Inside Out And Back Again

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What is the difference between reading poetry and reading prose (stories)? What story elements might poetry portray more effectively than prose? What is lost when writing in poetry?

Teaching Suggestion: This question is designed to introduce the structure of the text and give students the freedom to share their personal opinions and experience with each type of writing. After hearing what students say, consider grouping students to create their own definition for each type of writing. Then, you may want to offer definitions (like prose and poem) to support as well as challenge students’ assumptions about genre.

• This 8-minute video discusses the differences between traditional novels and novels in verse using YA novels as models. Note: Consider stopping after 5 minutes when the speaker begins to discuss graphic novels.
• This handout from ReadWriteThink makes clear-cut distinctions between genres.

2. This story begins in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. List facts and themes that you recall from prior learning about the United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War. How was the war viewed by civilians?

Teaching Suggestion: While the Vietnam War took place from 1955 to 1975, the United States was involved only from 1969 to 1973. In that time, many Americans developed strong feelings against the conflict and the US government’s involvement. These feelings impacted both returning veterans and refugees from Vietnam. Consider focusing most of the discussion around the effects of war at home—rather than in Vietnam—as a way to ground students in the text.

• This 4-minute video and article from National Geographic provides context for the refugee experience in 1975.
• This article from the History Channel discusses the Vietnam antiwar movements in the US. (Content Warning: This article includes discussion of violence during protests.)

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

Whom do you go to when you need comfort or support? Is it a friend, family member, coach, or teacher? What about that person makes them a comforting choice? Optionally, you might answer this question: What are some common traits of people who are in a caretaking or comforting role?

Teaching Suggestion: Throughout the text, Kim Hà receives comfort and guidance from many different people, each of whom offers her something unique. To begin the discussion, consider using a poll of just the adjectives students would use to describe caretakers. Then, perhaps in small groups or as a whole class, you might have students compare and contrast different types of comfort as a way to introduce students to the theme of Family Love and Support Promoting Resilience and Growth.

Differentiation Suggestion: Consider the backgrounds of students when sharing answers to this question. Students who have mental health concerns or difficult home lives may have more trouble coming up with someone they find comforting. Consider allowing these (or any) students to pick fictional characters that they believe are comforting to use as a model. Students who would benefit from a more challenging prompt may want to analyze different types of comfort, focusing on the cause and effect of each type.