 59)// <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He is saying that everything and everyone is important. He is saying that his life is made of broken pieces and they are all important.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(Sara 12/3/10)


 * Illustration:**

"Baseball for baby bob" by Shutter Daddy []I chose this picture because in these pages they mostly talk about baseball, and how Matt signed up for tryouts. This picture gives me the feeling about an illusion that someone is inspired to do something, which I feel Matt is inspired to play baseball. Brooke (12/6/10)

**Sound tracker:** **<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He runs the bases like a choo-choo train ** **<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Swings around second like an aeroplane ** **<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">His cap flies off when he passes third ** **<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And he heads home like an eagle bird. ** **<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Say hey, say who? ** **<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Say Willie ** **<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Say hey, say who? ** **<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Swinging at the plate ** **<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Say hey, say who? ** **<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">That Giants kid is great **

**<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This song reflects the pages we read because Matt makes the baseball team as there pitcher. As soon as Matt makes the team the other boys make fun of Matt. **

**<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(Jordon White 12/5/10) **

**Reading Pages 60-79**

**Vocabulary:**

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">__**Alcove**__ (noun) A recess or small room adjacent to or opening out of a room. //<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“The piano sits in an __alcove__ at the bottom of the stairs. (page 61) //

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">__**Monsoon**__ The seasonal wind of the Indian Ocean and southern Asia, Blowing from the southwest in summer and from the northeast in winter. //“Maybe love is like a __monsoon rain.__” (page 67)//

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">__**Gurgle**__ (verb) flow in a broken irregular current with a bubbling sound. //<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Every __gurgle__ and ooze tiptoes away and were left wishing and waiting for rain again.” // <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(Sara 12/6/10)

**Summary:**

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In these pages Matt and his team the Lions play in there first official game of the season. Most of the kids were nervous. The game starts, and the Lions are up first. Batter one goes up, and strike one. He tries again and he hits one up the field and gets a single. The next batter hits one up the field. He gets a double. The next batter hit a home run. That inning the Lions scored 3 points. Then it was time for the Lions to play in the field. Matt was told to pitch. He watched his coach for the "signal" and pitched. The ball flew right to home plate, and dropped at the last second. Strike one, two, and three. The batter was quickly out, and the next two quickly followed the same pattern. The Lions won 11-0 against the Pirates. After the game the team went out for pizza. Matt father expressed to him how proud he was of his son.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Brooke (12/6/10)

In this section of the book Matt is assigned a report about one of his family members. The way he describes his birth mother signifies he knows little to nothing about her. A couple pages later he hears his parents disagreeing about him they are talking about sending him somewhere. Matt thinks they are going to send him away for something he did. His parents catch him eavesdropping but they act like nothing happened. That night Matt reflects on what love is and why his real mother in Vietnam sent him away even though she said she loved him.The next day Matt's team has a baseball game against the Plymouth Pirates and win 11-0.

Nigel Lam (12/6/10)

**Significant Quotes:****"When i play the piano, I'm sheltered in that safe place where the only thing that matters is music"****(page62)****I think that this qoute is important because it tells about how matt feels when he plays the piano.** **"I take a deep breath and sneak a look at Coach Robeson. His nod pushes down the butterflies in my stomach"****(page 72)****I think this qoute is important because it shows how much Matt trusts Coach Robeson.** **"Did you see the look on number five's face? He's their star player.****(page78)****I think this qoute is important because it shows Matt is a realy good pitcher with alot of potential.****(JorDon White 1/2/2011** **Illustration: **

Lions Team Logo @http://www.sports2blog.com/archive/2009/April.htm I chose this picture because the reading mostly talks about Matt's baseball game against the Pirates. So, I found a Lions logo and placed the score on top.

Aaron Joy 12/6/10

**Sound tracker:**

**<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 202.5pt 0pt 0in;">Reading Pages 80- 99 **

**<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 202.5pt 0pt 0in;">Vocabulary:__Ballad__. (page80) "Isn't that supposed to be a lonesome ballad?" ****<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 202.5pt 0pt 0in;">Ballad: a popular kind of narrative poems. ** __Bunting__. (page82) "Some bunting." Bunting:A bird of the Genus Emberiza.

