The Schwa Was Here
Chapters 7 – 12
1. Summarize chapter 7. Include:
a. Characters, Setting, Problem/conflict/situation, Plot events – what happens to whom?
b. Complete the following statement: One important point/idea is ___________________. It is important
because ________________________.
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2. Complete the following statements (chapters 7 &8):
a. To gain attention from Ira and Howie, the Schwa breaks ________________________.
b. Mr. Crawley has a special punishment for Ansty; he needs to __________________________.
c. Not knowing what to expect when he shows up at Crawley’s on Saturday morning, Antsy’s mom notices
that Antsy looks different. How? __________________________________________________________
d. In order to “see” Antsy, Lexie ________________________ his face.
e. The Schwa shows up. He is excited because Lexie _______________________ him.
f. Antsy is jealous of The Schwa, and to send him away from his time with Lexie, makes Calvin
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3. Agree or disagree with the two following decisions Calvin and Antsy makes.
a. Breaking the disc in half (77-78)
b. Making Calvin walk the dogs so he could eat alone with Lexie (88-90)
Include specific reasons. Include good writing. Use the following as an example:
I agree that Calvin should have destroyed the disc. Howie and Ira were ________________. More
importantly, Calvin felt ___________________. Because of his emotions, Calvin, who still feels invisible and
unwanted, has the right to __________________________.
4. Chapters 10 & 11
a. Anthony tells his parents, during their fight, that his ______________________ makes better food.
b. Antsy shows up to walk the dogs and finds Mr. Crawley ___________________________________.
c. ______________________________ goes with Crawley in the ambulance.
d. Mr. Crawley doesn’t want his son to put him in a __________________________ home.
e. In order for the blind kids, at Lexie’s school, to find their cars, the cars have unique _________________.
f.
Lexie wants Antsy to ask her out on a date. Antsy asks her to dinner, but she wants to go ___________.
5. Why is it so important for the Schwa to feel (111) that someone likes him?
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6. Explain the following symbols:
a. Paper clip (107/108)
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b. Manny (113)
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7. Quote Study:
a. “don’t let them leave me alone” (118) – Crawley. What does Crawley mean? How does this develop his
character (what does it show about him)?
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b. “‘I mean, it’s like we all get our raw materials from our families—but it’s up to us whether we build
bridges or bombs’” (129) – Explain what Antsy means here. Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not?
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c. “…Lexie had a bit of her grandfather in her….She could wrap the world around her finger like a yo-yo
string and play with it to her heart’s content.” Does the simile help the reader understand Lexie more?
Why or why not?
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8. Cause and Effect. Explore the cause and effect relationships below.
EXAMPLE: EVENT: Lexie tells Antsy that he should “walk the dogs, and Calvin should be [her] escort” (102).
CAUSES – Antsy to be hurt, feel unnoticed/wanted/unfelt. He tells the truth during his parents’ fight. WHICH
EFFECTS – his whole family because his mom leaves for the night and makes Antsy to not feel even more
alone—he eats lunch by himself.
a. EVENT: Antsy tells the truth about food .
CAUSES:
Which Effects:
b. EVENT: Lexie doesn’t want Antsy to be her escort.
CAUSES: (at it relates to Calvin)
Which Effects:
c. EVENT: Antsy goes to the blind school to chat with Lexie
CAUSES:
Which Effects: