Teacher’s Guideg-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/kindle/merch/ACP/The... · 2015-12-17 · On...

Teacher’s Guide

2Missing Pieces of Me

RL4.2 RL5.2 RL3.4 RL5.4

1. If you were to think of yourself and your life as a giant puzzle, what would be the most important pieces of you? Choose six pieces (sides, aspects, or characteristics) of you that you think are the most important to who you are.

For example, you might choose your family, your pet, or a favorite sport. In the puzzle below, draw a symbol to represent each piece and write a caption that explains why it is important to you.

Example: Draw a picture of your dog, then write, “My dog, Fido, has been a member of our family for five years. I love him because he loves me no matter what and is always happy.”

2. This book is titled The Missing Pieces of Me.

a. Do you think this title is literal (word for word) or figurative (symbolic)?

b. What might this title mean?

3. What pieces might the main character be missing?

4. What hint might this title give about the problem the main character will face?

5. Based on the title, which of these might be a theme of this book?

a. conquering a fear b. friendship c. discovery

Pre-Reading: Pieces of You


Expanding Vocabulary: Magic Squares

RL3.4 RL4.4 RL5.4 RL3.4a RL4.4a RL5.4a

Directions: Read each numbered sentence from The Missing Pieces of Me. Use the clues provided in each sentence (or a dictionary), to decide which lettered definition in the box could replace the underlined word. Write that letter in the blank.

1. “I love my sugar,” she’d say to me, “but that doctor won’t let me have none. On account of the diabetes, you know.” (p. 7)

2. “I thought we could ride to town. I’m doing an investigation . . . I’m trying to find out about him.” (p. 20)

3. At first I didn’t see anyone, but then a quavery voice said, “Who was that at the door, Shirley?” (p. 24)

4. I saw someone huddled under a blanket in a recliner chair. (p. 24)

5. “Give me a minute,” he said. “I don’t see so good and Shirley thinks my brain is addled too.” (p. 24)

6. But no, she kept smirking at me, like she knew something I didn’t know. (p. 37)

7. And it always acted like a big-shot, strutting around with its head held high like it owned the place. (p. 34)

8. The cat gave me a look like I’m not talking to you and ambled away. (p. 63)

9. As I came back to my step, I caught a glimpse of the cat lurking in the bushes. (p. 68)

10. She had a favorite jam she used to spread on her breakfast toast. It was orangey-yellow. Marmalade, she called it. (p. 69)

11. Momma’s voice pierced through the fog in my head. (p. 75)

12. He’d tailed this guy and now he was giving him the police interrogation. (p. 108)

13. “You probably wouldn’t like Roxie,” I said. “She’s kind of hyper.” (p. 133)

14. I’d hardly noticed the girls. I looked again. Magnified, I saw long, dark hair, short skirts, light-colored sweaters, and something in their hands. (p. 170)

15. “Doctor Fine said he was almost recovered. And he knows how to take care of himself.” (p. 180)

16. “My stomach’s not feeling so good,” I said. Which was true. All of a sudden it was kind of queasy. (p. 190)

Now, see if you were correct by completing this magic square!

Write the number of the sentence in the square next to the letter of the matching definition. If you’ve matched sentences and definitions correctly, every column, row, and diagonal in the magic square will add up to the same number. An example has been done for you.

Answer key on page 27.

A. strolled, wandered

B. forced through, punctured

C. overexcited

D. a search for facts

E. condition that occurs when the body can’t use glucose (sugar) normally

F. increased in size

G. act of questioning someone

H. walking proudly or smugly

I. an orange jelly

J. confused

K. shaky

L. nauseous, unsettled

M. regained health

N. curled up tightly into oneself

O. sneering, grinning smugly

P. very brief look

A = B = C = D = E = 1 F = G = H =

I = J = K = L = M = N = O = P =

E


Chapter Discussion Questions: Chapters 1–5

Examining the Plot

RL3.1 RL3.3 RL4.1 RL5.1

1. How does Momma react when the teapot breaks?

2. Why was Gramma Emmeline’s teapot so important to Momma?

3. List two adjectives to describe Gramma Emmeline.

4. Copy a passage (1–3 lines) from Chapter 2, “Gramma Emmeline,” that shows a favorite memory Weezie (Grace Louise) has about Gramma Emmeline. Then explain how Weezie felt about her grandmother.

