Reading Response Blog #15

1/11/2015

We finally finished The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo. Yay! This book is filled with many opportunities for "power thinking" and deep inferences. I hope you all enjoyed our read aloud of it. I sure did!

Even though we finished the book, there is still so much to discuss.

This Week's Prompt:

Choose one of the following questions to answer. Explain your thinking and make it "deep". Use specific examples from the text to support your thinking.

1. What do you think the title "The Tiger Rising" means?

2. Why do you think Rob screams at, kicks, and punches his dad at the climax of the story?

3. Why do you think the author had the tiger die instead of letting it run free into the woods in the story? (Like seriously, I wanted the tiger to live!!!)

Then... Pose one of your own questions about the story at the end of your response for us to try and answer!

I can't wait to read your reflections on the end of the story!

86 Comments

Danny

1/12/2015 10:47:06 am

3. Why do you think the author had the tiger die instead of letting it run free into the woods in the story? (Like seriously, I wanted the tiger to live!!!)

The author chose to kill the tiger because that's the way Rob opened up his feelings (locked in his suitcase). The suitcase was a symbol of his keeping away his feelings from himself and others.
The tiger dying is like the key opening Rob's suitcase, letting all his feelings out, like a can of soda bursting out when shaken.
If the tiger was allowed to live, Rob might still have his baggage and not have been honest to his father. It made a better relationships with his father.
Also, if the father didn't shoot it, Beauchamp would have been arrested for keeping it because I don't think it was legal.

Ms. Kimball

1/12/2015 01:17:24 pm

Dear Danny,

Wow! What a deep analysis! I liked your simile relating Rob's feelings bursting out of him to soda bursting out of a shaken can. Cool! It really shows how much pressure Rob was under to keep his sadness contained.

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Talia

1/16/2015 12:27:36 am

Danny,
I agree with Ms.Kimball. That is a really cool simile.
From,
Talia

Arim link

1/14/2015 07:42:42 am

Dear Danny

I agree with you that when the tiger dying is the key to robs suitcase and that if the tiger lived Rob lost his key and never could open his suitcase ever again. And I also agree that Beauchamp would be arrested because it's not legal to keep a tiger.

From Arim

Marc

1/20/2015 06:39:43 am

Danny,
I agree! I don't think keeping a tiger in a cage is legal. But how would the police ever find the Tiger? Great job on your explanation!

Sincerely,
Marc

Julia

1/13/2015 05:36:24 am

Dear Class,

I think the author has the tiger die at the end of the story, because that is the key to Rob opening his suitcase. What I mean by this is, Rob let his emotions come out and rise through anger. He was angry that his dad shot the tiger, he was angry that his dad never mentioned anything about his mother, he was angry because his mother died. Just like when the tiger was hesitant at first of leaving the cage when he had a chance. When he finally built up enough confidence, he went for it and set himself free. Rob did the same thing. He waited free himself because he was afraid. He was afraid that his emotions would bleed through and expose him. And when the tiger died, he finally had the nerve to let it all out at once.

Sincerely,
Julia

Ms. Kimball

1/14/2015 08:59:00 am

Dear Julia,

Wow! Deep thinking! You compared the tiger waiting to escape to Rob waiting to free his emotions, as if both of them were afraid to be exposed. I agree with you that the tiger dying was a catalyst (big word) for Rob letting his own feelings rise up. The tiger's death seemed to trigger a massive emotional meltdown for Rob. Do you think anything else would have caused that for him?

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Julia

1/14/2015 09:38:03 am

Dear Ms. Kimball,

I think the only other thing that could have triggered some sort of emotion for Rob, was if his father had brought up something about his mother. It would not be the same emotion, but it might have gotten something out of him.

Julia

Ms. Kimball

1/18/2015 12:28:45 pm

Dear Julia,

Good point. Rob needed something serious to trigger such a massive emotional response.

