Jim goes off to college leaving Sonny alone, but with access to the Buick. He's their dad's favorite. What two things does Jake Mosby say every woman wants? To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. October Sky Movie Guide + Activities - Answer Keys Included. They wanted to see Sputnik. Why do you think he does so? This willingness to fight an unwinnable battle for his older son shows the gap between Sonny and his father even more clearly. AboutPressCopyrightContact. He disband because a boy named Tony fell out of a tree and broke his arm. It was her encouragement that brought these boys into manhood as believers in knowledge and hard-work. Josh Cassada, who launched to the ISS back in October, shared a stunning photo of the Northern Lights on Twitter. After teaching for only a few years with Hodgkin's disease, Miss Riley passed away. what do the boys realize is the major problem?, Auk XII: 760 feet. Everyone in the town has their lights on and his mother only tells him that no matter what happens, he cannot go to the mine that night. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'brighthubeducation_com-leader-4','ezslot_12',143,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-brighthubeducation_com-leader-4-0');Beginning with the radio broadcast telling the American people of the launch of Sputnik, this chapter tells of life in the town of Coalwood in the few days after Sputnik. As they do, Sonnys wrist is cut on one of the sharp pieces of metal and they are forced to carry him miles back to town where he collapses as the doctor is stitching him. . What do you think this symbolizes? Sonny's dad is disapproving and his mon tries to get him out of trouble. Who agrees to help Sonny with the welding on the rockets? But the class has only six spots, raised from five so that all the boys in the club can take it. He ran off to meet him in another section but he wasn't there. She has been attempting to get them to go to the science fair throughout the story. But in that short time she reached far enough to inspire some of America's best scientists, including Homer Hickam and the Rocket Boys - whom the touching film 'October Sky' was based on. How Marvel went big with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. He appears at first to be a bad influence. He feels more confident having someone friendly by his side. October Sky soundtrack from 1999, composed by Various Artists, Mark Isham. What inspires Sonny to build a rocket? Homer thinks Sonny should stay in Coalwood. 5 chapters | Returning to school after having been in the newspaper, the Rocket Boys discover that they are treated a bit differently. They're all down and out because they got suspended from football for the year and can't play. This strikes him hard because he really does like her, but it also makes a lot of sense since she has shown signs. After Sonny watches the successful ABMA rocket launch on TV. How does Sonny compare his life in Coalwood with the capabilities of Jake's telescope? The drawer of ever pleasing his dad is closed, but something that Homer said about Mr. Bykovski sill bothers him. You will be . How does Jim respond? Miss Riley gives Sonny a book on rocketry: "Principles of Guided Missile Design". This gets the attention of one of the company men who tries to tear down Cape Coalwood, but the miners fight back and eventually so does Sonnys dad. Linda Terry Hickamm. A lot of reviews focus on the main character's relationship with his father and on the actors' performances. [7], The film's star, Jake Gyllenhaal, was 17 years old during filming, the same as Homer Hickam's character. O'Dell: Treasurer and supplies. Yet the teacher agrees if the principle will agree. The majority of the chapter covers a trip that the Rocket Boys take to earn money. Homer Hickam Jr.'s father was not named John. Do you think his opinion is justified? in the beginning, what questions does Sonny ask his mother concerning his father? Does Miss Riley died in October Sky? This chapter begins once again by setting the time it happened not with dates but with the space race. This page was last edited on 17 February 2023, at 12:35. Gyllenhaal has continued his successful film career since, adding Love & Other Drugs(2010),Nightcrawler (2014),Southpaw(2015), Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019),and Ambulance (2022) to his rsum. The coal mine is the town's largest employer and almost every man living in the town works in the mines. The problem is that he knows the superintendent will not allow it. This article is about the 1999 American biographical film directed by Joe Johnston. This works at least well enough to convince Sonnys father to give him a place to launch his rockets, even if he still isnt happy about it. No matter what, she is always there for Sonny, whether it's being at important events