Number the Stars - Discussion Board

Dear Students,
 
     This page is a discussion board.  You may post your own questions and discussion topics here.  The questions and prompts have to be about Number the Stars and must remain appropriate.

Number the Stars (Chapters 13-14)

When Mrs. Johansen realizes what Annemarie found on the ground she says, "It may have all been for nothing."  What is so special about the packet?  What do you think is in it and why is it so important for Uncle Henrik to have?

Number the Stars (Chapters 11-12)

1. Do you agree or disagree with what Peter did to Rachel on pages 89 and 90?  Please explain your point of view clearly.

2.  What text to text comparison came to mind after reading chapters 11-12?

Number the Stars - The Rescuers

Click Here to visit "The Rescuers" site, including more on Duckwitz and Sugihara

After watching these videos you should have a good idea about how Number the Stars will end.  There was a very real problem with the escape method the Danes were using.  Some of the escaping Jews were caught on the boats by the Nazi soldiers.  Therefore, the people of the Danish Resistance had to develop a way to keep the Nazis from finding the refugees on the fishing boats.  What ideas do you have that would've helped the Jews escape detection on the fishing boats?

Number the Stars (Chapters 9-10)

1. Do you believe Uncle Henrik?  Do you think Annemarie was safer not knowing the truth? 

2. Do you think this general idea is true?  That children are safer not knowing the truth about the dangers that surround them?  One example would be when Mrs. Johansen didn't tell Kirsti the truth about the "fireworks" on the night of her birthday.  By misleading Kirsti to believe that the explosions from the Navy ships were actually fireworks for her birthday, Mrs. Johansen gave Kirsti the chance to fall asleep peacefully and not stress or worry about the truth of what was happening.

3. What examples from this story, or other stories/movies can you share that defend the idea that it is sometimes better for children to not know the truth of a dangerous situation.

The Oresund Bridge (Learning Extension)

Watch the video!  Interested in architecture and engineering?  Check out this megastructure that is now connecting the Danish and Swedish economies.  This incredible structure was completed in 1999 and opened to the public in 2000.

Something to think about regarding Number the Stars...

 If the bridge existed in 1943, would it have made rescuing Denmark's Jewish population any easier?  Think this through and defend your thoughts.

Number the Stars (Chapter 7)

What example of foreshadowing does the author use in chapter 7?  Describe the scene and tell us what the author is trying to tell us about the future of the story.

Number the Stars (Chapter 8)

Why is Annemarie upset about Great Aunt Birte?  Who or what do YOU think Great Aunt Birte is? 

Number the Stars (chapters 5-6)

Mr. Johansen calls Uncle Henrik in the middle of the night and asks him if the weather is good for fishing. I don't know about you, but it seems odd to call someone in the middle of the night, right after your home has been invaded by soldiers, to ask if the weather was good for fishing.  Was Mr. Johansen really wondering about the fishing conditions?  Or was there a different meaning behind his words?

Number the Stars (Chapters 5-6)

At the end of chapter 5, the author describes the Star of David being imprinted in Annemarie's palm.  What do you think the author is really telling the readers as she describes the impression of the star in Annemarie's palm?

Number the Stars (The Museum of Danish Resistance - The Ticket)

What connections can you make between this video and the story we're reading?

Number the Stars (Chapters 3-4) Kroner: Learning Extension

Mrs. Johansen gave Annemarie some Kroner to get a button from Mrs. Hirsch's Button Shop.  What is Kroner?  How does the Kroner compare to the American dollar on today's exchange?

Examine the currency of other nations around the world and tell us how they compare to our currency (American dollar)?

Chiune Sugihara

After reading Passage to Freedom and watching the video clip above, in what ways are Marcelle Solliage and Chiune Sugihara similar and different?  Use specific details from the stories to defend yourself.

Joseph 1861 - A Rumble of War

Read the following passage from the book.

The Confederate captain raised his hand and shouted, "Take her down, boys!"

Joseph swallowed hard.  He was not sure why he felt so sad.  The flag was only a piece of cloth, he tried to tell himself.  Yet it was all he could do to keep from rushing out and begging the soldiers not to destroy it.


Why do you think Joseph if feeling sad about the flag being taken down?  Is the flag just a piece of cloth?  Or is it something more?  Please explain clearly.

Joseph 1861 - A Rumble of War

On page 139, Clay told Joseph how he's been working for Dr. Mercer.  He informed Joseph that there have been a lot of fights in town, which has provided Dr. Mercer with quite a bit of work.  On one occasion, Dr. Mercer let Clay sew up a head wound.  Then Clay told Joseph that the wound occurred when two brothers were fighting each other over which side they would join - The Union or the Confederates.

Explain how the underlined phrase above might serve as a metaphor of the American Civil War.  Use evidence from the book to support your idea.