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Amy

1/13/2015 05:56:52 am

Dear Class,

I decided to do question 1. What do you think the title "The Tiger Rising" means? I think the title means "The tiger rising" because he the tiger is robs suitcase. WOAH! So when the rob sets the tiger go. He actually is setting his suitcase go. I know this because when Rob's dad kills the tiger, Rob hits, punches, and kicks his dad because HE KILLED HIS SUITCASE. So that means that his feelings are let out so he felt like he had to kick, punch and hit his dad. Think of it as the tiger like the key to the suitcase and when the suitcase opens it can't be closed because the key is broke (the tiger dies.)

Sincerely,
Amy

Julia

1/13/2015 11:20:16 am

Dear Amy,

I hadn't thought of it that way before. I can understand where you're coming from. What do you think would happen to the story if the tiger hadn't died?

Julia

Ms. Kimball

1/14/2015 08:48:30 am

Dear Amy,

That's an interesting thought about the key to Rob's suitcase "breaking" once the tiger dies. It sounds like you think that the tiger had to die, otherwise Rob would stuff his feelings back into his suitcase and never lash out at his dad. What kinds of feelings do you think Rob had that caused him to kick and punch his dad?

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Olivia D.

1/14/2015 09:26:34 am

Dear Amy,

That some great inferring, with the tiger being robs key to the suitcase.
What do you think Rob was thinking as he kicked his dad?
I look forward to reading your next blog!

Sincerely,
Olivia D.

Amy

1/20/2015 08:00:33 am

Dear Ms.Kimball,
Yes the key had to break (the dead tiger) for rob to open up his suitcase. This also caused Rob to kick and punch his father. I think rob was just so angry it bursted out of him by saying all the words he should have said years ago. Once he did that i think his father thought that he can't live life if his kid is emotionless, that's not what any father would want.
Sincerely,
Amy

Amy

1/20/2015 04:55:16 am

Amy,
I like how you said that when Rob's father killed the tiger, he also killed Rob's suitcase. I really like how you said that. I never thought of it that way. Keep up the good work!

From, Alec

Arim link

1/14/2015 07:39:18 am

Dear class

I chose number 3: Why do you think that the author let the tiger die instead of letting him run free into the woods.

I think that happened because 1. The same thing happened to cricket, willy mays bird. And 2. There are not that many climaxes so if the tiger dies, that would be a great climax. And 3. The tiger is robs key to the suitcase. So when Rob's dad killed the tiger Robs suitcase opened and never could be closed.

From Arim.

Ms. Kimball

1/14/2015 08:50:40 am

Dear Arim,

Your three reasons why the author had the tiger die are interesting. I'm curious though, how do you think the tiger and Willie May's bird Cricket are related?

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Arim link

1/16/2015 12:43:46 am

Dear Ms. Kimball,

when Willie May let cricket go Rob got a flash back of his dad shooting a bird, and I infer that bird was cricket. Because Rob carved cricket correctly and the only time he saw a bird up close was when his dad shot a bird. So, when Rob lets the tiger go his dad shot the tiger. Thats why I think they are related.

From Arim

Ms. Kimball

1/18/2015 12:33:03 pm

Dear Arim,

I doubt Cricket and the bird Rob's dad shot are the same bird. I think the tiger and cricket are related because they are both animals that characters felt should be free. However, the sad thing is that once each animal is set free (by Rob or Willie May), it doesn't turn out like the characters hoped.

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Nathan

1/14/2015 11:09:00 am

Arim,
You said that the same thing happened to cricket.
But how do you know cricket died?

Arim link

1/16/2015 12:39:34 am

Nathan,

I don't really know that cricket died but I infer that cricket died because Rob carved cricket and he can only carve cricket if he ever saw cricket. And the only time he saw a bird up close was when his dad shot one.

Rheona

1/14/2015 08:01:23 am

Hi class,
I choose to answer question number one, "Why do you think the mane of the book is called The Tiger Rising". I think it is called tiger rising because it is about Rob's sadness rising. If it was called Rob's sadness it would make you want to read it. Also the title The Tiger Rising gives you more emotion when reading it and makes you think! (like I am now)!

