Megan- Graphic Organizer Chapters 5-6

Chapter 5

These incidents are important because this whole chapter is about the structure of the fire. Inside of informing the readers of the structure, Perry also tells the story of him and his brother trying to control the fire from the basement of this house. Even though Perry jokes about not needing much to become a fireman, in reality one needs a good amount of training. This training is where he learns how to control the fire.  Eventually this training leads him to working with his younger brother in a basement to trying to control a fire.

Chapter 6

These events are the loop Perry runs to stay in shape. This 3.9 mile loop has much significance to Perry. There is a story for every section of his running route. Some significant person or incident happened at these key points. For example, it could be where he fought his first fire, or where he comes across the Amish. It may not be the longest running loop, but it has the most memories.

Brayden-Summarizer 5-6

In chapter 5 he talked about the history over fire throughtout it while talking about how they fight fires.  He also intergrates the history of fire in when he is talking to the class of 5th graders.  He gave some insight to what it is like fighting firers with your younger brother.  How even though they don't hug or get emmotional after firers does not mean he is not protective of him during firefights.  He recalls and editor trying to get how they had grown closer while on the job.  He tells the editor that it has no barring on their relationship, and after fighting fires they only have time to say good bye before heading home.  Chapter 6 is about his history in New Auburn and what he remembers from being a kid and the fires he has fought there.  One story is about Herbie and Delmar, Herbie.  It sounded a like the movie Grumpy Old Men when they were both living they were friends, but also jeered each other and hated when the other called.  When Herbie passed away though Delmar admitted he missed him.  There were a lot of little anecdotes about his childhood in New Auburn.   He also went into the fires he has been called to over the last few years.



He wrote this section with a lot of different antidotes and short stories about New Auburn and the people there.  He did this with a stream of concuss style, the order of stories were arranged by where they were on the route he ran, something on the route would trigger a thought that would turn into a story.  This gives it a kind of laid back, easy going feel to it and also gives it a very natural flow to this section. 

Article Finder - Jenny Halopka Chapters 5-6

http://ezinearticles.com/?Using-Exercise-to-Relieve-Stress&id=65662

"How Running Relieves Stress"

I choose an article about how running relives stress because as a firefighter, there can probably be a lot of stress. In the book, Perry dedicates an entire chapter, entitled "Running the Loop", to his daily run. He talks about how it enables him to clear his mind and think about other things, or to focus on a specific thing and problem solve. Throughout the book he explains many situations where people die or are serverly injured. This can scar a person, espeically if they devle into it. They may think about other possible things they could have done to save the person, or if only they had gotton there five minutes sooner. I believe that running allows a person to clear thier head and get away from these problems for at least a little while. I think it can be very benifical, espeically to someone like Perry, who sees death and destruction on a daily basis.

Group Discussion Questions-Stephanie LaPointe Chapters 5 and 6

1. Q) Why do you think the author chose to talk about the scene where he, along with the other firefighters, give a presentation to the school children?

A)  In hopes that the children won't panic if they are caught in a fire. The author is hoping that by repeating a few key phrases, like stop, drop, and roll, that it will hopefully save some children if they encounter a fire. 

2. Q)  Explain the relationship the author had with his brothers.
A)  The relationship the author has with his brothers is different from most families.  The author and his brothers don't show a lot of emotion towards each other.  The bonding moments they share are few, but that doesn't diminish the love they share for each other.  The only bonding moments the author mentions is being a firefighter with his brother, and a little about childhood play.  Perry says that they don't all talk with each other, or even acknowledge that they are familiy, but it doesn't change the sacrifices he would make for his brothers. 



3. Q)  What purpose does the authors running loop serve in his story?

A)  Besides using it to get in shape, the author uses it to tell more about his town.  As he runs, he brings up memories about the people he has helped, and the fires he has put out.  He is trying to give us a better understanding about the events that occur in a small town life. 



