Seventh Grade
by Gary Soto
Name________________________________________ Period_____
BEFORE READING QUESTION
All of us have times when we’re eager to make a good impression- to win the approval of
parents, teachers or friends. But influencing how others see us isn’t always easy.
What tips have you heard about how to make a good impression? Create a list of the
suggestions you think are most effective.
How to make a good impression:
1. Stand up straight.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Why may someone want to make a good impression?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
It’s natural to want people to like you. Explain if it is ever right to pretend to know more
than you do.
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
In “Seventh Grade,” a boy finds that trying to make a good impression can
lead to some embarrassing moments. Can you think of a time where you
may have been embarrassed in school? Write a few sentences in your
journal about your experience.
2
VOCABULARY
Directions: Using the PowerPoint, write the definition and part of speech of each
vocabulary word.
Vocabulary Word
Definition
quiver
linger
portly
ferocity
sheepishly
unison
3
SEVENTH GRADE
Vocabulary Practice
quiver
linger
portly
ferocity
sheepishly
unison
A. Use context clues to determine which word from the box best completes the sentence.
Write the word in the space provided.
1. The football coach said the team needed ____________________ and complete
commitment to win.
2. Knowing that Teresa was nearby, Victor would ____________________ in the
hallway instead of going straight to class.
3. When Michael scowled, his upper lip would ____________________ slightly,
although the rest of his face was did not move.
4. The student raised her hand confidently, but when she realized she did not know the
answer, she put it down ____________________.
5. Mr. Lucas was a ____________________ man, but he was light on his feet.
6. The speech was unclear when Michael and Teresa spoke in ____________________,
so they decided to speak one at a time.
B. For each word in the first column, find a word or phrase in the second column that has
the opposite meaning. Write the letter of that phrase on the line.
____ 1. ferocity
A. separately
____ 2. linger
B. hurry away
____ 3. portly
C. boldly
____ 4. quiver
D. gentleness
____ 5. sheepishly
E. stay still
____ 6. unison F. slim
C. Write a paragraph in your journal about what things were like for you during your first
few days of seventh grade. Include at least three vocabulary words. You must have at
least 5 complete sentences.
4
Name _______________________________________ Date _____________________
SEVENTH GRADE
Literary Analysis
PLOT
A plot is what happens in a story. Look for these parts of a plot:
• The exposition introduces the characters and setting and often the conflict, or
struggle between forces.
• Rising action shows how the conflict gets more complicated.
• The climax is the moment of greatest interest.
• Falling action and resolution show the outcome.
Directions: Make a list of the most important events in the story. Then plot the events on
the diagram that follows.
1.
Victor gets his class schedule, which includes French class.
2.
____________________________________________________________
3.
____________________________________________________________
4.
____________________________________________________________
5.
____________________________________________________________
6.
____________________________________________________________
7.
____________________________________________________________
5
Name _______________________________________ Period ______________
SEVENTH GRADE
Reading Strategy
CONNECT
When you connect with characters in a story, you find common ground with the
characters by relating your knowledge and experiences with theirs.
Directions: As you read, use this chart to help you make connections. Note events and
details from the story. Then describe these events relate to your own experiences. The
example shows how one student connected to the story. Your own connection to the same
event might be different.
What’s Happening in the Story
Victor waits half an hour for his class
schedule.
Connection to My Life
I had to wait even longer than that on the
first day of school last year.
6
SEVENTH GRADE
Literary Analysis: Question Support
Directions: Answer each question.
1. Recall What is the main reason Victor wants to take French?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. Recall How does Victor respond when Teresa talks to him after homeroom?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. Summarize Explain the events that happen after Victor tells Mr. Bueller that he speaks
French.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
4. Connect Review the chart you completed on p.6. What is the strongest connection
you made with this story?
_______________________________________________________________
This connection helped me understand the story because _________________
_______________________________________________________________
.
5. Compare and Contrast Write M next to the things that only Michael does. Write V
next to the things only Victor does. Write B next to the things that both Michael and
Victor do.
___ a. scowls all the time
___ c. pretends he can speak French
___ b. tries to impress other people ___ d. worries about what others think
How do Michael and Victor’s efforts give the story tension- and humor?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
7
6. Make Inferences Mr. Bueller knows that Victor cannot speak French, but he does not
say anything. Write X next to the statement that best explains why Mr. Bueller keeps the
truth to himself.
___ a. He is so angry with Victor he cannot speak at this time.
___ b. He is planning to embarrass Victor later in the school year.
___ c. He knows why Victor is faking and sympathizes with Victor.
7. Analyze Plot Complete the following sentences. You may refer to your plot chart.
In the exposition, I learned that _____________________________________
.
Two things that happen during the rising action are ____________________
_______________________________________________________________
.
The climax of the story happens when _______________________________
_______________________________________________________________
.
During the falling action, _________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
The resolution occurs when _______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________ .
8. Make Judgments Victor wants to impress Teresa. He finally does impress her at the
end of the story. However, her good impression of him is based on something that isn’t
true. Underline a word or phrase in parentheses, and then complete the following
sentence.
I ( think/ do not think) a good impression should always be based on the truth because
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
8
.
Name__________________________
Period_____
“Seventh Grade” by Gary Soto
Figurative Language
Figurative language is language that is not intended to be understood in a strict
literal sense. Many everyday expressions are figurative. When you ask someone “to lend
a hand”, you are speaking figuratively. You are asking for that person’s help. When
used imaginatively, figurative language adds a dimension of meaning to speech or
writing.
The term figure of speech is often used for a specific kind figurative language.
Two common figures of speech are simile and metaphor. A simile uses “like” or “as” to
express a comparison between two different things. A metaphor compares two unlike
items or events without the use of like or as.
Example:
The bell rang for first period, and the students herded noisily through the door.
(page 14)
Simile or metaphor? _________________________________
Explain the comparison __________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Example:
The rosebushes of shame on his face became bouquets of love.
Simile or metaphor? _________________________________
Explain the comparison __________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
9
Your assignment:
Directions: Find two more examples of similes or metaphors in our story “Seventh
Grade”. Copy the complete sentence. Explain the comparison the author intends.
1.
Copy the sentence___________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Explain the comparison ______________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Identify the type____________________________________________________
2.
Copy the sentence___________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Explain the comparison ______________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Identify the type____________________________________________________
10