About the Book

Joel doesn't want to ride his bike with Tony to a remote state park to climb rock cliffs. He tries every trick to convince Tony that such an adventure is a bad idea. The truth is that Joel is afraid. Unable to dissuade his friend, Joel goes to his father for permission. Hoping he won't be allowed to go, he is dismayed when his father places him "on his honor" to be careful and sends the boys on their way. Joel becomes more frightened when, midway through the trip, Tony stops and suggests a different adventure--a swim in a rapidly moving river. Joel allows Tony to bully him into a swim that very quickly turns tragic when Tony disappears in the muddy waters. Remembering that he has been placed "on his honor," Joel has a difficult time confronting his parents and Tony's with the truth about the terrible event that he has witnessed. He soon learns, however, that one cannot escape truth and reality.

In the Classroom
 
Pre-Reading Activity #1

The title of this novel is extremely significant. Before reading the book, ask students the following questions:
 

1.       What do you think the title means?

2.     What does it mean when someone swears "on my honor"?

3.     Can you think of times when people might swear to do something on their honor? (i.e., taking an oath of office, making Girl Scout and Boy Scout pledges, etc.)

4.     What does the illustration on the cover of the book suggest about the content of the story? Closely examine the faces of the two boys. How are they different? How are they similar?

·        Instruct students to record their responses to these questions in their

·        reading journals. Have them refer back to their answers once they have completed the novel.

·        Ask students to write an honor code for the classroom.

Thematic Connections
Friendship -- Though Joel and Tony have been lifelong friends, there are aspects of Tony's personality that anger and frustrate Joel. Even though he disagrees with Tony, Joel usually goes along rather than cause a fuss. Ask students to consider the predicament that Joel faces at the beginning of the story when he would prefer not to go with Tony to climb rocks.

·        How could he have handled the situation differently?

·        Why is Joel not more direct?

·        Is Joel, then, responsible for Tony's death in some small way?

Friendship Activity:

Overview
It has been said that there is nothing more valuable than having a good friend. This activity will reinforce skills on making friends, being a friend, and keeping a friend. It will help students learn to resolve conflicts with friends. Students will learn what the characteristics of a friend are and why a friend is special. Students will reinforce their skills on how to make friends and acquire problems-solving techniques in dealing with differences and disagreements.

Assessments
Daily/formative Assessment
1. Students, after discussion and reading the book, will be able to list characteristics of a friend through flower project.
2. Students will research and share “Friendship Tokens” from other countries
3. Students will summarize the 3 main concepts of this lesson, making a friend, being a friend, resolving conflict with a friend, in a short story about a friend of their own.

 Friendships
 

Task: After reading On My Honor

·        Brainstorm about what a friend is, why do we need friends, what do you do with friends, etc.

·        Hand out precut pieces to make a friendship flower--the inner-circle says "A friend is" and each petal is a characteristic (adjective).

In the Computer Lab

·        Review concept of friend. Brainstorm about ways to make a friend.

·        Have students research friendship tokens from U.S. and other countries. (American friendship rings, Hawaiian Lei, Mexican Amigo Bracelet, Native American Friendship Stick) Be prepared to discuss what you’ve found.

In the Class

·        Students write their own short story about a good friend and include illustrations. Story must include how they became friends, what they like to do together, and an example of a time when they had to resolve a conflict. 

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