5. What is “The Investigation?”

Identifying Setting

RL3.1 RL4.1 RL4.3

The setting of a novel refers to where and when the story takes place. There can be many different settings in a story. Complete the following web diagram to show what you know so far about the setting of The Missing Pieces of Me.

SETTING

General time period:

a. early 1900s

b. recent past

c. future

What state?

Big or small town?

Time of year?

a. fall

b. winter

c. spring

d. summer

Description of Weezie’s

neighborhood:



Determining Point of View

RL3.1 RL3.6 RL4.1 RL4.6 RL5.1 RL5.6

Every story is told from a certain point of view. These are the “eyes” through which the author chooses to tell the story. The Missing Pieces of Me is told in the first person point of view, because the narrator (Weezie) is also a character in the story and we can only see through her “eyes.”

1. Copy one sentence from the novel that shows it is written in the first person point of view.

2. Why do you think an author would chose to write this book in the first person point of view?

Discovering Missing Pieces

RL3.3 RL4.3

In Chapter 4, Weezie decides to discover the missing pieces of her father. Write the answers to the following questions in the puzzle pieces to record what Weezie has discovered so far in the novel.

• What kind of vehicle did her Daddy drive?

• How did Gramma feel about him?



Examining the Plot

RL3.1 RL3.3 RL4.1 RL4.2 RL5.1 RL5.2

1. Why do you think Mr. McCracken chooses NOT to punish Weezie for fighting with Ruby?

2. Complete the summary chart to describe what happens in Chapter 7, “Mac and Cheese.”

3. Why do Calvin and Weezie ride out to the truck stop? How does Momma react when she finds out?

4. How does Weezie feel about Mrs. Holcomb? Copy a passage from the novel to show this.

5. How does Mrs. Holcomb feel about Weezie? Copy a passage from the novel to show this.

6. Who is Marmalade? How is Weezie trying to tame her?

Weezie decides to

try to be good.

Weezie does the following chores for Momma :

______________, ______________, and

______________.

______________

stops by.

Weezie finds a

______________ and

puts it in her ________.

Momma comes home with ______________

for dinner. She does not notice all the work

that Weezie has done.

Weezie feels

_________ and

goes to her room.



Analyzing the Theme of Brokenness

RL3.2 RL4.1 RL4.3 RL5.1 RL5.2

A theme in a novel refers to a central idea that the writer wants to express. Most novels have several themes. One theme in this novel is about being broken. Objects like teapots can get broken; people are also said to be “broken” when they feel alone, sad, or confused.

1. One way Weezie is broken is by not knowing the identity of her father. Copy a passage from the novel that shows this.

2. How might finding out about her father help Weezie feel more whole?

3. Quickwrite: Describe a time when you felt broken. Make sure to include:

• what happened to cause this feeling

• how you felt

• how you reacted



Examining the Main Character

RL3.1 RL3.3 RL4.1 RL4.3 RL5.1 RL5.3

Authors develop a believable and likable character by giving information about her background, family life, personality traits, and feelings. We learn about the characters in a novel by examining what they think, feel, say, and do, as well as what others say and think about them.

Complete the following character web to describe what we know about Weezie so far in the novel. For each Feeling about the Future, copy a specific passage from the book that supports the given adjective.

Copy a passage that shows that Weezie feels like she is BAD. . . .

Give an example that shows that Weezie feels LONELY. . . .

Feelings

Choose your own personality trait and give an example:

Describe Weezie’s relationship with her siblings:

Give an example that shows that Weezie is KIND:

PersonalityTraitsFamily Life

Describe Weezie’s relationship with her mom:

Give an example that shows that Weezie is INDEPENDENT:

WEEZIE


RL3.3 RL4.3

Complete the following puzzle pieces to show what Weezie has learned about her father in this segment.

• Add names that might relate to Weezie’s father.

• Draw a simple sketch of the photograph Weezie finds of her father.



