Patina

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.

“Power of the Baton”

In this activity, students will use symbolism and details to design a relay baton.

The track baton features prominently in various scenes. Using specific details, plot points, and character traits from the novel, design a baton for Patty’s track team. Incorporate symbolism in your design.

• Re-read and reflect on key scenes involving the relay baton. Record the details that stand out to you in your notes or a reading journal.
• Sketch or free write ideas for your design.
• Decide on the form your baton will take: an image on a poster, a video, or a 3D construction.
• Design and construct your baton project, including symbolic representations for the details, plot points, and character traits you noted.
• Write an explanation of one or more parts of your design, what the parts represent, and the evidence from the novel you used for your ideas.

Participate in our class gallery walk, sharing your project and learning from your peers.

Discuss the theme of Passing the Baton: The Importance of Depending on Others. How do peers’ designs and included symbols represent this theme?

Teaching Suggestion: The activity offers a framework for students to analyze the theme of Passing the Baton: The Importance of Depending on Others while providing an outlet for their creativity and voice. Students might take notes throughout the novel in preparation for this activity. It could be helpful to revisit the relay video from the Reading Context section or to view examples of actual running batons. Reviewing the definition and examples of symbolism could help students more fully access this high-level concept. In addition, students could brainstorm the ways in which key details are symbolic in small groups as they prepare their ideas.

• Students might incorporate research from a source such as “Relay Race” from Britannica or this article from World Athletics.

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. Patty’s participation in her relay event features in multiple scenes.

• What idea or message does the relay baton symbolize? (topic sentence)
• Explain at least 3 situations in the novel in which the baton is featured. Analyze and discuss the deeper meaning of the baton in each scene and explain how this deeper meaning contributes to the baton’s overall symbolism.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, summarize how the idea or message symbolized by the baton changes Patty by the end of the story.

2. The novel ends without resolution.

• What is the effect of ending this novel with a cliffhanger? (topic sentence)
• In what ways does a cliffhanger ending suit this novel? Explain your points of analysis with text details and connect your points to your topic sentence.
• In your conclusion, praise or criticize the ending of the novel; include a brief rationale.

Full Essay Assignments

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

1. Consider the role of running in the novel. How does running impact Patty literally and symbolically? Why does she join the track team? How do practices and races affect her? What lessons does she learn through running? Write a 3- or 5-paragraph essay analyzing the significance of running in Patty’s life. Connect your analysis to the theme of Passing the Baton: The Importance of Depending on Others.

2. Patty’s world experiences different shifts. What part of her life changes the most for her over the course of the novel and how does this shift affect her? How is Patty herself changed by the end of the novel? Write a 3- or 5-paragraph essay analyzing the largest change for Patty and its resulting effect. Connect your analysis to one of the themes.

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

Multiple Choice

1. What does Patty’s to-do list symbolize?

A) Patty being short-sighted

B) Patty focusing on college and a career

C) Patty needing constant reminders

D) Patty taking on too much responsibility

2. How is the relay baton symbolic?

A) It signifies reliance on others and working together.

B) It represents always winning at all costs.

C) It conveys a message of hope and perseverance.

D) It suggests violence after an incident at the park.

3. What is an effect of Momly and Maddy’s accident?

A) Maddy moving schools

B) Ma moving into the home

C) Patty becoming overwhelmed

D) Uncle Tony becoming a doctor

4. Which of the following phrases best describes Patty’s relationship with her teammates?

A) Increasingly angry and judgmental

B) Increasingly distant and quiet

C) Increasingly funny and joke-filled

D) Increasingly close and supportive

5. What plot event most clearly develops the theme of Passing the Baton: The Importance of Depending on Others?

A) Maddy turning to Becca for help with school

B) Patty asking Ma how to cook turkey wings

C) Uncle Tony helping Momly in the hospital

D) Coach Whit visiting Ma during dialysis

6. What ideas do the red beads symbolize?

A) Care and nurturing

B) Anger and judgment

C) Learning and school

D) Travel and movement

7. What connection does Patty realize she and Momly share?

A) A love for running track and the long jump

B) Connections to animals, especially dogs

C) Stepping into too much responsibility at a young age

D) The same grade point average in middle school

8. How does Patty shift her perceptions of her classmates?

A) Patty starts to believe they cannot be trusted despite her hopes.

B) Patty realizes they are not all rich and could want to include her.

C) Patty finally sees the reasons behind their anger at school.

D) Patty grasps the truth that they hope to beat her in the track meet.

9. What connections does Patty make between herself and Frida Kahlo?

A) Age and family

B) Struggles and sports

C) Painting and grades

D) Travel and language

10. Which statement best describes what the track meet in the final chapter reveals?

A) Patty has a strong support system.

B) Momly and Uncle Tony are distant.

C) The track team needs more practice.

D) Sunny wants to go to the Olympics.

Long Answer

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

1. How does track connect to Patty’s parents? How does track connect with others in her life?

2. How does Patty build connections to her teammates?

3. How does Patty feel about being the anchor of the relay?