Welcome to our novel unit!
We are reading Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary. It is realistic
fiction, and it is written in letter format. It's about a young boy named Leigh
Botts and his favorite author as they correspond over a period of several
years. Some interesting changes happen along the way, as Leigh deals with lifes
ups and downs, and figures out the world around him. A fun read for all levels.
This is an AR book (AR Quiz No. 24 Fiction – Reading Level: 4.9 - AR Pts: 3.0)
and you can test on it when we are done. We will do the reading here at school.
We will discuss the reading and answer questions in your Writer's notebook, as
you respond to the text.
You must always have your writer's notebook when you come to class. The texts
will also stay in school, as we have a limited number of them to share. Some of
them are very dog-eared, and must be handled with care.
Look on this site for vocabulary, comprehension questions, activities and links
for more fun as you read!
Section 1 - From pages 1 - 15
amuse
diorama
Vocabulary:
autographed duplicated disgusted
1. What does Leigh want to be when he grows up? Where does Leigh live?
2. Why doesn't he like where he lives?
3. On p. 10, what made Leigh mad?
4. On p. 12, Leigh is upset. Why?
5. On p. 12, Leigh said, "If my dad was here, he would tell you to go climb a tree."
What does Leigh mean when he says this?
6. What is an idiom? Use the online dictionary to define.
Section 2 Questions and Activities
The answers for these questions can be bound from pages 16 and 22.
Vocabulary
cab-over job big rig flatbeds refrigerated vans
gondolas duplex hitch halyard writer's cramp
1. In what town does Leigh live? Where is this town located?
2. Leigh’s dad has a difficult job. What is his occupation?
3. Draw a diagram of Leigh’s neighborhood. Use pages 20-22 to make sure
that you include all the different places in his neighborhood. Label all the
places that you drew. Make sure to draw a compass rose in the top right
hand corner of your diagram.
Section 3: Questions and Activities
The answers to these questions can be found between pages 23 and 39.
1.
Use a dictionary or the online dictionary, found in the resources section
of the webquest, to define the words canapé (page 32), quiche (page 32),
and custodian (page 26)?
2.
Where does Mr. Henshaw live? On the map of the United States, found in
the appendix, draw a picture of a book to mark the place where he lives.
3.
Read all about the flag of California on the worksheet that follows. Color
the flag and answer the questions.
4.
Write your own diary entry for today. Use the worksheet follows this
section. Make sure to include the date just like Leigh does.
5.
After reading this section, how do you think Leigh feels about Mr.
Henshaw?
6.
On page 28, what does Leigh mean when he says, “hail like golf balls”? Use
the online dictionary to define the word simile.
7.
On page 24, what does the phrase writer’s cramp mean?
http://www.lizardpoint.com/fun/geoquiz/usaquiz.html
Nifty Fifty states quiz is above
http://www.quia.com/pop/7318.html
friendly letter game above
http://www.quia.com/jw/2696.html?AP_rand=1042940861
vocabulary game link above – unscramble the words pages 1 – 37
http://www.quia.com/jw/2698.html
vocabulary game link above– unscramble the words pages 39 – 107
http://www.quia.com/quiz/104269.html?AP_rand=2077140799
quiz above
http://www.globio.org/glossopedia/article.aspx?art_id=23
Bears link is above
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/animal-inquiry/
RWT link to create a bears report is above
http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/instructor/monarchs.htm
scholastic link to butterflies is above
http://www.thinkingfountain.org/n/nowyouseeit/nowyouseeit.html
butterfly optical illusion activity is above
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/idioms/index.html
RWT activity on idioms
http://www.funbrain.com/idioms/index.html
funbrain idioms activity site is above
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/trading_cards/
RWT trading card activity is above
http://www.stmschoolpa.com/images/sce/Webquests/third%20grade%20web%
20quest/activities/character%20puppet.pdf
character puppet activity link is above
Dear Mr. Henshaw
Section 4: Questions and Activities
The answers to these questions can be found between pages 36 and 48.
1.
Describe Leigh’s Christmas present.
2.
On page 40, Leigh writes a pseudonym on his lunch. Use a dictionary or the
online dictionary, found under the resources section of the webquest, to
find out what a pseudonym is?
3.
At this point in the story, where is Leigh’s dad?
4.
Throughout the story, you will trace Leigh’s father’s journey across the
country using the United States map found in the appendix. Draw a
picture of a truck to label the place where his dad is waiting for a load of
potatoes. (This was the answer to question #3)
5.
On page 48, what does Mr. Fridley mean when he says, “cheer up, Leigh, or
you’ll trip over your lower lip”? What is the phrase an example of?
From Daventport ES, Lenoir, NC
http://sc.caldwellschools.com/education/components/board/default.php?sectiondetailid=54891