4. Q)  Why did Michael Perry dedicate a large portion of chapter six to Herbie?

A)  Herbie played a big role in the history of the town of New Auburn.  He is a character that a lot of people can relate to.  Every small town has an elder that everybody knows and has played a role in the history of the town.  Also, the part where Perry talked about the auction Herbie had, really draws a reader into the story, especially the part about the hovercraft.  I mean, who wouldn't want to ride in a hovercraft?



Rob - Vocabulary 5 & 6

Intransigent (adj) page 69 - refusing to agree or compromise; uncompromising; inflexible

Roiling (v) page 69 - to render turbid by stirring up sediment; to move or proceed turbulently

Colonnading (could not find definition so definition of Colonnade was used) (adj) page 69 - a series of columns set at rectangular intervals and usually supporting the base of a roof

Bravado (n) page 70 - blustering swaggering conduct or the quality or state of being foolhardy

Epochs (n) page 71 - and extended period of time usually characterized by a distinctive development or by a memorable series of events

Lark (n) page 72 - a source of or quest for amusement or adventure

SCBA mask page 72 - Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, used to provide clean air in a dangerous atmosphere

Amorphous (adj) page 73 - having no definite form, shapeless

Incipient (adj) page 73 - beginning to come into being or to become apparent

Claptrap (n) page 74 - pretentious nonsense: trash

Vocab -Jenny Halopka Chapters 3-4

Pleistocene epoch (pg 39) - from two million to 11 thousand years ago; extensive glaciation of the northern hemisphere; the time of human evolution

Amorphous (pg 43) - having no definite form or distinct shape

Ubiquitous (pg 46) - The state of being everywhere at any given time

Crepitus (pg 47) - grating, crackling or popping sounds and sensations experienced under the skin and joints

Bifurcate (pg 59) - split or divide into two

Garish (pg 59) - tastelessly showy

Voraciously (pg 60) - in an eagerly manner

Maven (pg 60) - someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field

Gumption (pg 65) - common sense: sound practical judgment

Imminent (pg 66) - close in time; about to occur

Brayden-Discussion Leader 3-4



1.)Why do you think he tells the story of how New Auburn got its name?  To show how ironic the name is because in Oliver Goldsmiths poem he called it the loveliest village on the plain.  He also used it to tie the present to the past.

2.) Why does he spend two pages on nemonic devices?  To give an inside look at what EMTs really do.  Also to show how vague and basic they are which gives you a sense that the EMT course is a requirement that is suppose to really just build confidence.  What he is getting at with this is that good EMTs use nemonic devices to calm them down and stay on track while improvising and problem solving.

3.)  Why does he put the story about Tricky Jackson in there?  For a little comic relief in between the horrible accidents and the boring facts.  It show a different side of an EMTs job sometimes they have to deal with some characters while trying to save lives.  They not only have to save lives but they also have to control crowds.

4.) Why did he talk about lawn ornaments?  He does this to create some commonality between small midwestern towns.  It is spot on too,  where i grew up I'd see the little plywood packer player on a swing quite a bit.  He does it to identify with his audience as well as describe his town a little more.

Rob - Summarizer chapters 3 & 4

Chapter three is all about the town of New Auburn.  The author starts the chapter by telling the readers how New Auburn draws its name from and eighteenth-century elegiac pastorale.  He goes on to say that if you visit New Auburn the pastorale probably won't be the first thing that comes to mind.  The name originated from the Oliver Goldsmith poem "The Deserted Village", proclaiming "Sweet Auburn! loveliest village of the plain."  It is kind of humorous that after stating this quote the author writes that the name New Auburn was actually the fourth choice for the town's name.  The rest of the chapter talks about how the town was settled, and how its citizens settled on the name New Auburn.  There is also a side story about the town and the night that Tricky Jackson buried his car into the laundromat.  As has become the author's style, he drifts from one topic to the next.  From how he became an EMT, then to the lawn decorations of New Auburn, and finally as he always does, the author comes around full circle back to where he started, with the naming of the town.