From,
RHEONA

Ms. Kimball

1/14/2015 08:53:21 am

Dear Rheona,

You wrote: "Why do you think the mane of the book is called The Tiger Rising"; you mean, "name" I assume! I'm a little confused by your response...

You said, "If it was called Rob's sadness it would make you want to read it." What do you mean by that?

Also, why do you think the title The Tiger Rising "gives you more emotion and makes you think"?

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Rheona

1/20/2015 05:50:13 am

Hi Ms.Kimball,
What I meant was if the book was called Rob's Sadness Rising it would make more sense because i imagine the Tiger being a symbol of Rob's suitcase.That is why it is called The Tiger Rising in my mind.

From,
RHEONA

Olivia D.

1/14/2015 09:16:22 am

Dear class,

I chose number 3, "why do you think the author had the tiger die?"
Well, I think the tiger had to die in order for Rob to open up his suitcase. Since the tiger died all Robs feelings and emotions, since the day his mother died, just came soaring out. But if he let the tiger go then life would just return to usual. Maybe their would be a few changes but something had to really set Robs feelings go and the only thing that would do that was for the tiger to die.
That was a great book and I am really looking forward to the next read aloud.
Sincerely Olivia D.

Ms. Kimball

1/15/2015 11:26:47 pm

Dear Olivia,

I agree with you! I was so upset that the tiger died, but now I understand why. If it didn't die, then Rob would return to his usual way of life, burying his true feelings about his mother's death. Very clear explanation!

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Olivia D.

1/20/2015 11:42:24 am

Dear Ms. Kimball,

When the tiger died I to was sad but I understood later on that if he hadn't then Rob's experience wouldn't really mean much. Yeah it would be great and all but the suitcase would remain closed.

Sincerely,
Olivia D.

Amy

1/20/2015 07:55:15 am

Dear Olivia,
I agree with you, what changes do you think would've happened if the tiger didn't die? I agree with you when you said the tiger had to die for rob to open up his suitcase. Great job.
Sincerely,
Amy

Sage W.

1/20/2015 08:09:09 am

Dear Olivia,
I so agree. Do you think if the tiger lived Rob would regret letting him go because he'll never see the tiger again, and if he did what would his reaction be?

Olivia D.

1/20/2015 11:44:38 am

Dear Amy,

I think he wouldn't regret it because once he let him go he explained the feeling of amazement.

Sincerely,
Olivia D.

Nathan

1/14/2015 11:06:48 am

Dear Class,
I picked number 2.
I think Rob kicks and screams at his Dad because the main reason to let the tiger go was to let him live, TO LET HIM LIVE! I think Rob was so disappointed he put his anger on his dad. Probably because Rob's dad killed the tiger. But dude, dont throw a fit. Okay, it is a glorious, beautiful animal but, Willie May did tell him to do it! Also, Rob says something along the lines of “I don't need you, I need her!” This is Rob saying, ‘She was less violent and more nice’.
and Rob always was less comfortable around his dad, saying “Yes, sir”.
Surprisingly, when Rob got really mad, his dad realised that he needed to change because he heard the actual words from him.
Those are some reasons I think Rob started kicking and screaming at his dad.

Yours truly,
Nathan

Ms. Kimball

1/15/2015 11:29:33 pm

Dear Nathan,

Good point that Rob was uncomfortable around his dad. I was inferring that too from the constant, "Yes, sir"s Rob always said. It's like there was no relationship between Rob and his dad. Do you think Rob attacked his dad solely because his dad killed his beloved tiger?

