The Watson's Go to Birmingham - 1963 Chapter 2

What caused teachers to treat Kenny differently than other kids in the school?

• Kenny was behind in school and needed extra help.

• Kenny took the time to tutor his brother Byron.

• Kenny was very smart and he cared about learning.

• The teachers did not treat Kenny differently.

What effect did this special treatment have on Kenny?

• The kids in schooled looked up to him and asked him questions about the assignments.

• He received a full scholarship to school so his parents did not have to pay any money.

• Kenny felt good about himself and bragged about his high grades to his classmates.

• Other kids teased him for being so smart.

Why would Kenny's smartness make him enemies of other students?

• The students are all competing for the highest grade and they are upset that Kenny is beating them.

• The students think that they are smarter than Kenny.

• The other students feel jealous that Kenny can read better.

• The other students do not care about Kenny and ignore him.

Why did Byron show Kenny how to squint and look at people sideways, but then sometimes called him Cockeye Kenny himself?

• Byron doesn't want other people to pick on Kenny, but thinks it is ok for family to pick on family.

• Byron wants everyone at school to pick on Kenny because he thinks it is entertaining.

• Byron feels bad for Kenny because he is crosseyed.

• Byron and Kenny are both crosseyed and both get picked on.

How does Kenny feel when people call him Poindexter, egghead, or Cockeye Kenny?

• It does not bother him because he knows that words cannot change who he is.

• He feels embarrassed and like an outcast.

• It makes him feel proud to have such important nicknames.

• He loves the attention and thinks that his nicknames are funny.

Mr. Alums, the 5th grade teacher, tells the class, "I often told you that as Negroes the world is many times a hostile place for us."

Why would he say this?

• Mr. Alums knows that ALL people believe in and support equal rights.

• Mr. Alums knows that African Americans are treated poorly and his students need to be prepared for this.

• Mr. Alums knows that his students will most likely become slaves.

• Mr. Alums knows that his students will not have to worry about fighting for equality.

What does the bus driver think of the way Larry Dunn treats the new boy on the bus?

• The bus driver joins Larry in making fun of the new kid.

• The bus driver ignores the kids.

• The bus driver is angry with Larry.

• The bus driver yells at the new kid for talking in a Southern accent.

Which piece of evidence from the text shows the reader that the bus driver was angry?

• "The bus was real quiet."

• "I sat there and looked at them sideways."

• "Y'all just sit next to Poindexter."

• "He (the driver) pushed the two new kids into the same seat as me."