in his life, such as the BCMA's final rocket launch, or helping him prepare for the national science fair. Why? You have to have the courage to learn what's inside it." It is called rocket candy. What effect does the tragedy have on Homer and Elsie? Identify two differences between Jim and Sonny. After this, Sonny returns to his rocket building. How do the spectators react? How does Sonny respond? Ike Bykovsky Elya Baskin in October Sky Valentine Carmina Kailie Hollister in October Sky Miss Riley Laura Dern in October Sky O'Dell How does Homer respond?, "We're going to space, Dad." The broadcaster, 65, who has spent nearly 16 years . How does Bykoski rationalize his help? She plays the Rocket Boys' science teacher and their biggest supporter, continuing to cheer them on as she eventually battles. This 14 page movie guide with handouts is for the film "October Sky (1999)". Elya Baskin joined October Sky as Ike Bykovsky. In this case, the launch of Luna 1. Is one of your favorite characters missing? 52 terms. He has been kept out of football this year, which means he has likely also been kept out of college, which means he will likely achieve far less in his life than he otherwise would have. When we first meet Miss Riley, she is still a senior at Concord College, and is only student teaching at Big Creek High School. At the last, she was carried by stretcher to her classroom. Although I was having trouble with algebra at the time, Miss Riley believed in me and so I believed in myself. We've all had those teachers that make a huge impact on our lives. Throughout the entire story, the reader sees constant arguing, a lack of communication, and a sense of neglect between the two. John Dubonnet is the mine union leader and he butts heads with Homer because Homer is a "company man" who represents the company is Coalwood. Jim became a successful football coach. What do you think this symbolizes to her? October 5th 1957. I trust she thought of her Rocket Boys when he did. The pastor of the church does a sermon about fathers and sons. He has conflicting feelings because he wants the other boys to get credit. She is angry, calls him selfish and slaps him. Miss Riley's support only continues throughout the years. RAshton-Hall. How does he reply? What do you think this reveals to Homer? Miss Riley brings in a map to show that the boy's rockets couldn't go that far. How does Quentin respond to Sonny? Suite 3200 Homer never dropped out of school to work in the town's mine. Why do you think he refers to these as drawers? Natalie Canerday played Elsie Hickam, offering maternal wisdom to Homer as he butts heads with his father. Richard says that God is in numbers too not just words, and to make sure Sonny doesn't get too prideful going into space. Because of the book and movie, Miss Riley, as we knew her, has taken on near-icon status amongst teachers across the nation and the world. This movie has deep values. 39 lessons. Sonny tries to make a rocket and he blows up his mom's rose garden fence. Sonny also discovers that his science teacher has cancer. As he is leaving he sees the boy, who has often tormented him in the past. Why is being "cut-off" from work especially meaningful in Coalwood? Pooky also comes to the rocket launches drunk and with a loaded gun. She is able to let them use it, but they find an alternative and begin to experiment with a fuel they believe will be better than black powder. She encouraged him and pushed him to do his best and he looks up to her and cares about her. Usually, the teachers we appreciate the most are the ones who encouraged us, supported us, taught us something new, and made us feel valued. Sonny asks Dorothy to the dance so Roy Lee wouldn't. What effect does the suspension of the football team have on Buck Trant? Roger Ebert, who gave the film three-and-a-half stars out of four, recognized that the film "doesn't simplify the father into a bad guy or a tyrant. They also become convinced that in order to really understand what is in the book, they will need to learn calculus a class that is not offered by their school. Sonny because he taught himself and Quentin insists. With whom does Sonny become friends with at the National Science Fair? Auk C broke Elsie's bathroom scale and the boys replaced it. Baskin came into the role after making appearances in Moscow on the Hudson(1984),The Name of the Rose(1986),Love Affair(1994),Air Force One(1997),Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997), and hitting the small screen on St. They choose not to call the police even though they are almost certain who it was that took the shot at him. Two state troopers have arrived because they believe that one of the boys rocket started a fire and burned down some homes. She was only 31 years old. (11) $4.50. Both Buck and Jim don't think they'll be able to do to college without