Novel+Study+Cowboys+Dont+Cry

**//Cowboys Don't Cry// by Marilyn Halvorson**


 * Novel Study Objectives **:
 * demonstrate your understanding of the plot
 * respond in a variety of ways, including retelling, reflecting, making connections
 * create an important word book to enhance your vocabulary
 * complete a cumulative activity which will sythesize your understanding of the novel
 * write a unit test

Ask me for an electronic copy of the novel.

**Before Reading the Novel** : respond to the following considerations in your Reading Response notebook:

1. Have you ever seen a rodeo in person or on television? If yes, what was it like? Describe what happens etc. 2. How would you describe a cowboy? What is their job, appearance,and personality? 3. What do you think the role of the rodeo clown is? 4. What do you think it means to be an alcoholic? 5. Why do you think teenagers smoke? 6. Do you agree with the statement: "Men should not cry"? Explain your response.

Bull Riding Videos:Watch the following videos and respond to the considerations that follow.

media type="youtube" key="jgVHoWAJ0Nw" height="345" width="420" [|Bull Riding Wrecks]

media type="youtube" key="fVCK6ROl1L4" height="345" width="420" [|Junior Bull Riding]

media type="youtube" key="uKxNFIubbbE" height="345" width="560" [|Football Player Tries Out Bull Riding]

1. What do you think it takes to be a bull rider? 2. What do you think about the young boy learning to ride? 3. Would you ever try bull riding if you had the opportunity?

There are a few country songs with the same title as the novel. Read the following lyrics and think about how they might be related to the novel. COWBOYS DON'T CRY

Should of seen it comin' Should of known you weren't that kind of girl Didn't like the lifestyle You didn't understand the cowboy's world Looking back I wonder When it was you finally realized No matter how you hurt me Cowboys don't cry.....

Cowboys don't cry, they move on One more rodeo and a few more broken bones Nothin's better than one good 8 second ride You pay, you win, you lose, you try... Cowoys don't cry....

For me it was a passion For you, it was a fashion show each day I was boots and saddles You were Double D and Sante Fe But you never said forever So I guess you never did tell me a lie.... MMM..........Honey that still hurts me Cowboys dont cry.....

Cowboys don't cry, they move on One more rodeo and a few more broken bones Nothing's better than one good 8 second ride You pay, you win, you lose, you try Cowboys dont cry....

Yeah Yeah Yeah....they don't cry......they move on.....

media type="youtube" key="0GFDVuo1X4s" height="345" width="420" [|Cowboys Don't Cry Song]

**The Marlboro Man**

In the novel Shane makes a reference to the Marlboro Man. When characters do this it is called an **//allusion//**.

Here is some information about the advertising campaign: [|Marlboro Man] After reading this information, consider why you think Shane chose to make this reference?

Dallas!: Here is a preview of a new show on TNT next summer. It is a revival of the old Dallas tv show. The two older men in the preview are characters from the original show.

media type="youtube" key="d220ZdzdFTQ" height="345" width="560"

**Me and Bobby McGee by Kris Kristofferson**

Busted flat in Baton Rouge, headin' for the train, Feelin' nearly faded as my jeans. Bobby thumbed a diesel down, just before it rained; Took us all the way to New Orleans. I took my harpoon out of my dirty red bandanna, And was blowing sad while Bobby sang the blues. With them windshield wipers slappin' time, And Bobby clappin' hands, We finally sang up every song that driver knew.

Freedom's just another word for nothing' left to lose: Nothin' ain't worth nothin' but it's free. Feeling good was easy, Lord, when Bobby sang the blues. Feeling good was good enough for me; Good enough for me and Bobby McGee.

From the coal mines of Kentucky to the California sun, Bobby shared the secrets of my soul. Standin' right beside me, Lord, through everything I've done, Every night she kept me from the cold. Then somewhere near Salinas, Lord, I let her slip away, Lookin' for the home I hope she'll find. And I'd trade all my tomorrows for a single yesterday, Holdin' Bobby's body next to mine.

Freedom's just another word for nothing' left to lose: Nothin' left is all she left for me. Feeling good was easy, Lord, when Bobby sang the blues. Buddy, that was good enough for me; Good enough for me and Bobby McGee.

La da da la la na na na La da da na na. La la la da, Me and Bobby McGee. La la la la la da da da La la la da da. La la la da, Me and Bobby McGee.

La la la la la na na na La la la da da. La da da da, Me and Bobby McGee. La la la la la da da da.................

To fade Janis Joplin 1970 media type="youtube" key="WXV_QjenbDw" height="315" width="420"

Pink 2003 media type="youtube" key="wwmUMvhy-lY" height="315" width="420"

Which version do you like? How might you connect the song to the novel?

Here is Kenny Rogers' most famous song:

Kenny Rogers Lucille

In a bar in Toledo across from the depot On a bar stool she took off her ring I thought I'd get closer so I walked on over I sat down and asked her name When the drinks finally hit her She said I'm no quitter but I finally quit livin on dreams I'm hungry for laughter and here ever after I'm after whatever the other life brings In the mirror I saw him and I closely watched him I thought how he looked out of place He came to the woman who sat there be-side me He had a strange look on his face The big hands were calloused he looked like a mountain For a minute I thought I was dead But he started shaking his big heart was breaking He turned to the woman and said You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille With four hungry children and a crop in the field I've had some bad times lived through some sad times But this time your hurting won't heal You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille. After he left us I ordered more whisky I thought how she'd made him look small From the lights of the bar room To a rented hotel room We walked without talking at all She was a beauty but when she came to me She must have thought I'd lost my mind I could'nt hold her 'cos the words that told her Kept coming back time after time You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille With four hungry children and a crop in the field I've had some bad times lived through some sad times But this time your hurting won't heal You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille.

media type="youtube" key="BLKDFKRTdlo" height="315" width="420"

In the novel, Shane alludes to Scott Baio. Check out the actor's website here: [|Scott Baio's Personal Website] Ladies and Gentlemen, Olivia Newton John:

Two times during the reading of the novel, you will be responsible for responding to a series of discussion questions.
 * During Reading Discussion Questions **

**Chapters 1-10** Answer 5 of the following questions 1. What did Shane’s maternal grandfather leave him and how does it affect him and his father? 2. Shane fought Bart Willard in school on his first day. Does it take more courage to fight or to walk away from a fight? Explain. 3. How do Casey and Mrs. Sutherland assist Shane with Angel? 4. Josh Morgan’s reaction to the incident with Angel hurt Shane. Why? 5. Why did Shane join the cross-country team at school? What would you have done if you were in his shoes? Explain. 6. What is symbolic about Mrs. Morgan’s horse?

Answer 5 of the following questions 1. Why was Casey so astonished that Josh Morgan was Shane’s father? 2. What did Josh buy with his prize money? Why do you suppose he did this? 3. Why did Casey give Shane the “cold shoulder’ the day after the school dance? 4. How does Josh Morgan spend time with his friends such as Jeff Burdette, Jake Cassidy and Bob Delvin? How does Shane feel about this? 5. When Shane’s father was late coming home from work, Shane headed to the Sutherland place. Describe the situation which occurred when his dad arrived and the accident which followed as a consequence of the events. 6. Why did the social worker visit Shane in the hospital?
 * Chapters 11-20 **