Hello, Universe

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Dream Analysis”

In this activity, students will analyze a dream: one included in the novel, one they write for one of the characters, or one of their own.

Dreams play important roles in the novel. Both Lola and Valencia have recurring dreams; Valencia even visits Kaori to get help with her nightmare. Analyze a dream, using visuals and written sections to determine its meaning and thematic relevance.

• Decide on a dream to analyze. This could be a dream in the novel, a dream you write that one of the characters might have, or a dream you have had in the past.
• Summarize the dream. Who was there? What happened? Where did the dream take place?
• Draft your analysis.

o What messages is the dream sending? How do you know?

o What is the mood? What objects or elements help convey this?

o How do items, people, and occurrences in the dream build the overall message or meaning?

• Choose a method to present your analysis. This could be a video, slide presentation, poster, or other medium approved by your teacher.
• Craft your analysis. As you do, include verbal and visual aspects.

Complete your dream analysis, then write a journal entry explaining how this activity connects to one of the text’s key themes: The Hero’s Journey, Cosmic Intervention, or Communication Challenges.

Teaching Suggestion: Reading all or part of the resources in the Paired Text Extension below would provide students with more scientific background for this type of analysis. Students might benefit from brainstorming in small groups. Encouraging creative writing and emphasizing the fact that there are multiple viable interpretations to dreams can lead to students’ taking positive risks with their voices. Students might be very interested in exploring one of their own dreams; if textual analysis is a major goal for the activity, perhaps they can complete a personal dream analysis in addition to one from the text. Another approach could be to ask students to make connections between dreams or explain how they utilized ideas from the novel to analyze their own dreams. Other ideas for the culmination of the activity might include presentations, group discussions, or classroom displays.

Differentiation Suggestion: For students who would benefit from additional writing practice, this activity can be modified to include an analytical essay.

Paired Text Extension

• “Dream Analysis and Interpretation” from SleepFoundation.org includes an overview of key voices in the sleep analysis world, interpretations of common dreams, and modern theories in the field of dream analysis. (Due to brief references to sex and infidelity, some sections of this article might be teacher-appropriate, not student facing.)
• “9 Common Dreams and What They Mean” from Very Well Mind offers analysis for some dream subjects.
• “Common Dream Themes and Why They Might Not Mean What You Think” from Teen Vogue explores dream meaning and offers suggestions on what to do if dreams become overwhelming.

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Consider the significance of the title Hello, Universe, the meaning of the word “Bayani,” and/or the final word of the novel in relation to Virgil’s hero journey.

• How does Virgil demonstrate heroism in the novel?
• As you craft your essay, incorporate at least 3 direct quotations to support your claim. Cite your evidence with page numbers.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain the significance of the novel’s connection between The Hero’s Journey and Cosmic Intervention.

2. Much of the novel is set in the forest, with a large portion of the story taking place within a small well.

• How does the setting of the book affect the development of one or more of the main characters? (topic sentence)
• As you write, include at least 3 direct quotations from the novel. Discuss the scene in which each quotation takes place, making sure to cite your evidence.
• In your conclusion, evaluate the author’s choice in setting. What might the setting represent symbolically?

3. Kaori often expresses her belief that coincidences do not exist; instead, she crafts the idea of Cosmic Intervention.

• How convincing is the idea of Cosmic Intervention in the novel? (topic sentence)
• As you develop your essay, include at least 3 direct quotations from the novel. Include additional details from each related scene to support your argument.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, consider what readers might learn after reading this book. What lesson is the novel conveying about Cosmic Intervention?

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by textual details, and a conclusion.

1. Consider how the different characters communicate with each other and those around them throughout the story. What challenges do Virgil, Valencia, Kaori, or Chet face when communicating with others? Are they able to overcome these challenges and make connections or grow? Why or why not? Write a 3- or 5- paragraph essay exploring how one of these characters does or does not overcome challenges in communication and whether this demonstrates their character growth. In your response, consider what message or lesson the novel is trying to convey to readers about Communication Challenges and discuss why it is important.

2. Consider the point of view of the novel. How does the author’s choice of perspective affect the story? What is the point of view? How does the point of view help the reader understand the characters? Why are the stylistic shifts between the chapters important? In a 3- or 5- paragraph essay, explain how the point of view builds and reveals the characters in the novel, then discuss how this crafts the theme of Cosmic Intervention.

Multiple Choice and Long Answer Questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, exams, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Which literary device is included in this quotation: “With the exception of Virgil, that’s how the Salinas family was—big personalities that bubbled over like pots of soup. Virgil felt like unbuttered toast standing next to them”? (Chapter 1)

A) Alliteration

B) Simile

C) Imagery

D) Onomatopoeia

2. How does Virgil feel about the nickname Turtle that most of his family uses for him?

A) Virgil loves the nickname; he sees it as a way his family demonstrates love.

B) Virgil rarely notices the nickname; his family has many nicknames for him.

C) Virgil thinks the nickname is funny; he shares it with his friends for their use.

D) Virgil resents the nickname; he wants to be viewed as his whole authentic self.

3. How is Virgil different after emerging from the well and forest?

A) Virgil is more confident and begins to speak up for himself.

B) Virgil is shaken to the point he cannot talk to anyone anymore.

C) Virgil is inspired to write again after his experience.

D) Virgil is thankful for music and enjoys singing now.

4. Which of the following best describes Lola?

A) Wary, busy, and distant

B) Judgmental, unkind, and driven

C) Distracted, funny, and logical

D) Wise, perceptive, and kind

5. How is Kaori different from her family?

A) Kaori believes in past lives and psychic abilities, but her family focuses on the present.

B) Kaori works diligently on her school work, but her family mostly relaxes and jokes.

C) Kaori does not see the value in being on time, but her family values timeliness.

D) Kaori prefers to be alone when given the option, but her family is extremely social.

6. Which of the following is the strongest example of Cosmic Intervention in the novel?

A) Chet finding the snake in the forest near the well

B) Valencia meeting Kaori after seeing her card in the grocery store

C) Kaori and Gen learning to jump rope together after school

D) Virgil’s family becoming interested in sports after Virgil is trapped in the well

7. What best describes the role of dreams in the novel?

A) Dreams lead to large disagreements and separation.

B) Dreams cause Virgil to become trapped in the well.

C) Dreams bring great joy to Valencia and Lola, who become friends.

D) Dreams bring people together and offer warnings.

8. In which of the following ways are Valencia and Virgil similar?

A) They both write journals about The Hero’s Journey and enter writing competitions.

B) They both dislike Lola’s ability to see truth and head into the forest to avoid scrutiny.

C) They both experience Communication Challenges and work to have their voices heard.

D) They both distrust Kaori but finally ask her for help after their own families refuse.

9. How are Kaori and Valencia alike?

A) They both find peace in jumping rope and reading poetry.

B) They both exhibit talents for reading signs and finding meaning.

C) They both are fascinated by nature, especially animals.

D) They both enjoy shopping and have a younger sister in pre-school.

10. What clues lead to Valencia finding Virgil?

A) The jump rope causes her to visit the library, where she finds a picture of a well.

B) Gen asks her about her hearing aids, and she remembers dropping one by the well.

C) Lola’s text makes her think of the people in the forest, the open well, and the stones.

D) Her dream shifts during a nap, and she wakes up with an image of the tree in the forest.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating textual details to support your response.

1. What leads Kaori to worry about Virgil?

2. How does Valencia learn who Virgil is?

3. How do Virgil’s interactions with Valencia shift throughout the novel?