Deep Water

Julie and Shane are lost at sea for weeks, with no idea how long they might remain stranded. What role does hope play in their survival? How does hope build on Resilience and Discipline? Ponder these ideas as you prepare to discuss the topic.

• At what point in the story do Julie and Shane seem most hopeless?
• When they face hopelessness, how do they shift back to determination?
• How important is being together instead of being alone? Do Julie and Shane share similar feelings about being together?
• How does nature bring both danger and hope?
• Who is more hopeful, Julie or Shane?

Teaching Suggestion: Journaling before discussion or completing a think-pair-share could lead to more in-depth discussion. It might be beneficial to create a class definition of “hope,” then apply that definition to the characters. Pointing out subtleties where characters shift perspective would prompt more nuanced exploration of this idea. In a different approach, students might list key scenes and gauge with a rating of 1-5 the level of hope in each, comparing different reflections and reactions of the characters.

Differentiation Suggestion: For students who benefit from a more visual approach, a graphic organizer could be beneficial. For example, in a graphic organizer that uses wave imagery, higher waves might symbolize more hope.