• Which characters in the book do you think were good? Bad? Why?
• What character traits do you have listed on your worksheet in the good guy column? The bad guy column?
• Do you think these people are realistic? Why or why not?
• Can you describe Tim Hawkins now based on the way he was as a child?

Discuss the fact that sometimes a good guy or bad guy might demonstrate the same traits. In these cases, they'll need to use more description when saying a trait is good or bad.

Word Work
Put the names of the characters in an envelope: Tim Hawkins, Johnny Bones, Tim's mother, Tim's father, Dr. Living, Black Dog, Captain Glint, Glint's men, Robert Jacks, Frank, Captain Elliot, John Gold, Ron Gunn, Gold's men, Gold's parrot.

Have students draw out names and play "Who am I?" Each student will give as many adjectives as they can that describe the character they've drawn. Other students guess the character. When one student guesses, he or she draws the next name and gives the traits.

As students play, be sure that you or a student lists the words on the board. After the game is complete, go through the list and point out those that are similar (synonyms) and those that are opposites (antonyms). Also note that the antonyms should be describing the good guys in contrast to the bad guys.

Learning through Visual Devices
Using a map from the book, explain that maps are miniature versions of a larger area. Based on the experience level of your class, you may need to take time and teach them how to read a simple map.

Once students are familiar with reading and using maps, tell them to pair off and look at their maps. Have them make a map of their classroom, focusing on scale.

Writing Link
Have students write a fictitious letter to the adult Tim Hawkins or any of the characters in the story. Prompt them to include descriptions of what they would do if they had been in the same situation. (You might ask them to include suggestions that are nonviolent and discuss why.)

Assessment

• Review students' completed comprehension worksheets in order to assess whether they understood the reading.
• Have students write sentences or paragraphs using selected words from the vocabulary list, or using word work examples from the lesson, to demonstrate their understanding of word meaning.