Lit Circle Questions

IMPORTANT: You can only submit these answers ONCE. I suggest (highly!) to write answers on scrap paper then when your group is all finished answering questions, you can type them on the Ipad. Once you start typing, you can not SAVE  and come back later.


The Graveyard Book

The Egypt Game

Stargirl

Double Helix

The Witches

The Westing Game

Matilda

When You Reach Me

Lost and Found

Lit Circle Books

Below are the different options for books to read in your Lit Circle. Please read each summary and look through the books. You can also do a google search for a specific book to read the reviews.

*Make sure you complete the slip of paper. This will help me decide which book is best for you*

Title: Matilda Pages: 230 Lexile: 840 # of copies: 5

Matilda is a sweet, exceptional young girl, but her parents think shes just a nuisance. She expects school to be different, but there she has to face Miss Trunchbull, a kid-hating terror of a headmistress. When Matilda is attacked by the Trunchbull, she suddenly discovers she has a remarkable power with which to fight back. It’ll take a superhuman genius to give Miss Trunchbull what she deserves, and Matilda may just be the one to do it!

Title: I Survived Hurricane Katrina Pages: 110 Lexile: 590 # of copies: 4

Barry’s family tries to evacuate before Hurricane Katrina hits their home in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans. But when Barry’s little sister gets terribly sick, they’re forced to stay home and wait out the storm.

At first, Katrina doesn’t seem to be as severe a storm as forecasters predicted. But overnight the levees break, and Barry’s world is literally torn apart. He’s swept away by the floodwaters, away from his family. Can he survive the storm of the century, alone?

Title: When You Reach Me Pages: 197 Lexile: 750 # of copies: 8 (2 Lit Circles)

By 6th grade, Miranda and her best friend, Sal, know how to navigate their New York City neighborhood. They know where it is safe to go and who to avoid. Like the crazy guy on the corner.

           But things start to unravel. Sal gets punched by a kid on the street for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life. The apartment key that Miranda’s mom keeps hidden for emergencies if stolen. And then a mysterious note arrives, on a tiny slip of paper: I am coming to save your friend’s life, and my own. I ask two favors. First, you must write me a letter.

           The notes keep coming, and Miranda slowly realizes that whoever is leaving them knows things no one should know. Each message brings her closer to believing that only she can prevent a tragic death. Until the final note makes her think she’s too late…

Title: The Westing game Pages: 182 Lexile: 840 # of copies: 5

When sixteen people are called together for the reading of wealthy Sam Westing's will, they are surprised to learn that the will is actually a contest in which they are all to participate. Working with partners, the potential participants take their clues to try to find the elusive answer to the Westing game and thus take their shares of the two-hundred-million-dollar prize. But will they survive the blizzards, burglaries, and bombings!

Title: The Graveyard Book Pages:  300 Lexile: 820 # of copies: 4

Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be "completely" normal if he didn't live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead.

There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy — an ancient Indigo Man beneath the hill, a gateway to a desert leading to an abandoned city of ghouls, the strange and terrible menace of the Sleer. But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will come under attack from the man Jack — who has already killed Bod's family . . .

Title: The Witches Pages:  205 Lexile: 740 # of copies:

Grandmamma loves to tell about witches. Real witches are the most dangerous of all living creatures on earth. There's nothing they hate so much as children, and they work all kinds of terrifying spells to get rid of them. Her grandson listens closely to Grandmamma's stories — but nothing can prepare him for the day he comes face to face with The Grand High Witch herself!

Title: Stargirl   Pages:  200   Lexile: 590 # of copies:

Stargirl is not like other people at Mica School. She wears weird clothes. She dances in the rain. She plays a ukulele (tiny guitar). She captures Leo’s heart. The other students think she is too differnet. They think everyone should be the same. Even Leo wishes Stargirl could be more normal. Can Stargirl change or will the students accept her for who she is?

Title: The Egypt Game   Pages:  215   Lexile: 1010 # of copies:

The first time Melanie Ross meets April Hall, she's not sure they'll have anything in common. But she soon discovers that they both love anything to do with ancient Egypt. When they stumble upon a deserted storage yard behind the A-Z Antiques and Curio Shop, Melanie and April decide it's the perfect spot for Egypt Game.