__Lotus__. (page89) "The green paddies and the pink lotus, and the blue sky and the silver moon." Lotus: A water Lily. **<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 202.5pt 0pt 0in;">Summary: **

In this section Matt starts out playing the piano. However, he is having a difficult time playing a lonesome ballad after pitching a perfect game. Matt then heads out to his baseball practice and has to listen to Coach Robeson lecture about how good he played and how the team showed great team work. Rob is still jealous and calls Matt "Frog-face" again. On Saturday, Matt plays piano again with Jeff and also plays a baseball game beating the Titans 5 to 2. For some reason during that game, Matt looked at Jeff while pitching. This caused him to lose his focus and he dropped the ball allowing a run to get in. After the game, Matt and Jeff go to get a burger. When Jeff asks Matt about Vietnam Matt goes into a flash back while he lived in in Vietnam. In the flashback, He was trying to carry his brother back to his mother after something happened to his little brother. Jeff asked him what happened but Matt couldn't answer. Jeff and Matt return back home where Matt's Mom and Dad are waiting to talk to him about helping others from Vietnam. Matt becomes very spaced out thinking about the rings on the table and of a foster kid named Troy. He only hears pieces of what they say. They tell Matt that he can help others in a similar position as him. So now every other Thursday he attends V.V. (Veterans Voices) to help others affected by the Vietnam War.

Aaron Joy 12/7/10

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 202.5pt 0pt 0in; text-align: left;">**Significant Quotes:**

//<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Matt was focused. He did a great job. But you all did. You all worked together. That’s what makes a championship team. Working together”. (page 81) // <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This quote is important because when Matt Pin played his first game of the season he pitched a no-hitter. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But his whole team worked together to win even though some people on Matt’s team don’t like him.

//<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“ I’d like to talk to you about Vietnam.” (page 87) // <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This quote is important because when Jeff and Matt go out to eat Jeff wants to learn more about Matt’s rough childhood in Vietnam and how he had to carry his bruised and wailing body.

//<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“ There is darkness all around us, but you will never be alone” (page 91) // <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I think this quote is important because it shows how Matt’s new mother comforts him when he has bad dream at night about what he left in Vietnam.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Jordon White (12/6/10)

**<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 202.5pt 0pt 0in;">Illustration: ** I used this picture because Coach Robeson just found out that he had cancer. He is telling his team he’s retiring and he found a new coach that has a good experience with baseball. (Raphael presson december 7)

**<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 202.5pt 0pt 0in;">Sound tracker: **

Artist(band) **[|Blackfield]**

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Album <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">zzz N/A

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">share my cup <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">tie me up <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">never part <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">break my heart

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">go to sleep <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">wound me deep <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">be at peace <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">make me bleed

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">do no harm <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">twist my arm <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">lie with grace <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">smash my face

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">kiss the ground <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">drag me down <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">stop the noise <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">smash my toys

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">how does it feel without your drugs? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(sing you a lullaby) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">how does it feel without my love? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(sing you a lullaby)

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I chose this song because in the pages we read we talked about how Matt' s mother used to comfort him when they were in Vietnam. She would sing him a lullaby, to try and calm him down.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0in 202.5pt 0pt 0in;"> Brooke (12-7-10)

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When I was a little girl I wanted to be a soprano <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But I had to sit and practice on my rotten old piano <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Playing major scales and than i played the minors once again <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now up and down the keys I play and out of these <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I play a tirade of all the exercises <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">never any new surprises...

I chose this piece because it has to do with pianos and piano lessons which Matt takes in the sections we read.

Nigel 12/7/10


 * Reading Pages 100- 119**


 * Vocabulary:**


 * Summary:**

**Significant Quotes:**

//"He kicks me with his soft bare feet." (Page 119)// This is important because it make me think that Matt remembers when he would play with his brother in Vietnam, before he lost his limbs.

//"Lucky little frog-face, Billy said." (Page 118)// I think this is important because even though Matt scored, to win the game, Billy still treats Matt horribly.

//"Matt this is Christopher." (Page 104)// This is important because Christopher went to Vietnam during the war, so he can kinda understand.

Brooke 12-7-10

//"Dad just grabs the stump that's there instead."// page 105 The statement kind of explains what Chris lost.

//"Whether we went or whether we stayed, the war changed us all."// page 109 This describes part of the repercussions that the war had on people.