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Nathan

1/20/2015 11:20:59 am

Dear Ms Kimball,
I think the reason why Rob kicked his Dad was both that he killed "his tiger" and that he was a tough saying theres no reason to cry.
Yours truly,
Nathan

Talia

1/14/2015 12:01:19 pm

Dear Ms.Kimball,
I will answer why Tiger Rising is called Tiger Rising. I think that the name Tiger Rising is supposed to represent whatever the thing is that is making Robs legs itchy and stuff. I think it's also supposed to represent the tiger leaving it's cage. Or maybe it's supposed to represent Robs suitcase getting so full that Rob can't do anything but just let the top or cover of the suitcase that had been so tightly closed rise up and open. The thing is, Robs Leg Thing Rising or the Tiger Leaving the Cage or Robs Suitcase Cover Rising. it just sounds wrong so the name Tiger Rising is supposed to represent all of those things.
From,
Talia

Layla

1/15/2015 09:50:44 am

Dear Talia,
I totally agree with what you said about the tiger is the representation of the cause of Rob's itchy legs! I think that is a very interesting theory.
From,
Layla

Ms. Kimball

1/15/2015 11:34:06 pm

Dear Talia,

Clever response! I like how you said of the title, "...maybe it's supposed to represent Robs suitcase getting so full that Rob can't do anything but just let the...cover of the suitcase that had been so tightly closed rise up and open." It's like Rob had no control over his suitcase opening and therefore his feelings bursting out. And yes, I agree, the title "The Tiger Rising" sounds much cooler than "Rob's Suitcase Cover Rising." I don't think those books would sell well!

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Talia

1/16/2015 12:40:42 am

Ms.Kimball,
Yeah, I don't think that the book would sell that well if it was called Rob's Suitcase Cover Rising. That also makes it so that the name might be called that because it draws the reader in. That makes it so that people might buy it when they might not have.
From,
Talia

Ms. Kimball

1/18/2015 12:34:38 pm

Dear Talia,

A good title is so important for a book (or movie, or TV show, etc.) I wonder how hard it is for authors or directors to come up with a title.

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Forrest

1/19/2015 09:34:34 am

Dear Talia,
You have lots of good reasons why the author chose that title. I like your reason about the top coming off the suitcase, and things like Robs feelings rising up has a lot to do with it. Great response.

Your classmate,

Forrest

Sage W.

1/14/2015 02:25:36 pm

Dear Class,
I choose #2. I think Rob had to kick, and punch, and scream at his dad in the end of the story because it showed that he let his suitcase open. Like seriously if he just said "Why'd you kill my tiger." it wouldn't have showed how open the suitcase was. But instead he let out his emotions and obviously he was already mad at his dad and was building up anger, because even though the tiger got killed I think Rob wouldn't have attacked his dad if he wasn't already mad. But he was mad about his mom to and how his dad wouldn't really let him show how much he missed her. And after the attack he realized that even though his dad wasn't as comforting as his mom, and as understanding, he could still open his suitcase and his dad would understand why.

Ms. Kimball

1/15/2015 11:36:56 pm

Dear Sage,

I totally agree that Rob's anger toward his dad had been building for a long time, probably since his mother died. Rob was so good at keeping that anger toward his dad and sadness toward his mom subdued. But like you said, it had to come out someday. The tiger dying was the trigger. Great response!

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Sage W.

1/20/2015 08:02:16 am

Dear Ms.Kimball,
I just wonder why rob never let out just a little of his anger.

Marc

1/14/2015 11:29:38 pm

Class,
I chose to do question number one. "Why did Rob scream and kick at his dad?" I think he actually had a reason to scream at him. In the book, he said "That was my tiger! You killed him!" So, I think that Rob felt like his dad had taken away his one great possession. I would be pretty frustrated to if someone took away my "one great possession". However, I do not think he should have punched and kicked his dad. I think that he should've stuck with shouting at him. And a famous sentance that many people say is "violence is never the answer" and that sentance is right. That's all I have this time!

From,
Marc

Ms. Kimball

1/15/2015 11:39:31 pm

Dear Marc,

That's an interesting thought that the tiger is Rob's possession. It would only be his possession, however, if it remained in the cage. Maybe that's why Rob didn't want to let the tiger go like Sistine did. Why do you think Rob's dad just stood there and took Rob's attack on him? If violence isn't the answer, why didn't Rob's dad try to stop Rob from being violent?