Examining the Plot

RL3.1 RL4.1 RL5.1

1. Why is Weezie surprised that Louella talks to her?

2. Why does Roy come over?

3. How does Weezie get Jackson to like the rabbit that Roy brings? Why do you think this is important to her?

4. What do Weezie and Louella do at her house?

5. How does it make Weezie feel to be at Louella’s house? Copy a passage from the novel that shows this.

Analyzing Pivotal Passages

RL3.1 RL3.4 RL3.5 RL4.1 RL4.3 RL4.4 RL5.1 RL5.4

In a novel, some passages are pivotal; in other words, these passages stand out and tell the reader something important about a character or about a theme of the novel. Read these pivotal passages and respond to the accompanying questions.

1. My daddy told lies, and I told lies too. He might be in jail, and I was in jail now on Saturdays. My daddy and me, we both were bad. (p. 74)

• When Weezie says she is in jail, is she using literal (actual) or figurative (symbolic) language? Explain.

• What does this passage tell us about how Weezie feels about herself?

2. [Ms. Martinelli] was looking me right in the eye now, not smiling. “Keep trying. I know you can do it.” That gave me a funny feeling. Did she really mean it? . . . . She probably didn’t. Probably she was just trying to be nice. Still, I felt a little bubble of something inside. What was that? Happy, I thought. I felt happy. (p. 79)

• Why did Weezie get a “funny feeling” when Ms. Martinelli said she knew she could draw a good picture of Marmalade?

• Do you think that Weezie feels happy often? Why or why not?

3. And that kitchen, with its daisy curtains and Louella and her nice momma and daddy, seemed like about the best place I could be. (p. 101)

• What place is Weezie referring to in this passage?

• How does this place make Weezie feel?



Comparing Characters

RL3.3 RL4.3 RL5.3

Complete the following Venn Diagram. In the left circle, list characteristics that can only describe Louella. In the right circle, list characteristics that only describe Weezie. In the center, list characteristics that both girls share.

Do you think Louella and Weezie can be good friends? Why or why not?


RL3.3 RL4.3

Add an adjective in each puzzle piece that Momma uses to describe Weezie’s father.

Louella Weezie



What Are Feral Cats?

RI3.1 RI4.1 RI5.1 RI3.2 RI4.2 RI5.2 RI4.9 RI5.9 W4.8 W4.9 W5.9 W3.10 W4.10 W5.10

On page 63, Weezie meets a stray cat for the first time. Reread this passage where she describes what the cat looks like:

I know cats don’t do what they’re told. Specially cats like this one. It had a squashed-in face and one chewed ear, like it had been in a few fights. And it always acted like a big-shot, strutting around with its head held high like it owned the place. I liked that. The way it just did what it wanted, roaming free. In a crazy way, I kind of wished I was that cat.

Cats like this one are called feral cats. Feral cats are homeless, stray cats that have been born in the wild or abandoned by their owners and forced to return to their original wild ways to survive. They are generally not friendly toward people, and may even spit or claw at a person who gets too close.

There are an estimated 60 million feral cats in the United States today. Some feral cats live in colonies, or groups, and try to find shelter and food in rundown houses, parking lots, or forests. They eat rodents, small birds, and garbage. During the cold winter months, they might try to find an abandoned car or even dig holes to stay warm.

Though life is difficult for feral cats, and many of the kittens do not survive the first year, those that are lucky enough to live in a colony with a caretaker, or person who volunteers to take care of these cats, may live as long as ten years. However, the dangers are many for feral cats, including starvation, trapping, extreme weather, and disease.

Though it may be tempting to try to tame a feral cat and provide a home for him, most experts advise against this. Feral cats, though they look like pet cats, actually survive by avoiding humans. They have learned to survive by relying on their natural instincts and predatory abilities. If feral cats start relying on humans for food or shelter, they could lose their ability to take care of themselves. Then these cats can starve or even die if those humans stop caring for them. Because of this natural mistrust of humans and indoors, they are generally happier and best if not tamed.

1. Underline at least three facts about feral cats from this passage.

2. Put a star next to which passage above you think is the MAIN IDEA of the passage. Then, in the margin, summarize in one sentence what you think the main idea of this passage is.

3. Using what you’ve learned from this passage, and the reading from pages 62 through 64 of The Missing Pieces of Me, explain why Marmalade is most likely a feral cat.