football scholarships, and that they won't get any if they don't play their senior year. The Tennessee festival's site claims that the festival is "a celebration of our heritage. How does Sonny feel? What causes Sonny's dream of reciprocal love from Dorothy to end? This means that they will need a new formula, but the zinc they want to use needs to be mixed. Sonny lies to her because he's Sonny's friend. What happens to Sonny on their money-making venture? To do a poor job was simply not acceptable. Quentin though explains that the other boys have far more to lose. After seeing Mr. Bykovskis death, Sonny blames himself and shuts down almost entirely. Which do you think most affects Sonny? [2], October Sky received generally positive reviews. Sometimes one dream is enough to light up the whole sky. Who is the narrator and how old is he when his memoir begins? Overcoming a poor education, a . Rocket Boys (from which the film October Sky was based) is about life in a West Virginia coal town during the 1950's and centered on my high school days when some friends and I decided to become rocket-builders. She keeps encouraging Sonny to enter the fair, even though he is reluctant at first. Miss Riley suffers ups and downs because of her illness, but no matter how badly she's feeling she makes every effort to be there for Sonny. They beat the ever-living snot out of each other. He was very excited to be involved, so much so it gave him a heart attack. Why does Miss Riley ask Sonny about Jake Mosby? More directly to him, this means that not only will she not be able to help much with the science fair. This is the first moment of the Rocket Boys and the bigger ideas begin to really intersect as he is given a chance to ask him a question. Identify two results of the union/company conflict that directly affect the Hickam family and one that affects the BCMA. In the aftermath of the arrest, the boys are dejected and abandon rocketry, destroying their launch site. It lands near the mine and knocks a chunk out of Homer's office wall. At long last, they say, someone has written about a real school teacher, one who not only fought for her students, but insisted that they learn. Why do they disband? She flew to an altitude . With the support of his teacher Miss Riley [Laura Dern] and three friends, Homer Hickam, Jr. sets out on an inspiring quest to build his own rocket. They launch off their rockets as everyone in the town celebrates. He says Homer shouldn't object because it's a good skill to learn. Film crews reconstructed the sites to look like the 1957 mining town setting the movie demanded. Write the main verb in the following sentence and identify it as either in the active or passive voice. Miss Riley was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma and worried, Sonny asked her why she had been so tired during class, she then told him. After teaching for only a few years with Hodgkin's disease, Miss Riley passed away. Far more people have now begun to show up to the Rocket Boys launches as they become a more important point to the city of Coalwood. What is Quentin's definition of a good rocket? . He's their mom's favorite. It is rocket candy because when the rocket is launched the smoke smells sweet or like candy. This guide may also work well as a sub plan for your substitute teacher.PART 1 - Comprehension questions. The true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who was inspired by the first Sputnik launch to take up rocketry against his father's wishes. October Sky is a 1999 film directed by Joe Johnston, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Laura Dern, and Chris Cooper. He understandably wants his son to follow in his footsteps, and one of the best elements of the movie is in breaking free, he is respecting his father. It is only when he finally speaks to Mrs. Bykovski that he begins to move beyond it. The chapter ends with Sonny discovering the book that his father used to help teach himself the math that he needed to run the mine and taking it for himself so that he can learn on his own. When I got arrogant because of my rocket successes, or in trouble for my failures, she kept me on an even keel with just a few words of appropriate encouragement and a form of tough love. Homer, who wrote a book about how Miss Riley gave him the direction he needed to achieve great things, became a rocket scientist for NASA. We hope you found this October Sky summary useful for your comprehension of the book. The black phone that goes to the mine rings, except this time his mother rips the phone from the wall and throws it out onto the lawn. Homer Hickam was looking up, too. "A man who loves her and won't stop loving her.". Why is Sonny not allowed to take calculus? Chris Cooper joinedOctober Skyas John Hickam, the father to Gyllenhaal's Homer. In the film October Sky, the