Before long there are six Egyptians instead of two. After school and on weekends they all meet to wear costumes, hold ceremonies, and work on their secret code. Everyone thinks it's just a game, until strange things begin happening to the players. Has the Egypt Game gone too far?

Title: Double Helix-A Mystery   Pages:  240   Lexile: 700 # of copies:

Although Eli Samuels is barely out of high school, he’s offered a job at Wyatt Transgenics by Dr. Quincy Wyatt, the legendary molecular biologist. Eli knows this job is a fantastic opportunity. The salary is amazing, the work is interesting, and Dr. Wyatt seems to be paying special attention to Eli. It is almost too good to be true. Is there a catch?

Eli’s girlfriend doesn’t think so but his father is very against his taking the job and wont explain why. Eli knows there’s some connection between Dr. Wyatt and his parents—something too painful for his father to discuss. Something to do with his mother, who is now very sick with a disease. As Eli works at the lab, and spends time with Dr. Wyatt, he begins to uncover some shocking information…about himself…

Title: A Matter of Trust     Pages:  125     Lexile: 750 # of copies:

In grade school, Darcy Wills and Brisana Meeks were friends. But all that changed at Bluford High when Darcy started hanging with "the zeros," a group of students Brisana despises. Now the former friends are bitter rivals, and the tension between them is getting worse. For a while, Darcy tries to stay calm, ignoring her old friend's daily taunts. But when she learns that Brisana is after her boyfriend, Hakeem Randall, Darcy knows she must do something. But what?

Title: Lost and Found     Pages:  133     Lexile: 760 # of copies:

Darcy Willis is in big trouble. And she does not know where to turn for help. First there was the mysterious stranger who started following her. Then there was the threatening note left on her desk at Bluford High School. And now her sister has disappeared. Forced into a desperate race against time, Darcy must take action to save her sister before it is too late.

1. The words rode, road, and rowed all have meanings listed below. Choose the one that does not go with the others.
1. The past tense of ride
2. A machine that looks like a human
3. A trail
4. To move a boat with oars

2. I can always count on seeing the a lineup of sparrows on the telephone line outside my house. They are there night and day. The sparrows have become my friends throughout summer. I fed them and they have sung me songs.

Which title tells the main idea of the story?

1. My friends the sparrows
2. Sparrows are fun
3. What sparrows do
4. Sparrows on the line

3. Read the sentences about four animals.

1. A large electric eel can release powerful electric shocks
2. Currents produced by electric catfish are loud enough to be heard.
3. The snout fish use electric current to communicate.
4. The stargazer fish may use electric power to attract a mate.

What do all the fish have in common?

1. All live in freshwater rivers.
2. All have the ability to produce electric currents.
3. All have the ability to harm humans.
4. They have a way to communicate with each other

4. Mrs. Smith, who has taught junior high school math for the past 30 years, received a certificate of appreciation honoring her for her years of service.

Which statement below doesn’t belong?

1. She is the best teacher in junior high school.
2. Math is a difficult subject to teach.
3. She should be appreciated for her long career.
4. She was recognized for her years of service.

5. The Presidential Physical Fitness Award can be earned by any boy or girl 10 years or older. The award is presented to students who have met the goals for these seven activities: 30 yard dash, 50 yard dash, 600 yard endurance run, standing jump, sit ups, pull ups, and softball throw. Only 15 out of every 100 children in the U.S. are able to qualify. Others find it impossible to meet the goal for one or more of the events.

What is the main idea of the passage?

1. You must be 10 years old to participate.
2. You must meet goals to earn this award.
3. Fifteen out of 100 students fail.
4. There are 7 activities in the Physical Fitness Test.

6. Once the flower buds are formed, it doesn’t matter if the plant is kept indoors or in deep shade. Full sun tends to fade the flowers faster, while cool temperature prolongs their staying power. Although a light frost won’t harm most plants, play it safe and bring them indoors if a cold snap threatens.