4. Quickwrite: Write a short letter to Weezie in which you explain to her why you think Marmalade might be a feral cat, using evidence from the article above to support your answer. Then, advise her what she should do about Marmalade in the future. Should she keep leaving milk, tuna, and French fries out for this cat? Why or why not? Make sure you support your letter with facts from the article when possible.



Examining the Plot

RL3.1 RL3.2 RL3.4 RL4.1 RL4.2 RL4.4 RL5.1 RL5.2 RL5.4

1. Complete this summary paragraph to show the main events that happened in Chapter 16, “A Blue Pickup Truck”:

Calvin and Weezie see an old blue pickup truck. They decide to follow it to see if it is Weezie’s father. Calvin rides Weezie on his bike and they first stop at . . .

2. Describe how Weezie feels when she is at Louella’s house. Then find and copy a passage from Chapter 17, “Peanut Butter Cookies,” or Chapter 18, “The Sleepover,” that shows that feeling.

3. Reread page 130. Why do you think Weezie feels sorry for Momma? Do you feel sorry for Momma? Why or why not?

4. On page 136, what does Weezie mean when she says, “I’d done it. I’d got Marmalade”?

Investigating Point of View

RL4.6 RL5.6

The Missing Pieces of Me is written in the first person point of view. This is evident because the narrator uses pronouns such as I and me, and the reader learns the story from only Weezie’s perspective. Read the following passage from Chapter 19, “Looking for Clues.”

I couldn’t keep track of all the lies I’d told. . . . If she knew about all my lies, Louella wouldn’t want to be my friend anymore. That would be the worst thing. . . . So I went inside and opened my library book. . . .That made me think of my daddy. If only I could find him, I could run away to his house.

1. Circle the pronouns that show you that the passage is written in the first person point of view.

2. Now, rewrite the passage in the third person point of view. Remember that in the third person point of view the narrator is not a character in the story. The author uses the pronouns “he” or “she” to refer to the main characters.

Weezie couldn’t keep track of all the lies she’d told. If Louella knew about . . .

3. Compare the first passage with the second passage. Which point of view do you like better for this passage? Why?

4. What does a reader gain from using the first person point of view?

5. What does a reader gain from using the third person point of view?



Writing from a Point of View

W3.3 W4.3 W5.3

In Chapter 20, “Capturing Marmalade,” the author, Jean Van Leeuwen, uses vivid details to describe the cat Marmalade. Reread pages 133–136 and note the descriptive language showing how intensely Marmalade listens and how proudly he stalks away. Now imagine that YOU are Marmalade and that you are at the Happy Days Trailer Park watching a girl who is talking to you. Using the first person point of view, complete the sentences in the sensory image below from the eyes of Marmalade. Describe what you see, hear, taste, and smell.

Now, imagine that you are Marmalade and you are listening to Weezie tell you her troubles. Write a narrative explaining what you think of Weezie and the Happy Days Trailer Park. Include the following:

• a description of the setting• an explanation of how you got to know Weezie. Use words like “first,” “next,” and “then” in your explanation. • why you like the Happy Days Trailer Park. Use specific details about the smells, sights, and sounds in your description.• a discussion of whether you trust Weezie

I smell . . . I taste . . .

I see . . . I hear . . .




RL3.3 RL4.3

In the puzzle piece, draw a simple sketch of the newspaper clipping Weezie finds.

Examining the Plot RL3.1 RL4.1 RL5.1

1. Why doesn’t Momma come to the art show?

2. Were you surprised when Weezie leaves with Roy on his motorcycle? Why or why not?

3. List one reason why Weezie thinks Momma hates her. Copy a passage from the text that supports this reason.

4. Explain why Chapter 25 is titled “A Bee With Big Feet.”


RL3.3 RL4.3

In each puzzle piece, write a clue you uncover from the newspaper clipping in Chapter 25.



Analyzing Change in a Character

RL3.1 RL3.2 RL3.3 RL4.1 RL4.3 RL5.1 RL5.3Weezie is changing and growing despite many challenges. Complete the following flowchart to show how certain events have affected Weezie.

Writing a Persuasive Letter

W3.1 W4.1 W5.1In Chapter 23, “Getaway,” Roy says: “Standing up to your momma . . . I’ve made up my mind to do it. Maybe you should too.” (p. 158). Do you agree with Roy that Weezie should stand up to Momma?