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Marc

1/20/2015 06:42:13 am

Ms. Kimball,
I think Robs dad knew that Rob was furious about him shooting the tiger. So, I think he knew that Rob had to let his anger out. However, I still don't think Rob should've kicked and punched his dad

Danny

1/16/2015 12:47:11 am

Dear Marc,
I agree if I lost a possesion I would be very upset

Sam

1/17/2015 08:02:15 am

Dear Marc,
I agree with you and how Rob punch and kicked his dad for a reason. It would seem pretty useless and harsh to kick and punch his dad, for no good reason. The tiger really was everything to rob, and to loose the key to his suitcase and just fully concur it is hard. What I mean by that is Rob had just done something great for the tiger, and then he lost it. Rob defiantly had that fit for a reason, do you think it was a good one?

Sincerely,
Sam

Alec

1/15/2015 12:41:31 am

Dear Class,
I chose:
2. Why do you think Rob screams at, kicks, and punches his dad at the climax of the story?

I think Rob screams, kick, and punches his dad because he wanted to show all his anger that he showed to his father. I think he wanted to show his father that he was extremely mad because Rob's dad killed the tiger. (WHY!!!!!) :'( Rob was so upset that his dad killed the tiger. Rob was like, "You killed my tiger!" He said it multiple times so i knew he was mad that the tiger was killed. Thats why Rob screams, kicks, and punches his dad.
From,
Alec

Ms. Kimball

1/15/2015 11:42:23 pm

Dear Alec,

In addition to Rob screaming that his dad killed his tiger, he also yells, "I wish it had been you that died! I hate you! You ain't the one I need. I need her!" It seems Rob is upset at more than just his tiger dying. Why do you think he screams these words to his dad?

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Alec

1/16/2015 12:43:29 am

Dear Ms. Kimball,
Because he really wants to show all his anger and expressing it by screaming things that might really hurt his dad's feelings. Thats what I think.
From Alec

Ms. Kimball

1/18/2015 12:36:15 pm

Dear Alec,

Interesting. So you think Rob wants to hurt his dad's feelings? Why does he want to do that?

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Sofia

1/16/2015 12:33:47 am

Alec,
I agree. If I had a pet, or animal that meant so much to me, I'd definitely be mad if it died before it should have, especially when someone I know killed it. Do you think there is any other reason, maybe something that happened in the past?
Sofia

Mikey

1/20/2015 06:16:00 am

Dear Alec,
I totally agree that Rob just did that because he needed to let all of his anger out. Great job!
-Mikey

Sofia

1/15/2015 07:37:17 am

Class,
I chose question three: Why'd the tiger have to die!? I think that Rob's suitcase was indeed locked, but that the tiger wasn't a key at all. I think the author tried to throw the unexpected at us and say that the tiger didn't do anything to Rob, and that it wasn't the key to the suitcase that Rob had locked. That maybe, we fool ourselves too easily into thinking something else will open up our feeling ourselves. Or maybe, since because the tiger died, and thats when Rob let out his anger on his dad and mother, Maybe the key was Inside the tiger, and the only way to get it out was to kill him.
My question is: In the beginning of the book, when Willie May said that Rob's feeling had sunk into his legs and he needed to let them "Rise on up", Did she mean it in the way that it ended up happening?
Sofia

Julia

1/15/2015 01:55:40 pm

Dear Sofia,

I never thought about it that way. You raise a really interesting point. What led you to believe this? I'm wondering the same thing as you do about Willie May talking about Robs legs. Great response!

Sincerely,
Julia

Ms. Kimball

1/15/2015 11:48:59 pm

Dear Sofia,

Maybe instead of the tiger itself being the key to Rob's suitcase, it was the death of the tiger that opened Rob's suitcase. It's amazing how human feelings hurt. I sometimes find myself being overcome with emotion at really ridiculous times, simply because I haven't cried in a while. Has that ever happen to you? In Rob's case, maybe his suitcase of suppressed feelings got so full, that stuffing one more thing in there caused it to burst open. What do you think?

