The Split Cherry Tree

 Part 1 and Part 2

1. Why does Dave say he'd rather be whipped than stay late at school?

2. Why did Pa decide to send Dave to high school?

3. Why is Pa insulted by Dave's punishment? What are his plans for the morning?  What do you think he'll do?

4. What is Dave afraid will happen the next day?

5. Why does Dave decide not to run away?

6. Why doesn't Dave's Ma want Luster to go down to school in the morning?

Part 3

1. Explain the following quotation.  Dave: "I knew that Pa wouldn't feel at home in the high school.

2.  Why does Dave feel hopeful as he walks into the schoolhouse?

3. Why does Professor Herbert tell Dave to close the door?

4. What does Professor Herbert call Dave's Father? What does this tell us about Professor Herbert?

5. How does Pa's attitude to Professor Herbert change?

6. a. Why does Professor Herbert invite Pa to spend the day at school?

b. Why does Pa agree?

Part 4

1. Why do the other students feel sorry for Dave?

2. Why isn't Dave ashamed of Pa?

3. Explain Pa's reaction when he looks through the microscope?

4. Why does Professor Herbert want to dissect the black snake? Why doesn't Pa want him to do it?

5. How and why does the students' attitude toward Pa change?

6. Pa describes himself as a dead leaf. What does he mean?

7. Pa says of Professor Herbert "He likes me. I like 'im" Why do you think the two men like each other?

9. a. How is Luster's way of speaking different from that of Professor Herbert?

b. Luster uses many proverbs and sayings. Why do you think he uses these expressions so often?

10. a. Besides their speech, name two other areas in which Professor Herbert and Luster are very different?

b. Despite their differences, what do they have in common?

11. What thinking skill or skills helped you answer questions nine and ten. Explain!

12. a. What does Luster learn from his day at school?

b. How does this affect his decision about the future of Dave's education?

Higher Order Thinking Skills - HOTS

Choose at least one of the following HOTS and explain where you can apply them to the story

Cause and Effect

Compare and Contrast

Problem Solving