Complete the letter below to Weezie from your point of view. Take a position and tell Weezie whether she should or should not stand up to Momma. Include the following in your letter:

• an introduction where you state your opinion. Make sure to take a position and state whether or not Weezie should stand up to Momma. • two reasons for your position. Include examples, facts, and/or details for each reason. • a concluding statement where you restate your opinion

Weezie leaves with Roy on his motorcycle.

Weezie stands up to Momma.

How does Weezie feel after her painting is selected? Use at least one specific detail from Chapter 21, “The Art Show,” in your answer.

How does Weezie feel after the art show? Use at least one specific detail from Chapter 22, “Vroom!”, in your answer.

How does Weezie feel as she rides away with Roy? Use at least one specific detail from Chapter 23, “Getaway,” in your answer.

How does Weezie feel after she stands up to Momma for the first time? Use at least one specific detail from Chapter 24, “The Truth,” in your answer.

Momma doesn’t come to the art show.

Weezie’s painting is chosen for the art show.

Dear Weezie, ____________________ (Date)

I think you . . .

One reason I think this is . . .

Another reason I think . . .

In conclusion, I really believe that you should . . .

Sincerely,

_______________________________ (your name)



Examining the Plot

RL3.1 RL4.1 RL5.1

1. What is the emergency in Chapter 26, “Emergency!”?

2. Why did Mrs. Holcomb let Marmalade leave?

3. How does Weezie feel when she learns the name of her father and the town he was from? Include a passage from the book to show how Weezie feels.

4. Who is Flora Nealy? What does she tell Weezie that shocks Weezie?


RL3.3 RL4.3

In each puzzle piece, add a piece of information that Weezie learns about the identity of her father.



Static Versus Dynamic Characters

RL3.3 RL4.3 RL5.3

A dynamic character grows, changes, and learns about herself during the course of a novel. A static character remains pretty much the same, and does not experience personal growth. Consider the following characters and determine whether you think they are static or dynamic characters. Then include a detail or example from the novel to justify your response.

Character Static or Dynamic Justification

Weezie

Roy

Momma

Marmalade

Louella

Calvin



Examining the Plot

RL3.1 RL3.4 RL4.1 RL4.4 RL5.1 RL5.4

1. Use three adjectives to describe Flora Nealy.

2. Copy a passage from Chapter 32, “A Regular Cat,” that shows that Weezie has accepted that she will never tame Marmalade.

3. Draw a sketch of Weezie’s sculpture collage of Gramma Emmeline.

4. Explain the simile of Momma being like a turtle from Chapter 34, “No More Lies.”

Exploring Theme

RL3.2 RL4.2 RL5.2

1. Choose one of the themes from The Missing Pieces of Me from the box below OR come up with one of your own.

•loneliness •family •acceptance •friendship •determination•standingupforoneself •perseverance •self-respect •overcomingchallenges

2. Now think of a scene which exemplifies this theme. For example, if you’ve chosen friendship, you would want to find a scene in the book that shows Weezie coming to understand the importance of a friend in her life. Draw the scene below.

3. Find a passage from that scene that relates to the theme. Copy the passage below. Then, in 1–2 sentences explain how it illustrates the theme you’ve chosen.

Passage from book: page #_____________

How does this passage illustrate your theme?


Examining the Structure of a Novel

RL3.5 RL4.2 RL5.2 RL5.5

Now that you have finished The Missing Pieces of Me, consider how the author structured the novel. First, put the main events of the novel in order by numbering each event below in the order it occurred. For example, you would write the number one by the event that happened first.

Weezie accepts that Marmalade will never be tamed.

Weezie meets Marmalade and tries to tame her. Louella and Weezie become friends.

Momma does not come to Weezie’s art show.

Weezie leaves with Roy on his motorcycle. Roy tells her to stand up to Momma.

School ends and Weezie is determined that she will take the art class.

Weezie stands up to her mother and meets Flora Nealy.

Weezie starts an investigation and begins to find out pieces about who her father was.

Weezie finds out the identity of her father. She calls her long-lost grandmother and finds out her father is dead.