Chapter four takes the reader back to the start of the author's career as an EMT and his first job at Silver Star Ambulance Service.  the author describes each crew member with detail and says, "I would trust the Silver Star crew with my life, but not my sister." Chapter four is the first chapter that doesn't seem to jump to different topics aimlessly.  all of the different topics seem to correspond to one another. The author talks about the different adventures and calls he had with each man and instead of shifting abruptly to another subject, he smoothly slides into a subsequent topic. The author shifts topics to describe the protocol for assessing a victim, and how mnemonics are used such as; ABC for Airway, Breathing, and Circulation.  And as always, the author comes back to his first topic in the last paragraph of the chapter, writing about the Silver Star crew.

The author writes these chapters with a mixture of styles.  He is very informative when talking about the town and the history of its name.  Likewise when he writes about the mnemonic phrases the author pounds you with facts again.  However, when writing about his experiences in the field the author gives you facts in the story, but you are given the chance to create your own picture of what he is going through.  Both styles are informative in their own right.  However, makes you feel like the author could be sitting right next to you at a local bar or restaurant telling you the story, and the other makes you feel like you are reading a textbook.

Population 485: November 19, 2010

As we read this book we all, for the most part, had similar responses and reactions to it. Something that surprised our whole group was how much firefighters have to do. We had all assumed that firefighters just put out fires and then, once it was out, they were done. We were very wrong. Not only do they have to fight fires, but they also have to respond to other 911 calls. They have to perform medical work on the victim, control the scene, figure out what really happened, clean equipment and leftover debris, and then attend to all the paperwork that follows such a call. All firefighters have to be very knowledgeable in many different areas and they have to know them well. Our group definitly appreciates firefighters more. We didn’t realize just how much they do for the community beyond fighting fires.

Another thing that caught our attention that we didn't realize is that this book is not focused on firefighters. Although it seems to be arranged around his experiencies as a firefighter, the main point of the book is that this takes places in a small town and it describes the different people and places that make it special to the author and the things that really matter in life. In a small town you can see past the superficial things in life and see the true meaning of life.

Michael Perry uses flashback scenes to convey his ideas to the readers. Although many writers use this technique, Perry puts a spin on it. Each chapter starts out usually with a scene from some sort of accident. Then, throughout the chapter he goes into detail of relatable things but yet don't have a strong connection and then somehow manages to twist it around by the end of the chapter to be talking about the original story from the beginning of the chapter. Our group finds this interesting cause we found that we are always wondering how he could possibly twist a topic to make it relatable and somehow he always does. We also think that, just like he makes each chapter a loop, Perry will make the entire book a loop. So, the first chapter about Jabowski's Corner, we predict, will come up at the end of the last chapter to end the book.

Perry also wrote this book with a sense to detail in mind. He provides the overview of the history of the town and an overview of the people and places, but certain topics that seem irrelevant to the reader he makes seem very important. By doing this the reader can see what means the most to Perry, hence why he spends so much time on seemingly unimportant topics. An example of this is how much he talks about the Silver Star Ambulance. To readers its just another job he has worked, but to Perry its a special time in his life that he will remember forever because of the people he grew to love. With how he writes, readers can feel this emotion coming from.  His writing is so real, that is makes the reader feel like they are a part of the scene/story.

Stephanie Graphic Organizer

  The significance of this illustration is to provide a visual example of the two main points that Michael Perry was trying to make in chapters three and four of his book, Population: 485.  In chapter three, Perry dedicates a large portion of the chapter towards explaining the history of how the town of New Auburn acquired its’ name.  The second major point Perry was trying to make was focused on a call that showed how rescue personal have to deal with chaotic scenes.  Chapter four also included some history on the town of New Auburn, this time it was about the history of the Silver Star Ambulance service.  The other main point Perry makes in this chapter is how big of a part puke plays in a rescue personals life.  These two chapters provide the reader with history of New Auburn, and problems rescue personal have to deal with on a day to day basis. 