Your question is a good one. Did the ending turn out that way Wille May advised? I'll let some other students try to answer!

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Sofia

1/16/2015 12:31:31 am

Ms. Kimball,
I do think it' possible that the tiger was the something that made the suitcase pop open. Sometimes, if you have blocks, (like problems) of different sizes, and you keep stacking them, they topple over. Maybe the tiger being killed was the last block that Rob placed, before his whole "Tower of emotions" Fell down.
Sofia

Ms. Kimball

1/18/2015 12:39:32 pm

Dear Sofia,

Your metaphor reminds me of that game "Jenga". I totally agree. Great thoughts! I wonder if everyone handles their emotional problems in a similar way.

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Forrest

1/15/2015 09:12:23 am

Dear Class,

3. Why do you think the Author had the tiger die instead of letting it run free in the woods?

I think the Author had the tiger die because the tiger is such a strong animal and Rob’s feelings for his mom were just as powerful. The tiger was locked up in a cage just like Rob’s feelings for his mom were all locked up. I think the killing of the tiger was the key to Rob’s suitcase because he was so attached to the tiger. When the tiger died all his feelings just came flying out. I think only something as significant as killing the tiger had to happen so Rob could have his feelings again.One question I have is why didn’t Rob’s dad’s feelings come flying out just like Rob’s?

From,

Forrest:)!

Ms. Kimball

1/15/2015 11:51:02 pm

Dear Forrest,

Great comparison between the power of the tiger and the power of Rob's feelings. It's like, both were so powerful, they couldn't be contained... but they were. That's probably why the ending was so explosive.

Great question about Rob's dad's feelings! I wonder what he was feeling this whole time. I'll let the other students try to answer it!

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Forrest

1/19/2015 09:18:55 am

Dear Ms.Kimball,
I like the word explosive to describe the ending.This was a great book. Thanks Ms.Kimball!

Your student,

Forrest

Kaela

1/16/2015 12:46:17 am

Dear Forrest
That's some deep stuff,and I agree. Rob might miss his mother the same amount as the tigers strength. In your question you asked why robs dads feelings come poring out. I think it did but in a different way. He is a big gruff guy but he told rob what rob needed to hear. And he said his wife's name just for rob so in his own way I think he was poring his feelings out. Great comments.
Sincerely Kaela

Forrest

1/19/2015 09:24:47 am

Dear Kaela,
I agree with you on how Rob's Dad's feelings come out in a different way and that he told Rob what he wanted to here. What do you think Rob's mom would say? Thanks for responding!

Your class mate,

Forrest

Sage P

1/16/2015 12:47:04 am

Dear Forrest,
I really liked your response. I liked how you showed how the tiger connected to Rob's feelings, and his suite case. I have the same question as you. Great response Forrest.
From,
Sage

Forrest

1/19/2015 09:26:34 am

Dear Sage,

Thanks for responding. I appreciate your thoughts.

Forrest

Sam

1/15/2015 09:25:16 am

Dear class,
The scene where the tiger died at end of Tiger Rising was a very emotional scene. The author had to make the tiger die for a reason, the big question is why? We were all very touched by the tiger, but we knew Rob still had to let out his feelings somehow. But how? Just when we thought everything was getting coming back together—Bang—the tiger dies and that leaves us to just ponder and want to know more. If the author didn’t have the tiger die, Rob would still have all of his feelings inside of him, without a way to release them. Also Rob and his dad wouldn’t have been able to both share their feelings and thoughts on Rob’s mom, Caroline. And last but not least, making one of the characters die that readers really care about usually reveals a lot of hidden emotions and thoughts from other less known character, such as Rob and his dad. It’s a loss that has a benefit in completing the story’s biggest questions and inferences. However, there are still many questions roaming in our heads like, what’s little Bo Shamp going to do when he figures out the tiger is missing, or is Rob going to have any other future conflicts? More and more blogs to write.