In the passage, the phrase “full sun” means…

1. No shade
2. Light half of the day
3. Deep shade
4. Cool temperatures

Juan watched the sparkles dancing on the river. He loved the bright sun on the water and the feel of the soft breeze on his face. The sky was a brilliant blue. What a good day!

This passage seems to be part of a

1. Poem
2. Joke
3. Report
4. story

Poems

Dentist and the Crocodile

Adventures of Isabel

Valentine

Daddy Fell Into the pond

Poems

NWEA Test Activities

Below is a site that has tons of activities and games to practice for the NWEA. Try them all! 

CLICK HERE FOR ACTIVITIES AND GAMES!

NWEA Practice

Elephant article

Spider article

President article

NWEA Reading

Practice Reading Test!

Autism Research

All of this is done on a separate sheet. 1 sheet per group.

1. What is Autism? (Make sure YOU understand the definition)
2. Is there a "cure"? (Remember, autism isn't a disease. But is there a way to make the autism go away?)
3. How many children are affected by autism? (How common is it?)

Next, go to your newsela account, sign in, and find the article in your binder.

Read article with partner. Write main idea. Complete quiz.

Bam. You're done. 

Newsela Prep

Everyone, complete the following on a sheet of notebook paper. This will be turned in.


1. Go to newsela.com and sign in.
2. Sign in with your account info. If you dont remember info, use a friends.
3. Click on Binder.
4. Find the article "Animal activists brace..."
5. Find the Lexile level closest to you. If you do not remember, click on 860L.  WRITE YOUR LEVEL ON TOP OF YOUR PAPER.
6. READ ARTICLE
7. WRITE MAIN IDEA
8. ANSWER 4 QUESTIONS
9. WRITE OUT THE WHOLE ANSWER
10. DO NOT SUBMIT ONLINE

Ch. 33/34/35 Quiz

Please answer the questions below on the same sheet you wrote your jobs. 

1. On page 182, Moose gives a hint that he may like Piper. How does he do this?
2. Inference: Ch. 33 ends with the statements "This is terrible. This is good." What can you infer about these statements?
3. Who does Moose's mother invite to Natalie's party?
4. Who does Natalie want to invite to her party?
5. Complete the table that is written on the board. 
6. Inference: Why is "the word WE buzzing" inside Moose's head at the end of the chapter?
7. Why is ch. 35 called "The Truth"?
8. Why is it so important for Moose's mother to keep Natalie young?
9. Inference: Why is it a good idea that Moose and his father tell his mother that it is time to be honest about Nat's age?

Love that Dog Quiz

Before doing this quiz, you will need to read pages 20-24.



1. Part A. How does Jack feel about Robert Frost's poetry? (p. 20-21)
1. Part B. Which answer below supports question 1?
        a. "I really really really did NOT get the pasture poem you read today."
        b. "And you said that Mr. Robert Frost who wrote about the pasture was             also the one who wrote about those snowy woods..."
        c. "I think Mr. Robert Frost has a little too much time on his hands."

2. What does Jack think the "wheelbarrow poet" was doing? (p. 22-23)
       a. Typing up his own poems
       b. Reading Robert Frost poems
       c. Making pictures with words

3. According to Jack, why do people think Robert Frost's writing is poetry? (p.22-23)
     a. Robert Frost writes about snowy woods and a pasture.
     b. Robert Frost's teacher typed up his words to make them look like a poem.
     c. Robert Frost's poem is like the wheelbarrow poem.

4. Part A: How do you think Jack feels about his poems after his teacher typed them up? (p. 22-23)
    a. Proud 
    b. Embarrassed 
    c. Frustrated

4. Part B: Which answer below supports your answer to Part A?
     a. "Like how you did with the blue car things"
     b.  "typed up they look like poems"
     c. "the other kids are looking at them and they think they really are poems"

5. Which sentence below best describes what Jack learned about poetry in pages 20-24?
      a. Poems are written by people with too much time on their hands.
      b. No one really understands what poems mean.
      c. Poems make pictures with words.