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Al Capone Does My Shirts - 2  

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Murderers, Mob Bosses, and Convicts… These guys are not your average neighbors. Not unless you live on Alcatraz. It’s 1935 and twelve-year-old Moose Flanagan and his family have just moved to the infamous island that’s home to criminals like notorious escapee Roy Gardner, Machine Gun Kelly, and, of course, Al Capone. But that’s just the beginning of Moose’s troubles because on Alcatraz the kids are all cowed by the clever, danger-loving daughter of the warden, Piper Williams. Now Moose has to try to fit in at his new school, avoid getting caught up in one of Piper’s countless schemes, and keep an eye on his sister, Natalie, who’s not like other kids. All Moose wants to do is protect Natalie, live up to his parents expectations, and stay out of trouble. But on Alcatraz, trouble is never very far away.”

 

 

 

 

The story revolves around 12-year-old Matthew "Moose" Flanagan, his autistic sister Nat (Natalie), and their life on Alcatraz Island, which has become their home because of their father's job as a prison electrician and guard. The Flanagans are trying to get Nat into a special-education school known as "the Esther P. Marinoff". Along the way, Moose meets the warden's mischievous daughter, Piper, and Annie, Theresa and Jimmy. Moose has to juggle friends, school and family, all while living on "the Rock", the grimly affectionate name for Alcatraz Island. During his stay there, he and his friends have adventures and scheme to make money from the fact that they live on the infamous prison island. For example, they start a laundry service which revolves around the idea of the Alcatraz children collecting money and sending their schoolmates' clothes to be washed at "the Rock" where it is known that they would be handled by the notorious prisoners such as Al "Scarface" Capone and "Machine Gun Kelly."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://books.google.com/books?id=Joa31vAnKL0C&printsec=frontcover&dq=Al+Capone+Does+My+Shirts&source=bl&ots=HaGQUWZhsW&sig=DaS08_92AndCiv9Y4KA7OgVrxNU&hl=en&ei=oEMrTdjmN8L98Aa4_ZXHAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CDQQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false - Review

 

 

Al Capone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/bday/0117.html - Al Capone Obituary, Info

 

 

http://www.alcatrazhistory.com/ - History Channel - Al Capone & Alcatraz Island

 

http://www.alcatrazhistory.com/cap1.htm - Al Capone at Alcatraz Prison

 

 http://www.alcaponedoesmyshirts.com/QuizCapone/multi_preview2.html - Al Capone Interactive Quiz

 

http://www.hoboken.k12.nj.us/hoboken/ckillen/al_capone_does_my_shirts.htm - Movie Posters, Hoboken's Own Al Capone

 

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/miami/peopleevents/pande01.html - Al Capone - Mr. Miami Beach

 

http://www.alcatrazhistory.com/mainpg.htm - Alcatraz Prisoners

 

http://www.funtrivia.com/en/subtopics/Al-Capone-77516.html - Al Capone Trivia

 

 http://www.examiner.com/review/al-capone-does-my-shirts-autism-on-alcatraz - AL CAPONE DOES MY SHIRTS - Autism

 

 

Alcatraz

 

The Native American Ohlone tribe, believed the island had evil spirits. They banished those who broke their laws to the isle. During the 1850s, the US Army built a fort, living quarters and a lighthouse on the island. In 1859, Alcatraz became to a military prison. It also housed Confederates and Native Americans in later years. Prisoners slept on the floor. There were no latrines, no heat, and no running water. Prisoners were given water and bread. Chains with iron balls were attached to their ankles. Conditions were so poor that many called it Hellcatraz. It was the scene of murders and suicides. Alcatraz was a military prison until 1933 when it became a federal prison. It was a federal prison until 1963. Alcatraz was occupied by Native Americans from 1969 to 1971. It opened as a national park in 1973. (Jill Stefko)

http://www.alcatrazhistory.com/factsnfig.htm - Alcatraz Facts & Figures

http://jill-stefko.suite101.com/alcatraz-ghosts-haunted-history-a21802#ixzz1uNO4xBUs - Ghosts of Alcatraz

 

http://www.alcatrazhistory.com/mainpg.htm - Alcatraz History

 

http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz - Official Page

 

http://students.cup.edu/mor2399/children.htm - Children on Alcatraz

 

http://www.alcatrazhistory.com/daily.htm - Daily Activity on Alcatraz 

 

 

http://www.alcatrazhistory.com/mainpg.htm - Alcatraz Prisoners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autism

 

 

http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/brain/autism.html - What is Autism?