Sincerely,
Sam

Ms. Kimball

1/15/2015 11:56:48 pm

Dear Sam,

I like how you said, "...making one of the characters die that readers really care about usually reveals a lot of hidden emotions and thoughts..." That's a very good point. As terrible as death is, it can teach us so much about life's purpose and our own feelings, especially if someone we cared for dies. It seems like instead of making sense of his mother's death, Rob avoided thinking about it at all to save himself pain. However, with the tiger's death, I agree, Rob and his dad are finally forced to confront their feelings about Caroline.

Great questions at the end! I will let other students try to answer them!

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Sam

1/19/2015 09:15:05 am

Dear Ms Kimball,
The tigers death may have not been the britest part of the story, but it sure was very revealing. It revealed Robs big thoughts from the deep inside the suitcase. It also revealed what robs dad thought of the tiger. There are other ways to reveal things about shaded characters though, like any series of unexpected events. Or the end of a long campaign. No matter how you learn about a mysterious character or event theres always a big beginning.

Sincerely,
Sam

Layla

1/15/2015 09:46:02 am

Dear Ms. Kimball,
I think that the tiger had to die because he was going to attack. In Tiger Rising, Willy May says that there was no way of knowing what the tiger could do. Also, Rob's dad shot it because he didn't want anyone to get hurt by the tiger, especially Rob. That shows that Rob's dad loves and cares about Rob. That is why I think that the tiger had to die.
From,
Layla

Ms. Kimball

1/15/2015 11:59:17 pm

Dear Layla,

Interesting point. My only problem is that the author has control over the tiger --she created him! Why would she have the tiger attack? Why would she even write in the tiger in the first place?

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Layla

1/16/2015 09:49:46 am

Dear Ms. Kimball,
I think the author had the tiger die even though she had control over it, because if the tiger didn't die, Rob wouldn't have opened his suitcase at his father and they wouldn't have become closer about Rob's mom.
From,
Layla

Ms. Kimball

1/18/2015 12:42:12 pm

Dear Layla,

I agree that Rob and his dad got closer about Rob's mom at the end of the story. It's crazy how the memory of Rob's mom was what was driving them apart.

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Sage P

1/15/2015 11:06:49 am

Dear Class,

What a wonderful ending to a great story! I chose question number two for my response. The question is, why do you think Rob screams at, kicks, and punches his dad at the climax of the story? I think there are a lot of different answers for this question. I think Rob screamed, kicked, and punched his father, because he killed the tiger and the tiger just started to be a big part of Rob. When you have a big part of you, like Rob had for the tiger, you never want to let that part go. That’s how Rob how Rob felt when his dad had killed the tiger, and that’s why I think Rob screamed, kicked, and punched his dad.
From,
Sage Pollack.

Ms. Kimball

1/16/2015 12:08:55 am

Dear Sage,

I agree, Rob was definitely upset that his dad killed his tiger. It became an important part of him. What do you think the tiger meant to Rob though?

Also, like I wrote to Alec, Rob also yells at his dad, "I wish it had been you that died! I hate you! You ain't the one I need. I need her!" It seems Rob is upset at more than just his tiger dying. Why do you think he screams these words to his dad?

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Sage P

1/16/2015 12:41:43 am

Dear Ms.Kimball,
Thank you for the feedback. I think Rob said he wanted his dad to die because, Rob was caught up in the moment, the tiger just died and I think Rob was just saying that and I don't think he really meant it. I think the tiger meant so much to Rob, because it was the only thing he had left besides his dad. Rob's mom had died, and Rob was really close to his mom. I think the tiger was like a chance to have that part of Rob, that was missing when his mom died.
From,
Sage

Ms. Kimball

1/18/2015 12:44:50 pm

Dear Sage,

I totally agree with you. I didn't think Rob actually wanted his dad to die, but I do think he was so mad at his dad that he let out some very hidden emotions. He probably loved his mother more than his father because she was kinder to him. You make a good point about the tiger being a chance for Rob to fill an emptiness that he felt after his mother died. I think Sistine also fills some of that emptiness.