//"My mother is making dinner, so I need to watch Tommy."// page 119 This quote shows that Matt cares for his brother. Nigel Lam December 13

[|**http://www.compfight.com/search/peace/1-3-1-1**] <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I chose this image because when Matt was describing how the Vietnam Veterans looked like he described one as wearing a rainbow peace sign on the back of his sweatshirt. This is important because he said he expected them to look like solders but he said that they just look like beat up men.
 * Illustration:**

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sara 12/10/10


 * Sound Tracker:**


 * Exert From Ragged Old Flag By: Johnny Cash **

On Flanders Field in World War I She got a big hole from a Bertha gun She turned blood red in World War II She hung limp and low by the time it was through

She was in Korea and Vietnam She went where she was sent by her Uncle Sam She waved from our ships upon the briny foam And now they've about quit waving her back here at home

In her own good land here she's been abused She's been burned, dishonored, denied, and refused And the government for which she stands Is scandalized throughout the land

And she's getting threadbare and she's wearing thin But she's in good shape for the shape she's in 'Cause she's been through the fire before And I believe she can take a whole lot more

I chose this song because it tells of wars we’ve been in and how they affect the country as a whole, which relates to how the Vietnam War affected many people Matt has met. Matt's foster Dad, Mom and real brother were all affected by the war.

Aaron 12/7/10

**Reading Pages** **120-139**


 * Vocabulary:**

__Unfurled-__ to open out as if in a folded state //"When yards and yards of are __**unfurled**__, small rubber balls start bouncing everywhere."// Page 122

__Lulls-__ to cause to rest or sleep "//Even when it's so loud you can't here anything else, music **__lulls__** you to sleep."// __Cancer-__ a malignant tumor of potentially unlimited growth that expands locally by invasion and systemically by metastasis "//Some __**cancers**__ are sneaky." Page 134//

Brooke (12-8-10)

__Solitary__- being the only one //"Only my baseball unwinds in a __solitary__ path across the gleaming gym floor."// Page 121

__Dissecting__- to cut apart to examine the structure //"I don't think dissecting a baseball is going to make me play better or understand anything better, but I put all the broken pieces in my pocket."// Page 123

__Caesura__- a break, pause, or interruption //"There was a silent pause, a// pausa di breve//, like a __caesura__, the railroad line on the top line of the staff, telling us to stop, to wait, not to rush through."// Page 129

Nigel Lam 12/8/10

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Matt is played with his little brother Tommy while his Mother makes dinner. In baseball Matt and his teammates are told to unroll baseballs. Matt’s teammates had gotten themselves twisted in it but Matt's yarn from the baseball was in a solitary path going across the gym floor. After they dissect the baseball put its broken pieces into his pocket. Matt goes back to be with the Vietnam Veterans, he is not as nervous this time, everyone gets into a circle and the Veterans tell stories about being in Vietnam. Matt wonders what Jeff, Chris, Jo, his mom, and his dad would think if they knew his story. He wonders if his mom would ask him to watch Tommy while she made dinner or pick up Tommy and push him away if she knew his story. Coach Robeson hasn’t been at baseball practice for a few days and it turned out that he had cancer and couldn’t coach he team anymore.
 * Summary:**

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(Sara 12/8/10)


 * Significant Quotes:**

// “Sometimes it’s useful to open things up and have a look. Sometimes is helps to understand why things work the way the do (Coach Robeson). I don’t think dissecting a baseball is going to make me play better or understand anything better, but I put all the broken pieces in my pocket." (Page 123) // I chose this quote because is it teaches a very important lesson, it can help you understand to know why something works. Matt doesn’t understand it at the time but it could “click” in his head and help him someday. The end of it also relates to the title of the book and the tattered baseball on the cover.

// “That night it was hard to sleep. I wonder what Jeff and Joe and Chris would say if they knew my story, if I broke the circle and told them." (Page 131) // I chose this quote because it tells of how Matt decided not to tell his story at V.V. (Veteran Voices) and is debating on how it would change the relationship between his friends and later on his family.

// “What can we do? All we can do is show him how much we care, she says. How about throwing a dinner party at the pavilion? I ask. My mother pauses, then smiles. I’ll call Mrs. Brennan. We’ll see what we can do." (Page 136) // I chose this quote because is shows Matt’s ability to cheer others up that are in need of it. If only he could do that during the V.V. meetings.