 

http://www.alcaponedoesmyshirts.com/autism/autism01.html - Al Capone's Gennifer Choldenko on Autism 

 

http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0213520/autismhome.htm - Autism Information

 

 

 

 

 

Literature Circle Questions

 

 

 

Use the questions and activities that follow to get more out of the experience of reading Al Capone Does My Shirts.

 

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1. How does Moose Flanagan sleep during his first night on Alcatraz Island?

 

2. After Natalie has spent just one night at the Esther P. Marinoff School, Mr. Purdy

calls the Flanagans to let them know that Natalie isn’t ready for the school. What reason

does he give for sending her back home?

 

3. Who is “105,” and why does this person cause Moose so much anxiety?

 

4. Describe Moose’s first contact with Piper Williams, the warden’s daughter. What is

Piper like, and how does Moose react to her?

 

5. What is it about Natalie’s behavior that makes it difficult for her family to live with

her?

 

6. Why do you think it is so important to Mrs. Flanagan to keep celebrating Natalie’s

tenth birthday? And how does Moose get her to change her mind about this?

 

7. Imagine that, like Moose, you had a sibling who lived with a significant disability or

condition like autism. How would your life be different? Do you think you would relate

to your sibling like Moose relates to Natalie?

 

8. Moose finds himself both attracted to Piper and very suspicious of her. If you could

give Moose some advice about how to handle Piper, what would you say? How do you

think Moose ought to respond to her?

 

9. As Moose obediently helps his sister off the boat as they head to school, he thinks to

himself, “Good Moose, obedient Moose. I always do what I’m supposed to do.” (p. 28) Is

this true?

 

10. Mrs. Flanagan tells Moose: “You’re better with Natalie than I am.” (p. 180) What

does Moose do for Natalie that their mother does not? How does Moose treat Natalie?

And how do Moose’s friends on Alcatraz play a role in helping Natalie?

 

11. From the beginning to the end of the novel, which characters seem to show signs of

changing? How do they change? Do you think these changes will last?

 

12. How did Natalie really get accepted to school? What made Mr. Purdy suddenly

decide to open another school? Did Moose’s letter to Al Capone make a difference?

Describe two or three possible scenarios to explain what may have happened.

 

13. Imagine the Flanagan family after Natalie has left to attend Mr. Purdy’s new school.

How will Moose’s life change when Natalie is away at school? Will his relationship with

his parents be different with Natalie out of the house?

 

14. Is Mrs. Flanagan a good mother to Moose? Is she a good mother to Natalie? Why

does she treat her children so differently? Is she right in being this way?

 

15. Based on the title of the book, what did you think this book would be about before

you read it? How was the story different from what you originally expected?

 

 

 

These literature circle questions are keyed to

Bloom’s Taxonomy as follows:

Knowledge: 1-3; Comprehension: 4-6; Application: 7-8; Analysis: 9-11; Synthesis: 12- 13; Evaluation 14 - 15

 

  

Activities

 

1. Research to learn more about Al Capone or another famous criminal mentioned in the

novel who spent time at Alcatraz. Draw a timeline to depict the criminal’s life, using

drawings and descriptions to show important events. (See Interactive Timelines on WIKI)

 

2. If Moose believes that Al Capone is responsible for Natalie’s admission into the

school, how would he thank him? If he wrote a letter to Capone, what would he say?

Write a thank you letter from Moose to Capone.

 

3. What is autism? Use the Internet or reference books to learn more about autism, and

create a poster to help educate your fellow classmates about this disorder. Be ready to

explain which signs of autism Natalie displays. Also, how has the treatment of autism

changed since the 1930s?

 

 

Language Arts

 

 

 Journals: How would you feel if you were in Moose’s shoes? What would you like most about living at Alcatraz? What would you like least? Why? What do you think happened after the story ended? Create the next chapter for the reader.

