Pelzer, D. (1995). A child called "it" . Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications
A Child Called "It" is an eye opening book about a child who is abused by his mother. No matter what he does she finds a way to torture him. Throughout this heart wrenching tales from this boy are told and most of them are horrible.Dave couldn't get any relief because both of his parents are alcoholics, although his father felt sorry for him and tried to help he wouldn't dare defy Dave's mother. All Dave wanted was someone to love him and care about him. Does it happen? Read the book and find out!
A Child Called "It" is a memoir- it is the most horrific documented cases of child abuse in California.
This book fits in the Non-Fiction genre because it is a true story of a child being abused.
Activities to use with this book:
Preliminary Discussion Before Reading the Book
Memoir:
A Child Called It is classified as a memoir. While the terms memoir and autobiography are often used interchangeably, it would probably be instructive to review with your students the subtle differences between the two genres.
The 60s
Dave Pelzer was
born December 29, 1960. This was a time when the United States was going
through some important changes. Some of these changes were not
positive. Terms that were pertinent to this period are:
A Child Called It is classified as a memoir. While the terms memoir and autobiography are often used interchangeably, it would probably be instructive to review with your students the subtle differences between the two genres.
The 60s
- Hippy
- Counterculture
- Women's Rights
- Psychoactive Drugs
Activities While Reading the Book
The
author makes a distinction between "discipline" and "punishment".
However, since the author does not address any specific misbehavior on
his part, these two terms might be confusing. Have the students write a
short informative paragraph about what they think the terms mean.
Next, to help the students get a sense of the atrocities that one human being can impose on another, instruct the students to keep a journal to monitor the mental and physical abuse inflicted by both parents for a later discussion.
On one page label it "Mother" at the top. Draw a line down the center of the page. On the left side of the page, write mental abuse and on the right side of the page write physical abuse. On a separate page label the top "Father" and repeat the process.
Record each act of abuse by the parents in the proper category.
Based on the definitions of discipline and punishment that the students wrote, have the students add a "D" or a "P" beside each incident of abuse as they record it.
http://www.brighthub.com/education/k-12/articles/119640.aspx
Next, to help the students get a sense of the atrocities that one human being can impose on another, instruct the students to keep a journal to monitor the mental and physical abuse inflicted by both parents for a later discussion.
On one page label it "Mother" at the top. Draw a line down the center of the page. On the left side of the page, write mental abuse and on the right side of the page write physical abuse. On a separate page label the top "Father" and repeat the process.
Record each act of abuse by the parents in the proper category.
Based on the definitions of discipline and punishment that the students wrote, have the students add a "D" or a "P" beside each incident of abuse as they record it.
http://www.brighthub.com/education/k-12/articles/119640.aspx
Questions to Ponder
1. Why do you think Dave's mother was so upset when he had to repeat first grade? Why did she feel Dave had shamed the family? How would you have felt if you had to repeat a grade?
2. Why do you think Dave's father acted so helpless when it came to getting food to Dave? Why do you think Dave's mother was so rigid about denying Dave food? Do you think as a parent he should have insisted? If you were Dave's Dad what would you have done?
3. In lower elementary school, Dave was liked by his classmates. In upper elementary school, his classmates began to bully and torment him. What do you think is an explanation for the change? Do you think Dave brought the change on himself?Why?
2. Why do you think Dave's father acted so helpless when it came to getting food to Dave? Why do you think Dave's mother was so rigid about denying Dave food? Do you think as a parent he should have insisted? If you were Dave's Dad what would you have done?
3. In lower elementary school, Dave was liked by his classmates. In upper elementary school, his classmates began to bully and torment him. What do you think is an explanation for the change? Do you think Dave brought the change on himself?Why?
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