Ruby Hill pesters Weezie about the identity of her daddy.

Weezie breaks Gramma Emmeline’s teapot.

Weezie stands up to her mother and meets Flora Nealy.

Weezie makes a sculpture of Gramma Emmeline and uses the pieces from her teapot.

Now, answer these questions.

1. During which of the events above does Weezie first identify the main conflict of the story?

2. Which of the events above is the climax of the story? (The climax is the point, usually near the end of the story, where the main character must confront her main problem.)

3. Which of these events is the resolution of the story?


Evaluating the Growth of a Character

RL3.3 RL4.3 RL5.3 W3.1 W4.1 W5.1

The Missing Pieces of Me opens with the line: Momma says I’m a bad girl. The book closes with the line: Momma says I’m a bad girl. But I’m not. I’m not.

1. What has Weezie learned over the course of the novel that allows her to add those last two sentences? In other words, how does she know that she isn’t a bad girl?

2. Write a letter to Momma in which you argue that Weezie is not a bad girl. Include the following in your letter:

• at least three examples from the story that clearly argue your point. Make sure to cite your example with page numbers, and explain how the example from the story shows that Weezie is not a bad girl.

• phrases like for example, “since,” “for instance,” etc. that link your reason together

• a concluding statement where you restate your opinion



In Chapter 31, “Pancake Heaven,” Weezie finally learns about her daddy. Fill in the puzzle pieces with new information about him including his childhood, family, interests, and personality.

As you have read this story, you completed puzzle pieces with information about Weezie’s daddy. Now, go back and cut out each of those puzzle pieces. Then, assemble those pieces together to form a puzzle. Glue them onto a piece of paper. Note: You will need this puzzle to complete the final, post-reading activity.

1. What is the final shape of this puzzle?

2. What is the significance of this shape to Weezie’s story and her search for her father?

3. In a short paragraph, summarize what you learn about Weezie’s dad from looking at the information you’ve included on this puzzle.


Exploring Similes

L3.5a L4.5a L5.5a

Directions: The author of The Missing Pieces of Me, Jean Van Leeuwen, uses similes to compare two unlike things and create vivid images in the minds of readers. Similes use the words “like” or “as” in their comparisons. Read the simile from the story, and then answer the following questions.

Her eyes got narrow and her eyebrows came down. Like a dark cloud before a rainstorm. (p. 4)1. In the outline, draw Weezie’s mom’s face, using as many details from these two sentences as possible.

2. What is the author comparing Weezie’s mom’s expression to?

“My legs hurt too much,” she said. They swelled up so, they looked like elephant legs to me. Her face was puffy too. It was like she was getting blown up like a balloon. (p. 8)3. What is the author comparing Weezie’s grandmother to in this passage?

4. Does this comparison help you create a better picture in your mind? Why or why not?

I wished I could remember her face. Little bits I could see, like her hair frizzed up and colored orange like a carrot. (p. 10)5. Using clues from the passage above, color in Gramma Emmeline’s hair.

6. What is Weezie’s grandma’s hair being compared to?

7. The author uses similes to describe Weezie’s classmate Ruby. Underline the similes in the passages below.

She’s scrawny as a chicken and has a pointy little nose she likes to stick into everybody’s business. (p. 14) . . . She didn’t give me a minute, just pounced like that yellow cat that’s always hanging around our trailer looking for mice. (p. 34) . . . Ruby was like a mosquito. You swat and swat at it, but it won’t go away. It keeps coming back and buzzing in your ear. (p. 102)8. After reading this passage, how might you describe Ruby’s personality?

Her words washed over me like pouring rain. I was drowning in them. (p. 58)9. What are “her words” being compared to in the passage?

10. What do you think Weezie means when she says she is “drowning” in her mother’s words?

11. What is one word to describe the mood, or feeling, of this passage?

The air went out of me like a leaky balloon. (p. 135)12. What is the author comparing Weezie’s sigh to in the passage above?

13. What might cause someone to feel like a “leaky balloon?” Is this a good feeling or a bad one?

Flora Nealy didn’t look like a flower. More like one of those skinny weeds that grow by the side of the road. (p. 203)14. What is Flora Nealy being compared to in the passage above?