Aaron 12/8/10


 * Illustration:[[image:broken_baseball.jpg width="192" height="144" caption="thanks to wallula" link="http://www.flickr.com/photos/96051441@N00/460760449/"]]**
 * This picture relates to the book because on page 123 when Matt says" I dont think dissecting a ball is going to make me play better or understand anything better.**
 * (JorDon White 1/2/2011)**


 * Soundtracker:**


 * Reading: Pages 140-159**


 * Vocabulary:**

Podium (noun) a small platform for the conductor of an orchestra, for a public speaker, etc. “At dinner while we eat at salad, Rob’s father, Mr. Brennan, stands at the podium.”

Oozing (verb) to flow, percolate, or exude slowly, as through holes or small openings. “I play with my Russian lava dressing, hiding the onions underneath the lettuce, trying to keep the lava from oozing out.”

Saigon (noun) former name of Ho Chis Minh City: capital of former South Vietnam 1954–76. “Matt was one of the older kids airlifted out of Saigon, Jeff says.”


 * Summary:**


 * Significant Quotes:**


 * Illustrator:**


 * Sound tracker:**

__<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Artist (band) __ <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Filter

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">I cross the oceans <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">I cross the seas <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">I cross the mountains <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">Like a new disease <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">I cross the borders <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">I cross the line <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">Never to see the light <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">'Till the end of time

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">I've seen the canyons <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">I've seen the cities <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">I've seen the prisons <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">That take such pity <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">When it comes to you <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">When it comes to me <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">It's just money <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">That'll set you free

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">(Hey my children) <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">What seems important won't last forever <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">(Hey my children) <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">What seems important won't last forever

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">Take a look at the earth <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">From a plane <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">You'll see the earth <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">Cut up and in pain <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">From the sky <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">What you see <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">Should make you cry

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">(Hey my children) <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">What seems important won't last forever <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">(Hey my children) <span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">What seems important won't last forever I picked this song because in this reading Jeff told the group about Matts story in Vietnam and how he was rescued by a plane and this song relates to that.

Sara 12/9/10


 * Reading: pages 160-179**


 * Vocabulary:**


 * Summary:**

"Thanks for coming" This quote shows that the Vietnam Veterans appreciate Matt coming to their meetings.(page 161) "Chris wheels himself onto the field.. Before we start our stretches Coach Chambers introduces him as Coach Williams." This is important because he has seen Chris at the Veteran meetings and now he may get to know him better.(page 166)
 * Significant Quotes:**

"She trys so hard. All the time she trys so hard." Matt is saying that his mom trys so hard to show him that she loves him.(page 177)

(Sara 12/12/10)


 * Illustrator:**

Yankee Doodle went to townA-riding on a pony,Stuck a feather in his capAnd called it macaroni'.//Chorus//:Yankee Doodle keep it up,Yankee Doodle dandy,Mind the music and the step,And with the girls be handy.//Alternate chorus//:Yankee Doodle-doodle-doo,Yankee Doodle dandy,All the lassies are so smartAnd sweet as sugar candy.Fath'r and I went down to camp,Along with Captain Gooding,And there we saw the men and boysAs thick as hasty pudding. I chose this song because on page 160 at v.v people tell a story about a boy with his face burned off who learned to sing yankee doodle dandy.(JorDon White 1/2/2011)
 * Sound tracker:**


 * Reading: Pages 180-197**

__Whirl-__ (Verb) To revolve rapidly about a center or axis."Bui Dui you cannot stay here while helicopters __whirl"__ (page 189)
 * Vocabulary:**

__Fused__- (verb) To become mixed or united by or as if by melting together. "And the fingers of her hand were __fused__ together." (page 194)

__Wander__-(verb) To move about without a definite destination or purpose. "He __wandered__ away from me"

(Sara 12/13/10)


 * Summary:** Matt is paired with Rob for a activity coach Williams assigns. They are to gather one baseball, mitt, catchers mask, and one of each of the sports equipment on the field with one of the pair blindfolded the the other leading them. Rob trys to do this all on his own and trying to ignore Matt. Rob successfully gathers six of the seven pieces of equipment but can't find the catchers mask**.** Matt attempts to direct Rob to the catchers mask but, Rob refuses to listen to him and says, "My brother died because of you." In reply Matt tells him how he technically lost his brother**.** This also causes Rob to explain what kind of relationship he had with his brother so they're differences are resolved. Nigel Lam 12/13