Megan-Article Finder Chapters 3 and 4

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) have been a big part of the first four chapters, especially the fourth chapter.  The article, NH seeks more funding for weekend EMTs by Dan O’Brien, talks about a community that is in need of EMTs. Overall, this town of Weare, New Hampshire is very similar to New Auburn. The fire department in Weare is volunteer, so one out of five medical calls has to be handled by neighboring fire departments. They are in need of hired EMTs because it is not uncommon according to fire officials for, “waiting more than 30 minutes for help”(para 3). Soon surrounding towns will charge Weare “$1,000 per ambulance call unless emergency services in town are enhanced”(para 6). The article then continues on explaining what types of warrants and grants that could possibly cover this cost. As of the end of the article, all that the fire department of Weare was trying to do was get information on this topic out to the public.

To read the actual article, click here.

Megan-Vocabulary Builder Chapters 1 and 2

·         1)Word: Zaftig

Definition: full-bodied; well-proportioned.

Sentence: “Summer here comes on like a zaftig hippie chick, jazzed on chlorophyll and flinging fistfuls of butterflies to the sun” (1).

·         2)Word: Fecund

Definition: producing or capable of producing offspring, fruit, vegetation, etc., in abundance; prolific; fruitful

Sentence: “The swamps and wetlands, on the other hand, respect no such boundaries, and simply meander the lay of the land, spreading organically in fecund hundred acres stains” (1/2).

·         3)Word: Prefabs

·         Definition: something that is prefabricated, as a building or fixture

Sentence: “In the surrounding country side, farmsteads with little red barns have been pretty much kicked in the head, replaced with monster dairies, turkey sheds, and vinyl-sided prefabs” (2).

·         4)Word: Holism

Definition: the theory that whole entities, as fundamental components of reality, have an existence other than as the mere sum of their parts

5)Word: Paradigms

Definition: a display in fixed arrangement of such a set

6)Word: Trice

Definition: a very short time; an instant

Sentence: “It all began when I graduated from nursing school, and found myself frustrated by the fact that here I was, freshly armed with a bachelors degree in the caring arts, steeped in holism and paradigms and able, if need be, to catheterize you in a trice, but I knew nothing of how to extricate someone safely from a pancaked Yugo, or splint a dislocated elbow” (11).

·         7)Word: Vacuity

Definition: a time or state of dullness, lacking in mental or physical action or productivity

8)Word: Bloviating

Definition: to speak pompously

Sentence: “I imagine the board members met around town and did some dismissive bloviating, but you can here corollary expositions in the local café to this very day, when some local goes on at length and volume about the frivolous vacuity of satellite television or Indian casinos, then hurries home to watch Silk Stalkings before catching the courtesy bus to bingo night” (23).

·         9)Word: Gesticulating

Definition: to make or use gestures, esp. in an animated or excited manner with or instead of speech

Sentence: “ The driver is gesticulating and pointing back down the road” (31)

·         10)Word: Teetotal

Definition: of, relating to, or practicing abstinence from alcoholic drink

Sentence: “I’m a teetotal non-dancer, but I have come to love the nights under the Jamboree Days beer tent” (34).

All definitions found off Dictionary.com

Brayden-Graphic Organizer Ch. 1-2

Rob - Discussion Leader



1) What is the significance of the story about Stanislav Jabowski, his family, and their farm?
        I think the story of the Jabowski's was used to be descriptive to give the readers a clear idea of what the area around the "Jabowski's corner" looks like.  The background of the family is used to show what kind of families live in New Auburn.  The author describes the town as declining and that correlates with the story of Mr. Jabowski, how he was a hard-working blue collar guy who took extra work to make sure his family had what they needed, but in the end his farm ended up going belly up.  Finally, I think this section is important because I think that Stanislav is the first person that is really described in depth, so to me he is #1 of 485.

