Flipped

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. How do people’s perspectives shape their beliefs and actions? How might biases and prejudices affect the way people view one another? Is empathy important in understanding perspectives? How might people learn to challenge their perspectives and beliefs?

Teaching Suggestion: The novel’s protagonists, Juli and Bryce, have varying perspectives on their shared encounters. The misunderstandings between the two and their families culminate in harsh judgment by the Loskis, Bryce’s family, who do not understand the hardships of Juli’s family. Consider discussing perspectives, empathy, and compassion—first with definitions or descriptions and then with general examples from local, national, or world current events.

• This article describes the importance of perspective and how to empathize with others.
• This 4-minute video explains the importance of empathy.

2. What might be some of the causes of financial hardships in families? How do financial difficulties affect individuals and families? What judgments might others pass on an individual or a family if they are unaware of their financial hardships?

Teaching Suggestion: Juli Baker’s uncle, David, has an intellectual disability caused by complications at birth. Juli’s family struggles financially to keep David in a facility for his care. This unknown fact creates tension and judgment in the novel because the Bakers’ financial hardship prevents them from caring for their yard and property. Bryce’s family passes judgment on Juli’s because they do not understand their financial situation. Consider discussing the judgments that might be passed on others due to financial hardship and how those hardships affect families.

• This article describes the effects of financial hardship on families.
• This 10-minute video explains why many Americans experience money-related stress and the health-related consequences.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the novel.

Describe a time when you felt pressure from peers or family members to behave a certain way. Where were you when you felt pressure, and what behavior did you think was expected of you? What might be some of the consequences of failing to behave how others want? Have you felt pressure to act in a way that you felt was immoral? Do you think you often give in to peer pressure, or do you resist it?

Teaching Suggestion: Bryce’s behavior in the novel is heavily influenced by his father’s perception of the world and his own misconceptions of Juli. Discussing the influence of family and peers on behavior and perspectives in general terms may be beneficial before encouraging a personal (and private) response to the prompt.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who require an additional challenge may wish to further research parental and peer impact on perspective, beliefs, and behavior, perhaps on famous or influential historical figures. Students might share findings with their class or prepare a slideshow of 3-5 figures.