character Sonny is less selfish than he is in the book. The biggest part of this chapter though is a bit of news that doesnt seem, for now, to affect the Rocket Boys directly. The future star came into the gig after picking up early roles inCity Slickers(1991),Josh and S.A.M. While he is searching the floor unsuccessfully for his hero, the other students lobby successfully for a separate rocketry category. It then describes nearly every building and major person in Coalwood, showing it as a far better than average mining town, and also in many ways, a typical small town centered around a single industry. Pam Grier reflects on her most iconic roles, from Coffy to Jackie Brown. The struggle with both father and brother, the difficulty with girls, learning about rockets, and the worry about the Russians are all shown in this chapter. Even worse, he leaves his nozzles behind and they are stolen. Mr. Van Dyke was fired for trying to negotiate and the union threatens to strike. Homer Hickam is the main character's name; in the book and in real life he was nicknamed "Sonny". what is a "basis for modification"?, Anything that they have to change from one rocket to the next. One of her upcoming responsibilities just happens to be helping students who want to enter the fair. What is the primary reason Quentin believes Sonny should enter the science fair? What question does Sonny's mother ask him after the rocket failure? Having discovered that something was wrong at the mine and that his father had went in, Sonny sneaks out of his house after his mother insists that he not go. What money-making project does O'Dell suggest? "You always have time for Jim." Homer returns to school by special invitation; the boys return to rocketry and win the school science fair. Sonny is devastated because Daisy Mae was his best friend. Though the local paper runs a story about the boys, they are accused of starting a wildfire with a stray rocket and are arrested. How do you think Sonny feels about Jim? How do Sonny's parents react? Miss Riley A friendly miner who assists Homer with building rockets at many points in Rocket Boys. How does this friend help him? What is Sonny's "startling revelation" about geometry? On October 4, 1957, a lot of people in the world were looking up into the sky. In Homer Hickam's autobiographical October Sky, Miss Freida Riley does all of these things and more for Homer, aka Sonny, and the rest of the ''rocket boys'' in the Big Creek Missile Agency (BCMA). One of the many roadblocks in the Rocket Boys' way, Principal Turner was played by actor Chris Ellis. How does Home explain his acquaintance with her to Sonny? Miss Riley, our job is to give these kids an education. Covering only a few days, this chapter gives the Rocket Boys one of the things that they had been looking for through the entire story. How does Homer intervene in the football team's concerns? Sonny watches until someone is brought out on a stretcher: Ike Bykovski, a man who was working in the mine, at least in part because he had helped Sonny to build rockets. O'Dell suggests going and digging up old railroad drainage pipes. What is the result of the launch of Auk V? What does Emily Sue tell Sonny about his love for Dorothy? They would better understand the rocket book given to them by Miss Riley and they would be able to build better rockets. Get this album or track at: 1:21: 18. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Filming began on February 23, 1998, almost a year before the movie's release. After racking up small screen roles on Boy Meets World,Picket Fences,7th Heaven, and Sister, Sister and making a brief appearance in 1998'sCan't Hardly Wait Chris Owen landed a role inOctober Sky. Overcoming a poor education, a tough father John Hickam [Chris Cooper] and a series of misfires, Homer H. Hickam, Jr. turns his dreams into reality in this incredible true story of hope . Quiz # 61,653. Updated February 04, 2023 at 06:03 PM EST. Sonny thinks plane geometry was message from God. He is on his own, literally, since there can be only one name on the science fair signup. What observation do the boys make? How is the conflict resolved? He then joins the marching band and plays snare. Baskin continued to fill his extensive filmography with roles in Heartbreakers (2001),a turn as Mr. Ditkovich in the second and third installments ofSam Raimi'sSpider-Mantrilogy (2004 and 2007), Angels & Demons(2009),Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011), The Hive (2014), Supervized (2019), and I Love Us (2021). October Sky Summary Chapter 1: Coalwood Chapter 2: Sputnik Chapter 3: Mom Chapter 4: The Football Fathers Chapter 5: Quentin Chapter 6: Mr. Bykovski Chapter 7: Cape Coalwood Chapter 8: Construction of the Cape Chapter 9: Jake Mosby Chapter 10: Miss Riley Chapter 11: Rocket Candy Chapter 12: The Machinists Chapter 