No Talking

Explore the ways in which the silence contest has an impact on individuals in the school. How does silence impact the motivations and interests of individual students and teachers? Which characters change their beliefs or behaviors because of the contest? What lasting changes are indicated because of the contest?

Teaching Suggestion: Students may find it beneficial to analyze the question by reflecting first on the effect of the silence contest within one group at a time (e.g., students then teachers) and listing predominant characters within each group. A chapter chart (with space for each chapter) provides readers with an organized notetaking device for listing scenes and character reactions that demonstrate the contest’s impact. This prompt also offers an opportunity to review or introduce direct and indirect characterization methods and coming-of-age as a character trait for both younger and older characters.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who benefit from additional strategies for abstract analysis along with visual learners may find it helpful to use a graphic organizer such as a three-circle Venn Diagram with the headers Students, Teachers, and School. It may be beneficial for students to work in small groups to collaborate before addressing the prompt independently.