“I Owe You One” Response Questions

Please write a paragraph (6-8 sentences) for each question in your journal:

Ch 1:  Why is it surprising that Mrs Minton saved Wes? Has anything surprising ever happened to you, from another person?  Explain your thinking.

Ch 2: Zach and Wes made a poor choice biking into The Delanys’ field and got Domino, the horse stuck in the mud.  Have you ever made a poor choice and did you experience a consequence?

Ch 3: Wes’ mom has a “spidey sense” when something bad happens.  Does your mom, dad or you have a spidey sense?  Explain your connection.

Ch 4: Why does Wes have to pay a life debt to Mrs. Minton?  Do you think Wes owes Mrs. Minton anything for saving his life? Explain why you agree or disagree.

Ch 5: Daryl unearthed an arrowhead and said it was a good omen for Mr. Elliot, and it seemed to bring Mr Elliot some luck.  Do you have something that you keep as a good omen?  Do you bring it to competitions or when you travel? Tell me about your omen, or why you don’t believe in them.

Ch 6: Why is fixing the TV tower a good payment for Wes’ life-debt to Mrs. Minton?

Ch 7: “A man always tells it as it is”, why does this expression apply to Wes in this chapter?  Is it important to always tell people the real truth, rather than the “fluffed” up version of the truth. Tell me why you agree or disagree.

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Ch 8: Wes came up with his solution to find snow in summer using his problem solving strategies and thinking out-of-the-box.  Have you ever had to think out-of-the-box?  Explain your connection and why Wes was able to solve his problem so easily,

Ch 9: The coach says that even if a team is the strongest, fastest and most talented if they don’t believe they can win, then they won’t.  Explain this idea and why you agree or disagree.

Ch 10: “A man always respects his elders.”  What does this expression mean to you?  Is it still true today? Do you agree that we need to respect our grandparents and older adults in our community? Why or why not?

Ch 11: “Easy as falling off a log” is a metaphor for doing something easily.  Do you have any sayings that mean the same thing? Where or who did you learn it from? 

Ch 12:  With Daryl’s help, Mr Elliot’s foundation was taken down quickly.  Despite all the bad destruction, when Daryl’s energy was used positively he was able to solve a big problem.  Is Daryl a bad person? Why or why not, explain your thinking.

Ch 13: “ A man sees things through.” This expression relates to Wes’ dad finishing a job from the beginning, middle and through to the end.  Do you agree with Wes’ dad?  Is it important to you to finish something and follow-through to the very end?  I know sometimes it is easier to give up.  Explain your thinking.

Ch 14: “People are more important than things.” Do you agree with this idea? Why or why not. Explain your thinking.

Ch 15: Explain the expression: “ A man isn’t afraid to ask for help, Wes.”  Are you afraid to ask for help?  Tell me why or why not.

Ch 16: Explain what “a man trusts his gut, Wes” means in this chapter.  Have you ever “trusted your gut” on something and were correct?

Ch 17: The expression “Face the music”  refers to the struggle to get the TV transmitter to work and... it isn’t working.  Tell me what you think this expression means and a time when you had to “face the music”?

Ch 18:  When Mrs Minton said to Wes “Your father would be so proud of you”, he started to cry.  Why did he cry? Describe three emotions that he felt at that moment and explain why.