Touching Spirit Bear Ch. 1-6

Where is Cole being sent, and why is he being sent there?

He is being sent to a remote island because he beat up a kid and wants to avoid going to jail.

How does Cole feel about banishment as a punishment?

He thinks it's a joke

How does Cole view adults and authority? Give examples from the book.

He thinks adults are stupid and always trying to make him do things he doesn't want to do.

Garvey, the youth probation officer, introduces Cole to the concept of Circle Justice. Briefly describe what Circle Justice is.

Circle Justice is a program that promotes healing and understanding and is an alternative to jail.

Why does Garvey state "Something terrible has happened to you to make you want to kil a poor small animal." Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why or why not?

He can see that Cole is troubled. He knows what it's like to be hurt and needs to feel like he's in control.

Garvey tells Cole that "You figure if I'm scared of you, you can trust me." What does he mean by this? Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

You would not trust a person whom you are scared of - why would they trust you? Fear does not instill trust.

What are some of the advice and warnings Edwin gives Cole for surviving the island?

He says eat and you'll stay alive. Cold and damp will kill you. Cut plenty of wood and avoid the Devil's Club plant. Learn your place on the island and respect the animals.

Spirit Bear is introduced in chapter two. Describe this bear.

It's a special black bear that's pure white. It has honor, dignity, and pride.

Is there any significance in the fact that Spirit Bear is a pure white black bear?

The pure white of the spirit bear represents a clean spirit, one that has been cleansed of pain and anger.

What does Cole say he would do to Spirit Bear? What does Edwin tell him?

He says he would kill it. Edwin says that whatever you do to the animals, you do to yourself.

What does Garvey leave with Cole? What must he do with it?

At.oow. It's a blanket that is passed down through families. Cole will become its caretaker. He must take care of it and pass it along to someone he trusts.

Do you think Garvey agreed to be Cole's sponsor for the Circle because Cole genuinely had changed? Why or why not?

Garvey doesn't think Cole has changed, but he sees that Cole is hurting and scared. He wants to give him a chance to heal on the island.

What does Cole do to his shelter at the end of the chapter? Why do you think he did this?

He burns it all. He is angry and wants to show the adults that they can't imprison him on the island.

How does Garvey convince Cole to eat the groceries?

He says that Cole must be afraid of something that tastes bad. He tricks him by calling him scared.

Think back to Garvey's statement in the first chapter that "Something terrible has happened to you to make you want to kil a poor small animal." Then look at the list of the ingredients of Cole's life on pg. 31. How do these connect?

Cole is angry because of all the things that have happened to him. Being bullied by his father, ignored by his mother and he feels unloved. He is looking for control in his life. Hurting others is his way of hiding his fears. His life ingredients -all the

Describe Cole's plan to escape the island. Do you think he will be successful?

He plans to swim to the nearest land and escape his punishment.

Who is allowed to be at Cole's Circle?

Everyone and anyone is invited.

Why is it important for Peter to forgive Cole?

It's important so that Peter can move on with his life and not be angry and so that Cole can forgive himself.

Why is it important that Cole gives a threatening look to Peter at the beginning of the Circle?

He wants to intimidate Peter and keep him scared of Cole.

According to the Keeper, what is the point of the Circle, and why does regular Justice often fail?

The Circle is for people who want to heal. The feather represents respect and honesty. Justice fails because it seeks to punish, not to heal.

Do you think that everybody who is present at the Circle has a sincere reason for being there? Do you think that there are people who don't want to be there?

No. Cole and his parents and Peter and his parents don't want to be there

For the first time, Cole admits that he made a mistake. What was this mistake?

He forgot about the incoming tide when he tried to swim off the island.

Describe Cole's first encounter with what appears to be Spirit Bear.

Cole is on the beach and sees the spirit bear staring at him. It wasn't afraid of him so Cole threw a rock at it and yelled.

Review the four comments made about Cole at the Circle on pg.46. Which comments do you agree with? Which ones disagree with? Justify your answer.

Cole is dangerous.

What does Cole accuse his father of in the Circle? How does his father respond?

Cole says that his father gets drunk and beats him. Cole's father says he just gives him a smack when he deserves it and denies hurting Cole.

Why do you think Cole's mother did not tell the Circle how his father would beat up on him?

Cole's mother is embarrassed and is afraid of Cole's father.

When the keeper asks Peter what needs to be done to make things better, he responds by saying "I think someone should smash Cole's head against a sidewalk so he knows how it feels." Do you think Cole already knows how this might feel? Why or why not?

Yes. His dad beats up on him and he has no support from his family. He is used to being mistreated by people bigger than him.

When leaving the Circle, in reference to his father, Cole asks Garvey "Did you hear him lie tonight?" Garvey responds "He wasn't the only one." To whom is Garvey referring?

He thinks Cole is lying about wanting to change.

Cole reforms his plans for leaving the island. How will he try his next escape?

He will eat & stay warm, then the next day he will swim out before the tide comes in.

Garvey discusses some of the reasons that isolation works to help heal a criminal. What are these reasons?

He says you can't manipulate a storm, lie to your hunger or cheat the cold. You have to face your problems.

Outline what will happen to Cole after the banishment is over.

He will go back to the Circle and they will determine if he has changed. If not, he may go to jail.