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