Each month we will explore a different literary genre. Students will be
required to do outside reading at their recommended SRI level for this
monthly assignment. This reading will be in addition to regular homework
assignments.
Students should read 30 minutes nightly to prepare for their weekly
Literacy Letter. The Literacy Letter, a two-paragraph personal letter about
their book, replaces the monthly book report or book talk. We have been
working together on the first literacy letter, which focuses on the
reading/writing strategy of summarizing. For Nov. 13, the Literacy Letter
will be about setting.
The letters are part of a new competency assessment, along with regular
computerized FOCUS testing, on language arts strands. These assessments are
not part of a student's letter grade but serve as a benchmark to ensure that
each boy/girl is keeping up with the curriculum. These assessments help me
create individualized learning strategies for students and provide ongoing
progress monitoring.
A Christmas Carol Project - Due Wednesday, Dec.16
“A CHRISTMAS CAROL” COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
CHOOSE 7 to ANSWER . USE COMPLETE SENTENCES.
(If you wish to add illustrations, a recipe, a short research paper on
Victorian traditions, a song or a period dance to your report, you may
substitute your artform for two questions.The deadline for the seven
questions or five questions and an art submission is Dec. 16!)
1. What clues in the stage directions indicate that the story takes place in
England, 1873?
2. List the main characters in the story and their relationship with Scrooge.
3. Explain how Scrooge's lifestyle is inconsistent with his wealth.
4. Who is Marley? What is Marley's relationship to Scrooge?
5. What is Marley's purpose in the story?
6. List several ways that Marley and Scrooge are alike. List several ways in
which Marley and Scrooge are different. (KWL chart is okay)
7. Using complete sentences, carefully describe the appearances of each
spirit. (Add illustrations, if you wish.)
8. What physical change took place in the Spirit of Christmas Present from
when he first appears in the story to when he leaves?
9. The Spirit of Christmas Present and Scrooge visit Bob Cratchit's home.
Using complete sentences and specific details, describe the home, the
children, and the dinner.
10. Why is the Spirit of Christmas Present a stranger to Scrooge?
11. Bob Cratchit offers a Christmas toast in Scrooge's honor. Mrs. Cratchit's
feelings about Scrooge are different from her husband's. What would cause
this difference in their feelings?
12. Analyze the lessons that Scrooge learns from each spirit.
13. Which spirit was the most frightening to Scrooge? Why?
14. Which spirit had the greatest effect on Scrooge? Why?
15. Scrooge says, "I am not the man I was." What does he mean? What causes
the change?
16. Explain why the visions of the future would convince Scrooge to alter his
life.
17. At the end of Scene V, Scrooge promises to honor Christmas all year. How
does Scrooge see this promise as a way to alter his present life?
18. Describe the physical and emotional changes that took place in Scrooge by
the end of the story.
19. How does Scrooge show he is sincere about his promise to keep Christmas
all year?
20. Predict what Scrooge's future life will be like.
21. At the beginning of Scene 6, Scrooge is happy that the "time" before him
is his own. Why would time be so important to Scrooge?
22. Explain the new feelings Scrooge has for the door knocker.