I chose this picture because a bandanna helped Robert and Matt solved there differences. Matt learned that Robert's brother died in the Vietnam war and Robert blamed it on him. Robert learned that Matt thinks that he caused his 3 year old brother to lose limbs. They might now be able to work better as a team or become friends and that could effect the story.
 * Significant Quotes:**
 * "I'm never gonna need your help for anything, frog-face.(page 187)**
 * I chose this qoute because it shows how Rob feel about Matt.**
 * "I hate you, he says. My brother died because of you.(page 188)**
 * I chose this qoute because it shows that Rob blames Matt for his brothers death even though he had nothing to do with it.**
 * "Some cancers are sneaky,they creep up on you.(page 189)**
 * I chose this qoute because it shows that coach Robeson has cancer**
 * (JorDon White 1/2/2011)**
 * Illistrator:**

Aaron 12/14/10 [] By: Falcon1961 This image is important because at the end of the reading the team goes bowling and Rob is nice to Matt and said jokingly "its ok to get strikes in bowling" and they laugh.

(Sara 12/15/10)


 * Sound tracker:**


 * Reading: Pages 198-219**


 * Vocabulary:**
 * (page201) fiddles." He fiddles with the radio but dosent sing."**
 * fiddle: to play a tune.**
 * (page203)waddles. "he waddles over when he sees me."**
 * waddle:to walk with short steps.**
 * (page218)babbling."run,run, I say, and he waddles around the yard laughing like a babbling ,bubbling, quickly tumbling brook, and I remember.**
 * (JorDon White)**


 * Summary:**

In this final reading Rob and Matt continue to figure out their differences through the blind-fold game. Matt’s Dad picks Matt up from practice and Matt begins to think about how when he started V.V. (Veterans Voices) his Dad said “//It’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it(What happened in Vietnam) right now. But some day you will.”// As Matt walks toward the door Tommy runs over and hugs him Matt gets a much unexpected crying feeling. Later that night Matt decides to talk to his parents about Vietnam. He thinks they will hate him for what he did but they say they don’t hate him. As Matt went to sleep that night his Mom came in and they talk about how loving her and his Dad doesn’t mean forgetting his real mother and brother. Next the baseball team goes to the Memorial Hospital to see Coach Robeson. Coach is happy Matt and Robert are cooperating and they give him signed baseball (by the team). Matt has gotten better at the piano and goes to another V.V. meeting and talks about the beauty of Vietnam. Then a few days later the baseball team has fun going bowling but Matt doesn’t bowl well and everyone laughs. Finally Matt tells us his brother’s name, Huu Hein. Aaron Joy 12/15/10

Coach William was trying to get Matt and Rob to resolve their differences and thought this was a good way of doing it**.**
 * Significant Quotes:** //I hope you and Matt can figure out for yourselves the purpose of this hunt//, he says and wheels away. page 200

//What happened to your brother wasn't your fault//, Dad says. page 205 I think his parents understand how guilty he feels and are trying to help him relieve some guilt.

//Vietnam is beautiful//**,** I say and I am not remembering stories someone told me or pictures from books.page 213 This is important because it shows Matt is remembering a place he wanted to forget. Nigel Lam


 * Illustrator:**

Centerfield By John C. Fogerty (1985)
 * Sound Tracker:**
 * Well, beat the drum and hold the phone - the sun came out today!**
 * We're born again, there's new grass on the field.**
 * A-roundin' third, and headed for home, it's a brown-eyed handsome man;**
 * Anyone can understand the way I feel.**
 * Oh, put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today;**
 * Put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today;**
 * Look at me, I can be Centerfield.**
 * Well, I spent some time in the Mudville Nine, watchin' it from the bench;**
 * You know I took some lumps when the Mighty Casey struck out.**
 * So Say Hey Willie, tell Ty Cobb and Joe DiMaggio;**
 * Don't say "it ain't so", you know the time is now.**
 * Oh, put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today;**
 * Put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today;**
 * Look at me, I can be Centerfield.**
 * Yeah! I got it, I got it!**
 * Got a beat-up glove, a homemade bat, and brand-new pair of shoes;**
 * You know I think it's time to give this game a ride.**
 * Just to hit the ball and touch 'em all - a moment in the sun;**
 * (pop) It's gone and you can tell that one goodbye!**
 * Oh, put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today;**
 * Put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today;**
 * Look at me, I can be Centerfield.**
 * Oh, put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today;**
 * Put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today;**
 * Look at me, I can be Centerfield.**
 * Yeah!**
 * I chose this song because Matt’s baseball team is going to league championship. I also chose this song because Matt and Robert have started working as a team and Coach Robeson’s cancer has gone into remission.**


 * Aaron 12/17/10**