The Outsiders
Student Worksheets
S.E. Hinton
Lesson:
Assignment:
Due
Notes:
Date:
1 Main focus of the unit:
-conflict
-point of view
-characterization
-figurative language
-theme
-plot
-vocabulary
2
S.E. Hinton
 read about the author and answer
questions
 listen to the letter to fans
2 Classes
3
Vocabulary
Project 1
Project 1
 vocabulary sheet: one word to
each student. Each day 2 students
will write a definition on the board
that all students can understanduse correct spelling etc. Students
then copy on to their sheet for
studying.
 short skit i.e. 30 seconds to
illustrate the word.
3
Chapter 1
2 Classes
Questions:
Read page 1 to 18 in The Outsiders.
Answer the questions below.
1. Who is telling the story? (i.e. who’s point of view)
2. What are advantages and disadvantages of using this point of view.
Lawrence Grassi Middle School – Grade Eight
Student Worksheets
3. How has S.E. Hinton tried to capture the reader’s attention in the
first chapter?
4
Character
chart
Project 2
Fill in the character chart to keep track of all important characters.
5
Chapter 2
p. 19-36
2 Classes
Read page 19 to 36 in The Outsiders.
Answer the questions below.
Questions:
1.
What is an idiom? Give an example.
2. Ponyboy and Dallas are shocked when Johnny orders Dallas to leave
Cherry alone. What motivates Johnny to give the order? Why does Dally
obey him?
3. What qualities of Darry’s and Ponyboy’s cause them to get into conflict
with one another?
6
Chapter 3
p. 37-52
2 Classes
Questions
Read page 37 to 52 in The Outsiders.
Answer the questions below.
1. What does Ponyboy learn from his talk with Cherry?
2. Why does Ponyboy run away when Darry slaps him?
7
Chapter 4
p. 53-67
2 Classes
Questions
Read pages 53 to 67 in The Outsiders.
Answer the questions below.
3. What details and earlier events make Bob’s murder believable?
4. Explain why it is ironic that Johnny and Ponyboy are the two greasers
involved in a murder?
Lawrence Grassi Middle School – Grade Eight
Student Worksheets
8
Project 3
3 Classes
9
Chapter 5
p. 68-84
2 Classes
Project 3
 Character Sketch Assignment
Create a new character for the
Outsiders and then write a short event
that would fit somewhere into the
novel
Read pages 68 to 84 in The Outsiders.
Answer the questions below.
1. Johnny compares Dally to a southern gentleman. How does Johnny
defend this comparison?
2. Re-read the poem by Robert Frost on page 69. Try to explain what it
means. You might need to read Johnny`s comments about the sunrise
to help you figure it out.
10
Chapter 6
p. 85-99
2 Classes
Questions
Read pages 85 to 99 in The Outsiders.
Answer the questions below.
1. Johnny informs Dally that he and Ponyboy are turning themselves in.
What are Johnny`s reasons?
2. Why does Darry`s crying have such a profound effect on Ponyboy?
11
Chapter 7
p. 100-118
2 Classes
Questions
Read pages 100 to 118 in The Outsiders.
Answer the questions below.
1. What important insight did Ponyboy gain from his talk with Randy?
Lawrence Grassi Middle School – Grade Eight
Student Worksheets
12
Chapter 8
p.119-130
2 Classes
Questions
Read pages 119 to 130 in The Outsiders.
Answer the questions below.
1. What does Ponyboy learn from his talk with Cherry?
2. Ponyboy says that the gang needs Johnny just as much as Johnny
needs the gang. What is it that the gang gets from Johnny? What
does Johnny get from them?
3. Ponyboy says his mom was beautiful and golden. However, most of the
characters in the book are not so lucky. Tell what kind of parents the
following kids had and how it affected them ---Johnny, Bob, Dally.
13
Chapter 9
p.131-149
2 Classes
Questions
Read pages 131 to 149 in The Outsiders.
Answer the questions below.
1. By chapter 9 Darry is becoming a more rounded character. Describe
his motivations and personality.
2. Before the rumble begins, Ponyboy says that he doesn`t hate the
Socs anymore. Why then, does he proceed to attack the Socs and not
just defend himself?
14
Project 4
3 Classes
Project 4
Choose one of the assignments below. Think
of yourself as a learner – which assignment
would be best for your strengths? Look
carefully at the assignment descriptions and
how they will be marked before you begin.


Write a song or poem.
Create a soundtrack for The
Outsiders Script and act out a
section of The Outsiders. (max. 5
minutes).
Lawrence Grassi Middle School – Grade Eight
Student Worksheets
15
Chapter 10
p.150-160
2 Classes
Question
16
Chapter 11
P.161-166
2 Classes
Question
17
Chapter 12
p.167-180
2 Classes
Questions
Read pages 150 to 160 in The Outsiders.
Answer the question below.
1. Was Johnny right? Did Dally die gallant? Defend your answer.
Read pages 161 to 166 in The Outsiders.
Answer the question below.
1. Ponyboy is having trouble facing reality. Explain.
Read pages 167 to 180 in The Outsiders.
Answer the questions below.
1. What advice does Johnny give Ponyboy in the note?
2. After threatening two Socs with a broken bottle, Ponyboy says, `I
knew as well as he did that if you got tough you didn`t get hurt.`
(bottom of p.148). Do you think that Ponyboy will `get tough`or `stay
gold`? Give evidence from the story to support your opinion.
18
Project 5
5 Classes
Project 5
Essay
Write a short essay giving your
opinion about the book.
12
The Outsiders unit test.
1 Class
Lawrence Grassi Middle School – Grade Eight