 

Write an ad in the paper for a job at Alcatraz. Include the description of the setting based on what you have learned from the story. Also include other jobs descriptions that you think might be necessary at Alcatraz.

 

 

Social Studies

 

 Research and report on other famous prisons.

 

 

Research the floor plan of Alcatraz and figure out why they called this place the "inescapable prison."

 

Research & report on other famous prisons.

 

 

Biography/History

 

 

Research Al Capone and other famous criminals who spent time at Alcatraz.

 

 

  

Science: Autism

 

 

Research autism. Compare current information about the condition with the information in the story and what was known in the 1930s.

 

  

Math/Business

 

 

What other businesses could they have created that could be profitable? What would they have done and how much do you predict they could have made?

 

Make a poster advertising Piper and Moose’s laundry business. Calculate their earnings, based on the price given in the story, over a week, month, and 6 months.

 

 

 Historical Fiction/Realistic Fiction

 

Determine Influence of Setting on Character:

The opening paragraph of this book is an excellent introduction to setting as a story element.

 

Similarities & Differences of Characters in Fiction/Nonfiction & People Today:

Biographical Sketches - Al Capone

 

 

 

 

Chapters 5 to 8

 

A. Vocabulary

  

Use a dictionary if you do not understand the meaning of these words.

 

ashen       opponent        mansion        ammonia      exception      heinous      stance      homesickness

 

Chapters 7 to 10

 

  Understanding the Novel

  

Answer the following sentences, referring to the novel if necessary.

 

1. How does Moose know that working on Alcatraz is hard for his father?

2. What are the rules that must be followed by the people living on Alcatraz?

3. Why does Miss Bimp think that moose might be repeating Seventh Grade?

4. Moose breaks the Warden’s fourth rule. How does he do this?

5. Moose comes to the conclusion that the new school might not be so bad after all?

Why does he think this?

6. What is Piper’s scheme to make money?

 

Thinking About the Novel.

  

There are no right or wrong answers to these questions, but you must justify your responses by giving reasons for them.

 

1. Piper behaves differently when she is with the other children from the way she

behaves when she is with her father.

Why do you think she does this?

How does this make you feel about her?

2. Mr. Flanagan told Moose that,

 

“ . . . . . Having Natalie as a sister is like playing ball when you’re a

 

hundred times better than your opponent. You always win, but it will make

 

you feel like a louse.”

 

What did he mean? Do you agree or disagree with the statement?

 

 

 

 

Grammar and Punctuation

 

Activity Card 7

 

Quotation marks are used to indicate when a character is speaking.

 

Examples: “Remember to clean up your room,” said Mrs. Flanagan.

 

“What are you doing?” asked Theresa.

 

“Stop!” yelled the guard. “Stay where you are!”

 

“I think,” whispered Piper, “we are in trouble.”

 

Notice the position of the punctuation, commas, periods, question marks and

 

exclamation marks in relation to the quotation marks.

 

Check the use of capital letters, too.

 

Rewrite the following sentences with the correct punctuation.

 

You will have to insert some capital letters when you do this.

 

1. Moose yelled I hate this place

 

2. We have to make the best of the situation replied Dad

 

3. Come here shouted Piper imperiously.

 

4. Why can’t you be more helpful asked Mom.

 

5. I want to come to whined Theresa why can’t I come

 

6. Moose said Dad quietly just do your best

 

7. Why asked Annie do we always have do what Piper wants

 

8. Can you get me one of those baseballs asked Scout

 

9. No I won’t do it yelled Theresa You can’t make me do it

 

10. If we don’t make a noise whispered moose we could get closer

 

 

 Write a conversation that might take place between two or three people. Choose a topic for them to discuss.  Make sure that you have punctuated the conversation correctly. Remember to use synonyms for    said to make your conversation more interesting.

 

 

 

 

 

Activity Card 1

 

Natalie was autistic .

 

. What is autism?

What are its symptoms? How is it treated?

 

During the time period of this book nothing was known about autism. It had not been diagnosed.

Use the research materials available to you to research this topic. Present your findings in the form of an informative article.