13: The Rocket Book Without excuses, Sonny has to do the math to figure out the best possible way to create the nozzle of their rocket. This chapter covers two things. It's her heart's desire. October Sky Based on the memoir Rocket Boys by Homer H. Hickam Jr., October Sky emerged as one of the most delightful sleepers of 1999--a small miracle of good ol' fashioned movie-making in the cynical, often numbingly trendy Hollywood of the late 20th century. He also gives them a book on trigonometry so that they can discover how high their rockets are going. The first is that the woman sells moonshine and other things to men. The story continues with the Rocket Boys finishing their cape and putting up notices of their launches. Lanier's sermon about fathers and sons? Jake pays off their debt if they promise to wash his car for the rest of time. However, she's all set to begin teaching chemistry full-time the following year. What is the altitude range that Auk XVI-XIX attain? October Sky is a memoir by Homer Hickman, Jr. . Homer Hickman, Jr. tells the story, from his point of view, of the journey of the Rocket Boys in their quest to becoming successful in rocket. Psychological Research & Experimental Design, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses, Miss Riley in October Sky: Character Analysis & Quotes, Relationship Between Homer & His Father in October Sky, Smarter Balanced Assessments - ELA Grades 6-8: Test Prep & Practice, Study.com SAT Reading Test Section: Review & Practice, English 101 Syllabus Resource & Lesson Plans, Middle School Language Arts: Lessons & Help, Literacy Instruction in the Elementary School, GACE Program Admission Assessment Test I Reading (210): Practice & Study Guide, OAE Middle Grades English Language Arts (028) Prep, Common Core History & Social Studies Grades 11-12: Literacy Standards, Study.com ACT® Reading Test Section: Prep & Practice, The Organization Man by William Whyte: Summary & Analysis, Fun, Interactive Writing Activities: Individual & Group, Recursively Using Stages of the Writing Process, Mammon and the Archer Discussion Questions, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. The same year that Skyarrived in theaters, Owen also starred inShe's All That and American Pie. In October 1957, news of the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik 1 reaches the town of Coalwood, West Virginia, where most male residents work in the coal mines. We are excited to announce the release of our Miss Riley Fiberglass Rocket Kits now for purchase on our website! Finally, the October Sky script is here for all you quotes spouting fans of the Jake Gyllenhaal and Chris Cooper movie. Daisy Mae is his calico cat that Sonny found in the mountains. The company sells the houses, church and unities and the union is unhappy because now the miners will have to pay for all of those things. Where do they get this ingredient from? Copyright National Museum of Education. What does Elsie give Sonny for Christmas? As the town looks up to the skies, John slowly puts his hand on Homer's shoulder and smiles, finally showing . Elsie makes him clean up around the house, and cook kidneys for the cats. Geneva is a baby that Homer rescued from a fire that killed the whole rest of her family. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 91% out of 74 critics gave the film a positive review, with a rating average of 7.6/10. What excuse does Homer give Elsie about not leaving Coalwood for Myrtle Beach? October Skytells the true story of a young man pursuing rocket science, despite his father's wishes. Appearing inAmerican Beautythe same year, Cooper plays the stern mine manager who is skeptical of Homer's rocket dreams. This still bothers the people in the town though, who are very wary of explosions as the worry of the mine is clearly a major concern in the town. An ally to Homer, Ike lets the boys use his shop tools for their rockets before he's transferred underground, eventually dying in an accident at the mine. Thiswith the permission of her sister, Iva Riley Dean. The screenplay by Lewis Colick, based on the memoir of the same name, tells the true story of Homer H. Hickam Jr., a coal miner's son who was inspired by the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957 to take up rocketry against his father's wishes and eventually became a NASA engineer. He is furious. Quentin thinks that the other boys will listen to Sonny, so they'll have help building the rockets. How would you feel if you were Sonny? Bykovski, who is a welder on the night shift. But he has his circle of support too: Miss Riley (Laura Dern), an inspiring teacher who believes in breaking convention, a nerd called Quentin (Chris Owen) with engineering smarts, and Homer's . All Rights Reserved. Unfortunately, Miss Riley's life gets quite a bit more difficult the fall of Sonny's