Slam!

Explore the importance of decision-making in Slam’s life and the lives of other characters in the novel. Use these questions to help in formulating a response.

• Why are small decisions important in Slam’s life?
• What small decisions guide Slam on a better path?
• What decisions may not have the desired outcome for Slam?
• Choose another character who makes poor choices and compare them with Slam. What makes them similar and different?
• Choose another character who makes better choices and compare them with Slam. What makes them similar and different?

Teaching Suggestion: Students may benefit by creating a list of characters in the novel—important and seemingly unimportant—who make up the Harlem neighborhood. Students can create a comparison using a t-chart to explore the characters that make generally good choices and bad choices. Then, ask students to analyze Slam’s decisions separately using the same method.

Differentiation Suggestion: For students who would benefit from assistance with analysis, allowing them to work in small groups using graphic organizers to complete the activity together may be helpful. Consider narrowing the topic of discussion to Slam and his perspective on his environment. Students can then create a t-chart comparing Slam’s choices and how Slam views the choices of others.