Writer
#TeacherGuide for The Caretaker of Tree Palace For Discussion Why does Catherine think the scraggly woods are a “palace”? What losses does Doodles face in the book? How does he cope with them? Which character in this book is most like you? Why? Re-read the scenes of Doodles at school. Have you ever had fears... Continue Reading →
#TeacherGuide for The Caretaker of Tree Palace For Discussion Why do you think this chapter is titled “sunward”? How has life changed for Jon in the past year? What lessons has he learned? How has life changed for Curtis in the past year? What lessons has he learned? Activities Make a list of major events... Continue Reading →
#TeacherGuide for The Caretaker of Tree Palace For Discussion Why do you think this chapter is titled “light follows dark”? In this chapter, Doodles begins to think of himself as Jon. What does this mean? What concerns does Doodles’ father have throughout the book? Jon says: “This paper used to be trees. But now it... Continue Reading →
#TeacherGuide for The Caretaker of Tree Palace For Discussion Why do you think this chapter is titled “root”? How does caring for the dove help Doodles’ own wounds heal? What’s the moral of the story of Eagle? How can you apply it to your own life? Activities Memorize Old Crow’s story of the Eagle and... Continue Reading →
#TeacherGuide for The Caretaker of Tree Palace For Discussion Why do you think this chapter is titled “tree rings”? Why did Doodles persist in saving the bird in the severe storm? What qualities did Doodles show in this chapter? Activities Make a storyboard for the thoughts flashing through Doodles’ mind when he sees the bird.... Continue Reading →
#TeacherGuide for The Caretaker of Tree Palace For Discussion Why do you think this chapter is titled “lightning, thunder”? What fears do the mourning doves have as the storm begins? Why did Doodles go to Tree Palace during the storm? What would you have done in his situation? Why do you think he stayed in... Continue Reading →
#TeacherGuide for The Caretaker of Tree Palace For Discussion Why do you think this chapter is titled “rain”? How did Doodles react to what was happening around him? Why? How did Gentle react to what was happening around her? Why? Why do you think this chapter titled “rain”? Rain purifies. How can the difficulties in... Continue Reading →
#TeacherGuide for The Caretaker of Tree Palace For Discussion Why do you think this chapter is titled “dark follows light”? How do the other students perceive Doodles? How does Doodles perceive the other students? Who is correct in their perceptions? Explain. How would you describe the secretary’s perception of Curtis? How did your perception of... Continue Reading →
#TeacherGuide for The Caretaker of Tree Palace For Discussion Why do you think this chapter is titled “the unseen”? What strange events happen in the dream? What do you think those odd happenings represent? Activities Write about a dream you’ve had that made you reflect on your life. How did it affect you? Create a... Continue Reading →
#TeacherGuide for The Caretaker of Tree Palace For Discussion Why do you think this chapter is titled “air”? What’s the mood of the scene with Doodles and his grandmother? Describe what you think the relationship between Doodles’ mother and grandmother was like? Use details from the story to support your opinion. Why did she think... Continue Reading →
#TeacherGuide for The Caretaker of Tree Palace For Discussion Why do you think this chapter is titled “whisperings”? What qualities describe Doodles’ grandmother? Do you think they should cut down the trees? Why or why not? What causes Doodles to smile again? How does Gentle respond to BlueJay? Do you think it was wise of... Continue Reading →
#TeacherGuide for The Caretaker of Tree Palace For Discussion Why do you think this chapter is titled “soil”? What fears did Doodles have at his new school? Have you experienced similar feelings? Explain. How did he feel about people looking at his drawings? Why? Why did the birds grow to trust Boy after what they’d... Continue Reading →
#TeacherGuide for The Caretaker of Tree Palace For Discussion Why do you think this chapter is titled “seeds”? Describe the relationship between Doodles and his grandmother. Back up what you think with examples from the story. Why does Doodles hide from his grandmother when he first arrives? Why does he go out to the woods... Continue Reading →
#TeacherGuide for The Caretaker of Tree Palace For Discussion Why do you think this chapter is titled “fallen”? What qualities describe Doodles’ mother, Catherine? How is Doodles like his mother? How is he like his father? Compare and contrast the way birds are represented in “The Boy” and “The Birds” sections of this chapter. Describe... Continue Reading →
Dear Mother Earth, I wrote this little book for you. It’s about our Life together. Your loving daughter, Dawn Dear Educator, Having taught in public middle schools for a decade, I have great appreciation for the work you do. This collection of questions for discussion and activities for my novel, The Caretaker of Tree Palace,... Continue Reading →
After a life among pines, they laid you to rest on the back end of the cemetery in Waverly, Texas. Virginia-born, the Civil War wrested you from your Woodvale home, south of Richmond. You brought your journals with you and your longing to acquire knowledge. Through your journals, I know you. I've studied your what... Continue Reading →
There’s a game I used to play when I was a kid. There’s not a name for this game, and I probably never told anyone I did it. If I did tell someone, they’d just think it was strange or they wouldn’t understand what I meant. But I played the game a lot. Every morning... Continue Reading →
I listened to the Guardian's live YouTube coverage of the impeachment hearings today. This was the shot the camera was at the recess. It's an image to ponder. I'm #thankful for those who have the courage to speak up and was moved by Lt. Col. Vindman's opening statement.
