Suggestions for incorporating
Seeking Shelter into your program:
1. In the novel Seeking Shelter
Marcie Chisholme, the main character, travels from Toronto to Montreal. Find
ways to travel from your home to Montreal. What is the fastest mode of
transportation? Which is the least expensive? What cities or major urban
areas would you pass? Make a chart to show your findings.
2. Choose one of the characters in
the story Seeking Shelter and compare and contrast yourself to the
character. Plot your ideas on a Venn Diagram.
3. What are the themes of the
novel? How is each explored? What do you consider to be the main highlights
of the story? How does the author build anticipation? What made you sad?
What other emotions did the story evoke?
4. Collect all the ads that come to
your house or that you find in magazines and newspaper for one week. Look at
each ad and determine if the ad is effective or not. How is white space
used? How does the language of ads differ from the language of reports or
narratives? How are images and other graphics used? Design an ad or poster
to promote Seeking Shelter. What pictures or words would you use to
convince others to buy the book?
5. In the novel Seeking Shelter
Marcie joins a swim team. What teams what available in your area? Do a
search online to discover which organizations run sports teams in your area.
Pick one team or activity that you think each character from the book might
enjoy in your area. Give reasons why you chose that particular activity.
6. In the novel Seeking Shelter
the theme of homelessness is portrayed through the homeless woman, Renee.
Marcie and her friends try to help Renee by gathering food for Sun Youth, a
Montreal based group that provides assistance to the homeless. Research the
history of Sun Youth online. What organizations or systems are in place in
your area to assist the homeless or the hungry? What could you do as a group
to help such an organization?