senior year in high school. The Rocket Boys decide that they need a break from building rockets. In "October Sky," Ike Bykovski, a character who was a composite of real miners Hickam knew, died in a mine accident after helping Homer with his rockets. Updated Dec 03 21 # Qns 10. How does Sonny first meet him? [8], October Sky opened on February 19, 1999 in 1,495 theaters and had an opening weekend gross of $5,905,250. OCTOBER SKY REFLECTION PAPER Th e movie was about a boy who's father was a miner. "[7][8] The crews also recreated a mine for the underground scenes. The weather of east Tennessee gave the filmmakers trouble and delayed production of the film. Do you think he should feel this way? She manages to procure materials to conduct experiments with her own meager income, such as when she shows an example of ''rapid oxidation'' by setting fire to a mixture of potassium chlorate and sugar. October Sky Character Analysis. Here he discovers that his brother has taken the girl he has been in love with for years out on a date. What is the name of the first rocket using the new fuel? Get this album or track at: 2:23: 17. Why does Miss Riley choose Sonny to represent the BCMA at the science fair? Sonny has a stomach ache and a head ache. This chapter continues the battle between mother and father over Sonny, except that for the first time Sonnys father appears to care about the battle. Direction and letting the powder dry for longer before they load up the rocket. What happens to Ike Bykovski and Homer in the mine tragedy? October Sky 71 Metascore 1999 1 hr 48 mins Drama PG Watchlist It's 1957, and the space race has captured the imagination of young Homer Hickam (Jake Gyllenhaal), a coal miner's son who dreams of. When the opportunity arises for one of them to participate in the National Science Fair in Indianapolis, they elect Homer. Coalhickans. Who consoles Sonny after Dorothy dates Jim? Planning for the trip to the National Science Fair, Sonny is taken to get a suit. October Sky is the first memoir in a series of four, by American engineer Homer Hickam Jr. originally published in 1998 as Rocket Boys. Jake is kind to Sonny and is actually interested in what he does. The company owns everything. October Sky: Directed by Joe Johnston. How does she respond? Riley, the teacher who inspired the Rocket Boys and is depicted in the film October Sky. This article will give you a chapter by chapter October Sky summary. What is Sonny's response to Homer's statement that he might come to Cape Coalwood when he has time? The Freida J. His mother wants Sonny to succeed. Jessica_Tatum470. Cast and crew recalled the major weather shifts and tornadoes in the area during the filming months but Joe Johnston claims, "ultimately, the movie looks great because of it. What is Homer's father's name . Jake Mosby is a mining engineer from Ohio who stuck around after going through "mining boot camp". The sermon reminds everyone that while a son should respect his father, it is a fathers job to help his son achieve his dreams. 4501. Are these resolved and if so how? October Sky Video Questions (8) 49 terms. Their goal is to build rockets and launch them to space. What does the author reveal about each of the BCMA boys in the Epilogue? Speedo. How does Miss Riley assist the boys? . [3] Principal photography took place in rural East Tennessee, including Oliver Springs, Harriman and Kingston in Morgan and Roane counties. In a subsequent conversation with the science fiction writer Neal Stephenson, Bezos commented that he had always wanted to start a space company. How does Sonny react? The science fair may be their only real chance to pay to go to college, but in order for that to work, they have to win not only locally but make a real impression. Though her cancer goes into remission for a few years, Miss Riley does end up dying from it when she is 32. And what better way to start than for the boys to enter the county science fair? [4][5], October Sky is an anagram of Rocket Boys, the title of the 1998 memoir upon which the film is based. What are the results? Round: The character has many personalities and shows them all throughout the Dorothy will never like him back because she wants to keep him as a friend. Quentin is not a mean kid, but the local nerd. Quentin agrees to help Sonny so that he can get experience in building rockets. A miner and his family would lose their home as well as any credit at the company store. Elsie lets him take most of Sonny's clothes home. October Sky. It is given in honor of Freida J. Riley, the teacher who inspired theRocket Boysand is depicted in the filmOctober Sky. Sonny knows he wants to be an engineer and his father sees the opportunity of him becoming a mine engineer. For this they go to the dugout, a small dancing hall where all the kids go. Why doesn't Sonny quit football on his own?