TKAM Chapter 5: “That was when I supposed Jem and I first began to part…”
1. Miss Maudie is described as a “reasonable” woman. Describe and discuss three
ways she is reasonable. Consider such things as her treatment of children,
opinions on gossip, dealing with ignorance, views of the Radley family, views on
religious fanatics, and admiration of Atticus.
2. Atticus confronts the children on the Boo Radley problem. Describe how he
handles it like a lawyer, and explain how this makes Jem feel and why.
3. Research the bird called a finch. List three facts about finches, and explain why
you think Harper Lee chose finch as Atticus’ last name.
4. In past history, a man named Atticus was a Roman scholar. His judgment was so
honored that even Cicero submitted work to him for correction and criticism.
Make some connections between what Atticus Finch says and how he behaves
and the historical figure of Atticus the Roman. Then speculate on why Harper
Lee may have chosen the name for Mr. Finch.
TKAM CHAPTER 6 IS ON PAGE 2.
TKAM Chapter 7: “As Atticus had once advised me to do, I tried to climb around
into Jem’s skin and walk around in it.”
1. Create a T chart and comparing Nathan Radley to Boo Radley.
2. What does Jem tell Scout about his return from the Radley house?
3. What happened to make Jem cry about the Radley family? How do you feel about
the whole situation? What is your opinion about Boo at this time? About Nathan?
4. Why doesn’t Scout understand why Jem is crying?
TKAM Chapter 8: “…the coldest weather since 1885.”
1. Why doesn’t Atticus help carry out Maudie’s furniture?
2. When Scout comes home with the mysterious blanket wrapped around her
shoulders, “Jem seemed to have lost his mind. He began pouring out our secrets
right and left…” What is it that Jem is trying to get Atticus to understand?
3. Given what you know of Miss Maudie, explain her reaction to the loss of her house.
TKAM Chapter 9: “… the beginning of a rather thin time for Jem and me.”
1. Who is Tom Robinson?
2. Look closely at the reasons Atticus gives Scout for defending Tom Robinson.
Also, look at his statement, “every lawyer gets at least one case in his lifetime that
affects him personally. This one’s mine, I guess.” What is it about this case that
strikes so deeply at what Atticus believes?
3. Compare Scout’s reasons for walking away from schoolyard fights with Jem’s
reasons for returning to the Radley’s to get his pants. How are the two situations
similar and different? (question 4 on the next page)
4. What lesson does Scout teach Uncle Jack about children, and what further lesson
does Atticus add? What element do the two lessons have in common? Consider
whether you agree with both lessons and be ready to defend your opinion.
(Page 1)
TKAM Chapter 6: Fill in these four squares thoughtfully and thoroughly!
Describe the children’s childhood prank
List two acts of courage Jem performs.
and explain how the prank turns out.
Then, list two ways Jem’s changing:
describe his behavior in two specific
events and explain what kind of change
this shows.
Make a list of six things Scout has learned
in the first 6 chapters.
(Page 2)
The reader stays home with Scout while
Jem goes off to do his exciting deed.
Speculate: Why did Harper Lee write the
scene this way instead of having Scout go
with Jem.
To Kill a Mockingbird Chapters 10 and 11 questions to be answered thoughtfully and
thoroughly  Your brain thanks you! It needs the exercise. 
Chapter 10 questions:
“Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a
mockingbird.”
Right There Question
1. In Scout’s eyes, what is Atticus’ chief fault?
Inference /Author and You Questions
2. Why is it a sin to kill a mockingbird? What is the larger principle involved here?
3. Consider vision symbols in the opening scene of this chapter and the shooting
scene. Write a comment on your observations. You may want to consider the
following questions: When does Atticus see well? What reason(s) can you think
of that Harper Lee might have had for him break his glasses in the dog scene?
4. Miss Maudie says, “I think maybe he put his gun down when he realized God had
given him an unfair advantage over most living things. I guess he decided he
wouldn’t shoot till he had to, and he had to today.” What other advantages does
Atticus have? Does he use them when he doesn’t “have to”? Do you think it’s
civilized to deny your gifts?
Chapter 11 questions:
“I wanted to see what courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man
with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you
begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.”
Right There Question
1. Which two specific comments from Mrs. Dubose infuriate Jem to the point that he
can’t control his temper?
Inference/ Author and You Questions
2. What type of courage does Mrs. Dubose teach the children? What other events in
the novel can you compare and contrast to this courage?
3. Why doesn’t Atticus tell the children about Mrs. Dubose’s motives before her
death? How might Jem have behaved if he had known- and what would he have
failed to learn as a result?
**Calendar for next week: Monday, March 24, chp. 5, 6 due
Tuesday, March 25, chp. 7, 8 due
Wednesday, March 26, chp. 9 due
Thursday, March 27, chp. 10, 11 due
Friday, March 28, Quiz on chp. 1-11 and vocab. 5
(Page 3)