Sometimes a Dream Needs a Push: Get Ready

Getting Ready to Read....​
Sometimes a Dream Needs a Push
Short Story by Walter Dean Myers

By Mrs. Breternitz

Open Ended

Parental Presence

Has a parent/guardian/caregiver taken part in an event at your school?

If YES, describe the following: the event you remember best, any comments your parent or caretaker made about the event, and/or any feelings your parent's presence stirred in you.

If NO, describe the following: why do you think they haven't taken part in an event at your school, what event do you wish they would attend, and/or how do you feel that they haven't been present.

What is this short story about?

Chris, the son of a former professional basketball player, is involved in a car crash and loses the use of his legs. Chris's father has grown distant from him. When an elder at the family's church invites Chris to join the church's new wheelchair basketball team, Chris' father displays little interest. However, when Chris's father does start coming to basketball practice, he lends his expertise to the boys' team. By the end, Chris has rediscovered his bond with his father.

Poll

After reading the synopsis of Sometimes a Dream Needs a Push, does this short story sound like a story you will enjoy reading?

• YES

• NO

Labeling

Let's Talk Basketball

Use this diagram of a basketball court to show that you know some of the basics of the game. Label the diagram with each term.

Drag labels to their correct position on the image

Baseline (Also Called the Endline)

Mid-Court Line

Sidelines

Three-Point Line

Free-Through Line

Open Ended

Paralympic Games

Think about the Paralympic games or other special events for athletes with disabilities. What qualities do these athletes display? Jot down your thoughts.

Genre of Sometimes a Dream Needs a Push: Realistic Fiction

Watch the video on the next slide to learn about the genre.

Poll

Do you like reading realistic fiction?

• Yes

• No

Match

Expand Your Vocabulary

Match the term to the definition. These were will be in the short story: Sometimes a Dream Needs a Push.

• concession

• collision

• turnover

• congestion

• fundamental

stand where food and drinks are sold

when two things crash into each other

a loss of possession of the ball

overcrowding

basic but essential part of a system

• stand where food and drinks are sold

• when two things crash into each other

• a loss of possession of the ball

• overcrowding

• basic but essential part of a system

​You are now ready to read....

Tomorrow we will read together as a class, Sometimes a Dream Needs a Push.