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.8.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

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.8.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

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.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

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.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

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.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

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.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

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.8.3

CCSS.RL.2.6

Was Jesus Colon prejudice towards the white woman?

Yes / No, EXPLAIN!

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.5.6