 

 

 

Activity Card 2

 

Alcatraz was used as a prison from 1934 to 1963, but it was built long before that.

 

Use the resources available to you to research this topic.

 

Your information should include its previous use, why it was chosen to be a high security prison, how the prison was run, people who were imprisoned there, prisoners who escaped, and any other interesting information.

 

Your information should include a map of the area.

 

 

 

 

Elements of the Novel

 

Activity 8

 

Literary Devices

 

Authors use many different literary devices to make their stories interesting and exciting.

 

Think about each of the following literary devices and consider if any of them are used in the novel.

 

List the literary device and give an example of its use in the novel.

 

Conflict - a struggle between two groups or characters

 

Foreshadowing  - events that take place are suggested before they happen.

 

Hyperbole - a description or statement that is an exaggeration

 

Suspense - writing that makes you want to know what will happen next

 

Tone - the attitude or state of the narrative voice, as shown in the writing

 

Theme - an idea or several ideas the author wants the reader to consider

 

 

Interactive Timeline 

 

 http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/timeline/ - Interactive Timeline

 

http://www.capzles.com/ - Capzles

 

Literature Circles 

 

Lit Circles – Ch. 1 – 6

 

1.  How does Moose sleep on his first night on Alcatraz Island?  Why?

2.  Why does Natalie’s behavior make it difficult to live on Alcatraz Island for her and for her family?

3.  Why does Mr. and Mrs. Flanagan make the decision to send Natalie to the Esther P. Marinoff School? What do you think of their decision – do you think you would have made the same decision?

4.  Describe Moose’s impression of Piper in detail.  What is your impression of Piper?  Use character traits to support your opinion.

5.  Why do you think Mr. and Mrs. Flanagan made the decision to move to Alcatraz Island? Do you think it was in the best interest of their family? Why or why not?

6.  Of all the prisoners on Alcatraz Island, why do you think the author chose Al Capone to use in the title?

7.  What does the phrase, “Nobody came here for singing too loud in church” mean?  (Ch. 6/P. 39)

8.  Define “conniving.”  Can you think of someone in the world today who fits this description?

 

 

Al Capone Does My Shirts - Literature Circles - SW work in groups to  discuss novel.  (Ch. 7 -11)
1. How does Moose know that working on Alcatraz is hard for his father?
2. What are the rules that must be followed by the people living on Alcatraz?
3. Why does Miss Bimp think that moose might be repeating 7th Grade?
4. Moose breaks the Warden's fourth rule. What is the rule, and how does he do it?
5. Moose comes to the conclusion that the new school might not be so bad after all.  Why does he think this?
6. What is Piper's scheme to make money?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ch. 12 - 15

 

Resource Sheet 9:

 

Point: What the writer does

The writer:

Shows this by...

Describes ...as...

Uses...to...

Compares...to/with...

Suggests that...

 

Example/Evidence from the text

For example, 'quotation'

For instance, 'quotation'

This is illustrated when...

This is highlighted when...

 

Explanation: What effect this has on you, the reader

This/which...

Creates the impression of/that...

Shows that...

Emphasises that...

makes the reader feel that...

Suggests that...

 

Example: At the beginning of Ch. 12, Moose feels quite happy. The writer shows this by describing the breakfast scene as normal, for example, 'The next morning seems just like normal, with Natalie watching the sun rise and then asking for lemon cake.' This suggests that Moose is tired of the swings in emotions that his family feels. he would just like everything to be on an 'even keel' so that he knows where he is. However, the word 'seems' suggests that he is not convinced that things are normal. To an outsider, eating lemon cake for breakfast is not normal.

 

 

 Respond  to the following questions, supporting your answers with facts from the novel.

1. Piper behaves differently when she is with the other children from the way she behaves when she is with her father.  Why do you think she does this? How does this influence your opinion about her?
Research what the role of a Warden is in the prison system.

2. Mr. Flanagan told Moose that, "...Having Natalie as a sister is like playing ball when you're a hundred times better than your opponent. You always win, but it will make you feel like a louse." Interpret this statement.  Cite reasons for agreeing or disagreeing. 

,