Review: Little Things Are Big

In Little Things are Big, what is the problem the white woman faces?

• She has too many kids.

• She has too many things to take care of at once.

• She had all of her belongings stolen.

• Her husband is not there to help.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

What does Colon ultimately do about the white lady in the subway?

• Colon freezes and cannot physically help the woman.

• Colon decides to help her because she has too much to carry and he feels terrible for her.

• Colon walks past her. He isn't sure about how she will react since he's a black Puerto Rican

• Colon tries to help her but becomes insecure and leaves.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

How does the rising action contribute to the ending of the story.

• Because Colon overthinks helping the white lady, he ends up helping her even though there's a possibility she might react in a negative manner.

• Because Colon overthinks helping the white lady, he ends up ignoring her even though he really wants to help.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

How does the narrator feel about his decision at the end of "Little Things are Big"?

• He feels proud to be Puerto Rican, which is what helped him make his decision.

• He feels shame for not helping the woman, and is determined to act differently in the future.

• He feels angry because she was afraid of him and refused his help.

• He feels relieved that he's never going to have to make that kind of decision again.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

What is the main conflict that Jesus Colon, a black Puerto Rican, faces when he sees a white woman in need of help?

• He wants to help the white woman, but a white man helps her first.

• He wants to help the white woman, but he is afraid she will react negatively because he is a black man.

• He does not want to help the white woman, but he feels guilty about ignoring her.

• He does not want to help the white woman, but is afraid others in the train will think he doesn't care.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

What is the meaning of the word prejudiced

• When person sees what members of a group are like before forming opinions about them

• When a person has negative views of certain group members without even knowing them.

• When a person is unfamiliar with any members of the group.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

What is the meaning of insensitive in the following quotation from

“Little Things Are Big”?

I passed on by her as if I saw nothing. As if I was insensitive to her need. Like a rude animal walking on two legs, I just moved on, half running by the long subway platform, leaving the children and the valise and her with the baby on her arm.

• Too busy to help

• Too angry to help

• Not caring about her need

• Not sure of how to respond

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

Part A. With which statement would the author of Little Things Are Big most likely agree with

• Do the right thing, even if the situation is uncomfortable

• In your time of trouble. accept help from anyone who offers

• Help children in need whenever and wherever you can

• Never make an important decision in a rush.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Part B. Which of these sentences from "Little Things Are Big" best supports the answer to Part A.

• But here is a promise that I make to myself here and now: if I am ever faced with an occasion like that again, I am going to offer my help regardless of how the offer is going to be received.

• If you were not that prejudiced, I failed you, lady, I failed you, children.

• This is what racism and prejudice and chauvinism and official artificial divisions can do to people and to a nation!

• What would be the first reaction of this white American woman, perhaps coming from a small town with a valise, two children, and a baby on her right arm? Would she say: Yes, of course, you may help me.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Was Jesus Colon prejudice towards the white woman?

Yes / No, EXPLAIN!

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6