15. Is this a positive description or a negative one? Why?


Investigating Verb Tenses: How Do Authors Show Time?

L3.13 L4.1b L5.1bVerbs are words that show action (such as run or giggle) or just a state of being (such as is or are). Every sentence must have a verb.The tense of the verb indicates time. Verbs can show action in the past, present, or future. They can also show whether an action is continuing or is already completed.

1. The author of The Missing Pieces of Me chose to tell Weezie’s story in past tense. Look at these sentences from the story. Underline the verb in each sentence.

Jackson scooted over on his backside. (p. 3)I picked up the bag to put away the groceries. (p. 4)Her face was round, not puffy round like at the end . . . (p. 10)

Because this story is in past tense, what do we know about all of the actions that take place in this story?

2. Sometimes, however, an author will use other verb tenses in order to show changing time in a story. Reread this sentence from The Missing Pieces of Me.

Momma says I’m a bad girl. (p. 1)Underline the verb in this sentence. What tense is it—past, present, or future?This is the first sentence of the entire book. Why do you think the author might have chosen to make it a different tense than the rest of the book?

3. Reread this sentence from The Missing Pieces of Me.I was talking too much. (p. 4)

This verb tense—was talking—is called the progressive tense. It is used to show action that is continuing. Read this sentence:Likely she was getting one of her bad headaches. (p. 4)

Underline the progressive verb phrase in this sentence. How can you tell this is the progressive tense?

4. Finally, an author might use the perfect tense to show that an action started in the past has been completed, or that an action started in the past is still continuing. The perfect tense is formed by adding have, has, or had to a past tense verb. Can you underline the past perfect verb phrase in the sentence below?

My plan had worked pretty well. (p. 76)In this sentence, is Weezie’s action completed or still continuing?

Verb Tense Practice:Directions: Underline the verb or verb phrase in each sentence. Then, write its tense in the blank. You might write: past, present, future,

progressive, or perfect.

1. _________________ She was smiling at me. (p. 10)

2. _________________ She catches me in her arms and lifts me up high. (p. 27)

3. _________________ Ruth Ann was starting to whine. (p. 29)

4. _________________ Louella walked out the door with me. (p. 79)

5. _________________ This will be fun! (p. 92)

6. _________________ Calvin was pedaling hard like always. . . . (p. 104)

7. _________________ . . . [J]ust a jumble of things Momma had saved for some reason. (p. 129)

8. _________________ “Your hair looks nice.” (p. 64)

9. _________________ Louella was waiting inside the door. (p. 91)

10. _________________ Louella had told a lie! (p. 182)


Let Your Imagination Run Wild Day

Teacher Directions

W3.10 W4.10 W5.10 SL3.1 SL4.1 SL5.1

Near the end of this novel, Ms. Martinelli, the art teacher, encourages students to make something out of whatever materials she has left over from the year’s projects. Have your students recreate this assignment.

1. Before class, gather together a variety of materials including (but not limited to):

• Construction paper

• Magazines

• Old calendars

• Clay

• Jumbo craft sticks

• Ribbons, buttons, and pipe cleaners

• Food wrappers and soda cans

• Wrapping paper

• Glue, scissors, markers, and tape

2. As a class, reread pages 214–219, the chapter entitled, “Pieces of Gramma.” Discuss the following:

• What is a collage?

• What different materials did Weezie use to make Gramma Emmeline?

• Do you think it was important to get every detail of her grandma exactly right? Why or why not?

• What are some lessons that Weezie learned from Ms. Martinelli about art?

3. Have your students look back at their pre-reading activity, where they identified different aspects or pieces of their life that were important to them. Tell them that they should choose ONE piece of themselves and try to create it visually using the materials you’ve provided.

4. Once students have designed their projects, have them write a short paragraph that explains what they’ve created. Their paragraphs should include:

• a topic sentence that identifies what they’ve created

• 1–2 sentences that explain why this object is important to them

• 1–2 sentences about how they created it and what materials they chose and why

5. Consider having students present their creations either to the class or in pairs that you rotate through, so each student gets to share to every other student.


Post-reading Activity: Who is Weezie?

RL3.3 RL4.3 RL5.2 W4.9a W5.9a

For this activity, you will need the puzzle you assembled about Weezie’s dad. You will also need to complete the following tasks.

