Touching Spirit Bear

Reading Check and Short Answer Questions on key plot points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Part 1, Chapters 1-6

Reading Check

1. What is the name of the classmate Cole attacked?

2. Who is Cole’s youth probation officer?

3. Which tribe do Edwin and Garvey belong to?

4. How does Cole attempt to escape the island?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What is the main emotion that Cole seems to feel?

2. What does Cole do to the shelter and why?

3. What is a Healing Circle and what is its role in the novel?

Paired Resource

“Our History”

• The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska presents this brief description of the history of the two tribes and key cultural elements of each.
• Which Tlingit cultural artifacts or values are present in the story, and what might they symbolize?

“Organized Village of Kake Circle Peacemaking”

• Describes the restorative justice Healing Circle process used in the novel
• Connects to themes of Healing and Reconciliation, Both Within and Outside of Oneself and Life as a Circle
• Why did Garvey want to send Cole to the Healing Circle rather than jail? How might Circle Justice help Cole heal?