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Mikey

1/15/2015 11:26:37 am

Dear Ms Kimball,
I pick number 2.
I think Rob got that mad at his father because first, he shot Willie May's bird for no reason. Rob got upset about that because it was a beautiful animal and there was no reason to kill it. Also, he got that mad because his dad killed the tiger, but that time, his dad had a much better reason to shoot it. I'm still not sure if that was the right decision, though. Rob definitely had a reason to be mad, and he had to let his anger, as well as the rest of his feelings, out of his suitcase.
Sincerely,
Mikey

Julia

1/16/2015 12:45:02 am

Dear Mikey,

Are we sure that the bird the dad shot was Willie Mays bird, or just another bird? I agree with you that Rob had a right to be mad. I would be mad too. Would you? Nice response!

Sincerely,
Julia

Ms. Kimball

1/18/2015 01:38:43 am

Dear Mikey,

I don't think that the bird Rob's dad shot was Willie May's. I think when Willie May told her story about Cricket, Rob had a flashback to a time his dad shot a bird. I believe that's the connection there. Do you think Rob would have let out his feelings about his mother if his dad didn't shoot the tiger?

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Mikey

1/19/2015 11:35:20 am

Dear Ms. Kimball,
I thought that the bird Rob's Dad shot was Willie May's bird because when Rob carved the wooden bird for Willie May, she said that it looked like Cricket. If Rob's Dad didn't shoot the tiger I think he would have kept his suitcase closed. Like many other students, I feel like the tiger is the key to Rob's suitcase.
Sincerely,
Mikey

Kaela

1/16/2015 12:35:04 am

Dear ms.Kimball
I think it is called tiger rising to signalize where at the end rob was letting his feelings rise and not holding back. Also, a thing rises when it dies and so maybe that. There are many reasons because its a book and maybe it could be because for the short time the tiger was out and not dead it let robs happiness rise.

Ms. Kimball

1/18/2015 12:45:40 pm

Dear Kaela,

Can you say more about that? What do you mean?

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Kaela

1/20/2015 12:36:17 pm

Dear ms.Kimball
Well I guess the tiger was kind of like a symbol of robs feelings running arrond free then all of a sudden broken like when the tiger dies it resembles the sucase braking open. He let it all out it is just as simple as that. I hope to see you tomorrow see you.
sincerely Kaela

Yubin

1/16/2015 02:03:34 pm

Dear Ms. Kimball,

I chose to do number 1 “What do you think the title "The Tiger Rising" means” I think the title is called “The Tiger Rising” because the tiger in this story symbolizes Rob’s sad feelings. Just like the tiger was caged, Rob’s sad feelings were locked inside the suitcase of his mind. Then, Rob and Sistine decided to set the tiger free, and Rob unlocked his sad feelings to rise up.
Now, here’s my question. Rob didn’t hang out well with other kids in his school. Why do you think he and Sistine easily became friends?

Sincerely,
Yubin

Ms. Kimball

1/18/2015 12:50:26 pm

Dear Yubin,

Great job recognizing the symbolism of the story! I agree that the tiger can be thought of as a symbol for Rob's caged up sadness. I think Rob and Sistine became friends so easily for two reasons. One, because they were both outcasts at school and didn't fit in with other kids. And two, because they both had feelings they were suppressing. I think they both used the tiger as a way to forget their own feelings. What do you think? Great questions!

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Yubin

1/19/2015 11:19:45 am

Dear Ms. Kimball

I totally agree with your analysis on how Rob and Sistine became good friends. They were seemingly different, but in reality they had things that were in common.

Sincerely,
Yubin

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Student Work
for
Ms. Kimball's Grade 5 At Underwood, 2014-2015

Relive the greatness of this unforgettable group of students, my fabulous fifth grade class from Underwood Elementary School in Newton.