Task 1: Read the passages below. As you read, think about what they reveal about how Weezie has changed throughout this story.

I know cats don’t do what they’re told. Specially cats like this one . . . And it always acted like a big-shot, strutting around with its head held high like it owned the place. I liked that. The way it just did what it wanted, roaming free. In a crazy way, I kind of wished I was the cat. (p. 63)

I couldn’t stop smiling. Ms. Martinelli had picked my picture! It was going to be up in the front hall where everyone would see it. I felt like turning cartwheels, which I really didn’t know how to do. . . . Nothing of mine had ever been extra-special before. (p. 138)

I’d won. I felt light all over. I did it, Roy! I thought. I’d stood up to Momma. (p. 202)

But he wasn’t a regular cat. He never would be . . . he was too wild. And not about to let himself be tamed or owned by anyone. That was okay, I thought. We could still be friends. I liked how tough he was, how he took care of himself and didn’t need anyone. (p. 212)

I really, really wanted to go to that art class. Momma would say it was a waste of time . . . but I’d make her change her mind. I’d stood up to her about seeing Flora Neely, and I could do it again. (p. 221)

What would Momma say when she saw it?? Maybe she’d frown the way she always did about my art. . . . Or maybe . . . she might like it. And maybe, I realized suddenly, I didn’t care if she liked it or not. Because I did like it. (p. 222)

Momma was like that, too. Hiding in her shell, holding onto her hates . . . That minute I decided something. I wasn’t going to hate my daddy. . . . I didn’t want to be like Momma, filled up with hating. (p. 223)

It felt good to be finally telling the truth. Clean, like after a bath. Telling those lies always made me feel squirmy inside, as if bugs were running around my stomach. (p. 225)

Yes, it was too bad. Too bad about Momma being the way she was . . . I had other people, though. Like Louella. And her momma and daddy. And Calvin. And Ms. Martinelli and Mrs. Holcomb. And Gramma Emmeline. (p. 225)

Momma says I’m a bad girl. But I’m not. (p. 226)


Post-reading Activity: Who is Weezie?

Now, in each puzzle piece below, write something Weezie learned about herself in this novel. For example you might write: “She is good at art,” or “She doesn’t want to be like her momma.”

[ART: please insert 5-6 puzzles pieces that, when cut out and reassembled will create a teapot similar to the one described on page 4. ]

Task 2:Cut out each puzzle piece above. Assemble the pieces together to form a puzzle. Glue it together on a blank sheet of paper.

1. What is the shape of this puzzle?

2. What is the significance of this shape to Weezie’s story?

Task 3:Using the information in the two puzzles you’ve created, plus what you’ve learned about Weezie from reading The Missing Pieces of Me, write an essay on a separate sheet of paper that supports this statement:

In the search for her father, Weezie discovered many things about herself.

Your essay must:

• begin with the statement above.

• include at least three examples from the story that support the opening statement. Each example should include a detail or quota-tion from the book. Make sure you explain how each example shows how Weezie discovered something new about herself.

• end with a concluding sentence that summarizes how Weezie changed or grew.

• be written neatly or typed and be free of grammatical and spelling errors.


Teacher’s Guide

This guide was created by Erin Fry and Nicole Boylan, and designed by Jennifer Messinger.

Do you have questions or feedback for Amazon Children’s Publishing? Email us at: [email protected]

Click on the Common Core Guides Below for More Classroom Fun!

Expanding Vocabulary: Magic Squares Answer Key (from page 3)

A = 8 B = 11 C = 13 D = 2

E = 1 F = 14 G = 12 H = 7

I = 10 J = 5 K = 3 L = 16

M = 15 N = 4 O = 6 P = 9

http://bit.ly/1pnGPhW

http://bit.ly/17TL3Hh

http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/kindle/merch/ACP/Poem_TWNE_student_guide._V320865256_.pdf

http://bit.ly/HPnH9z

http://bit.ly/1is0IMY

http://bit.ly/JYkV2R

Teacher’s Guideg-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/kindle/merch/ACP/The... · 2015-12-17 · On...

Documents

Transcript of Teacher’s Guideg-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/kindle/merch/ACP/The... · 2015-12-17 · On...