2)What is the writing style of the first two chapters like?
        To me the writing style is sporadic, almost to the point of being free writing; like the writer is just hammering out every thought that pops into his head.  The language is mostly understandable, he doesn't overpower readers with wordy sentences, however some of the vocabulary he uses is obscure.  The paragraphs seem to move in no particular order, the chapter starts with a group of people kneeling next to an injured girl, then we move to facts about the author's life, to the Jabowski's, and then comes around full circle back to the girl, Tracy.

3)The author is descriptive when describing events from the first chapter, what stories or phrases stuck out to you?
     What stuck out to me was the author's recollection of Janis Bourne coming to his classroom.  As a kid I remember whenever a kid from high school came to our grade school to talk everyone thought it was the greatest thing ever, maybe that is why he remembers it?  The thing that sticks with me from that paragraph is how vivid his memory of her is, what she is wearing, the instrument she was playing, and he even remembers the words of the song she sang.

4)The author starts chapter two with a story about one of his fire mates, why do you think he does this?
     I think it is used to first introduce us to another character as well as provide comic relief.  The section following our introduction to the Beagle is primarily focused on facts about the town's fire brigade.  So rather than jumping in and hammering the readers with facts he uses the story to grab the readers attention beforehand.

Jenny - Summarizer

1. The first two chapters of Population 485 describes the town by the use of stories. This book is about the fire department and how it reacts to emergencies in a small town. The first chapter of the book is about Jabowski's corner and some of the tragedies that have occured there. It starts off with a girl laying in the ditch struggling to live and then gives history of the corner and finishes again with the tragic outcome of the girl. The second chapter is devouted to Beagle. Beagle is a good-humored and all-around caring guy that has been on the fire department longer than anyone except the fire cheif.

Beagle with his tattoo

2. The author uses very descriptive words to make the reader picture a vivid image in thier head. The way he sets the the tone, however, is what the book is all about. He describes the town in such a way that he makes the town seem like a dumpy little town that doesnt mean anything to anyone but yet at the same time he is so proud of it. He also seems to use a lot of big words and a variety of language. I think this shows that even though he is from a small town he is still educated. He also tends to use a lot of sarcasim.

Stephanie Article Finder

Population: 485

Article Finder Paragraph

http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=1&hid=105&sid=51ccb673-ac3a-4f16-8011-671899f96cb9%40sessionmgr110&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=ulh&AN=19240885  

The article Firefighters, goes along with the main point of the first two chapters of Population: 485; the history of firefighters.  One should pay attention to this article because it provides more history of how firefighting started, and how it has evolved.  Being more knowledgeable about the history of firefighters allows one to have a better understanding of the terminology and references the author uses in his book Population: 485.  This article also shows the advances firefighters have made in the past 400 years, which allows one to see how far firefighting has come. 

Introduction

This is a blog about the book Population: 485, by Michael Perry who writes bestselling memoirs. Some of his other works include Truck: A Love Story and Pigs and Parenting. Perry also writes essays and articles that have been published in Esquire, New York Times, and numerous other papers.  The memoir Population: 485 is about Perry going back to his rural hometown of New Auburn, Wisconsin to become a volunteer firefighter and find his roots again.  It deals with everyone knowing each other and each others business, and helping each other out whenever possible. The book goes on to describe certain situations that arise in a volunteer firefighters experience and then digs deeper to explain the inter-workings of a small town.
Everyone in our group has knowledge of small town community. Stephanie grew up in a small town where everyone knew everybody. Jenny grew up sixteen miles from the nearest town, which consisted merely of a church, bar, softball diamond, and about six houses.  Rob frequently visited the local firehouse when he was a lad.  Brayden also grew up in a small town from which remembers what a lawn ornament really is, and finally, Megan’s grandparents live on a farm where the nearest town has a population of 200 people. By having us all know the feeling of a small town, we can all relate to the book. We all have a better understanding of how and why the characters live their life the way they do and we can also relate to the different situations they are thrown into.  Population 485 is interesting to us because it's a book about all our lives put together.