Ms. Gips’ Class

Bridge to Terabithia

Student Literature Guide

Name: ______________________

Tuesday, January 18 th , 2010- Chapter One- Jesse Oliver Aarons, Jr.

New Vocabulary:

soothingly: ___________________________________________________________________________________

droopy: ______________________________________________________________________________________

puny: ________________________________________________________________________________________

primly: ______________________________________________________________________________________

discarded: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Reading Objective: Identify the fiction genre.Reading Strategy Focus: use information from the text to make inferences

and draw conclusions.What is fiction?

What are some characteristics of fiction texts?

Use your book to cite page numbers and support your inferences or answers.

1. Why is Jess wearing neither shirt nor shoes?

2. Why has he gotten up early every morning in the summer?

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Independent Reading Work for Tuesday

Use three new vocabulary words in a complete sentence. Circle the new word.

1. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Reading Objective: Identify the fiction genre.Reading Strategy Focus: use information from the text to make inferences

and draw conclusions.

Use your book to cite page numbers and support your inferences or answers.

1. Why does Jess like May Belle?

2. Who is Miss Bessie?

3. Why would Jess prefer that May Belle tell their father about how well he runs?

4. What news does May Belle share with Jess in the bean patch?

 

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Wednesday, January 19 th : Chapter Two--Leslie Burke

New Vocabulary:

Scalding: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Tremble: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Pudgy: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Shuddered: __________________________________________________________________________________

Endure: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Reading Objective: Identify foreshadowing and use it to make predictions.Reading Strategy Focus: use information from the text to make inferences

and draw conclusions.

Use your book to cite page numbers and support your inferences or answers.

1. What is foreshadowing and how can it help us as readers?

 

2. What foreshadowing can you find at the end of chapter 2?

 

3. How did Jess' father react when his son told him that he wanted to be an artist? Why?

 

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Independent Reading Work for Wednesday

Use three new vocabulary words in a complete sentence. Circle the new word.

1. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Reading Objective: Identify foreshadowing and use it to make predictions.Reading Strategy Focus: use information from the text to make inferences

and draw conclusions.

Use your book to cite page numbers and support your inferences or answers.

How do we know Jess loves to draw?

Explain why Jess felt lonely in the house.

What was Jess' first reaction when he met Leslie Burke?

Find an example of foreshadowing in your book. How does it help you make a prediction? 

Thursday, January 20 th : Chapter Three--The Fastest Kid in the Fifth Grade

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New Vocabulary:

Retreated: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Hoarsely: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Repulsive: ____________________________________________________________________________________

quivered: ____________________________________________________________________________________

drought: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Reading Objective: Identify the elements of fiction.Reading Strategy Focus: use information from the text to make inferences

and draw conclusions.

What are the 6 elements of fiction stories?

Who are the main characters in Bridge to Terabithia?

What is the setting for Bridge to Terabithia?

Use your book to cite page numbers and support your inferences or answers.

1. Why is Gary Fulcher reluctant to let Leslie race in the finals?

2. Why does Jess sit beside May Bell on the bus?

Independent Reading Work for Thursday

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Use three new vocabulary words in a complete sentence. Circle the new word.

1. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Reading Objective: Identify the elements of fiction.Reading Strategy Focus: use information from the text to make inferences

and draw conclusions.

Identify the characters and the setting in your silent reading book. Be specific!

Use your book to cite page numbers and support your inferences or answers.

1. Who is Mr. Turner?

2. How is Leslie different from the other students?

3. Why is Mrs. Myers unhappy with her new class?

4. Why were the boys stunned at the results of Jess' heat?

Monday, January 24 th : Chapter Four--Rulers of Terabithia

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New Vocabulary:

Scowl: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Abruptly: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Regally: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Siege: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Foes: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Tyrant: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Dictator: ____________________________________________________________________________________

sacred: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Reading Objective: Identify the importance of the setting in fiction.Reading Strategy Focus: use information from the text to make inferences

and draw conclusions.

Why is the setting important in fiction stories?

What is the most important setting in Bridge to Terabithia? Why? How does it help us as readers?

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Independent Reading Work for Monday

Use three new vocabulary words in a complete sentence. Circle the new word.

1. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Reading Objective: Identify the importance of the setting in fiction.Reading Strategy Focus: use information from the text to make inferences

and draw conclusions.

Identify the setting in your silent reading book. How does it help you as a reader? What does it add to your story?

Use your book to cite page numbers and support your inferences or answers.

1. Why wasn't running fun anymore?

2. According to Leslie, what was the only way that someone would be able to get to their magic country?

4. Why did Leslie and Jess avoid one another during school hours?

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Tuesday, January 25 th : Chapter Five--The Giant Killers

New Vocabulary: Revenge: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Vigorously: ___________________________________________________________________________________

pacing: ____________________________________________________________________________________

cuss: ____________________________________________________________________________________

plunged: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Reading Objective: Identify the elements of fiction.Reading Strategy Focus: use information from the text to make inferences

and draw conclusions.

1. What are the six elements of fiction?

2. Why is the theme/message important in fiction?

Use your book to cite page numbers and support your inferences or answers.

3. What is the theme/message of this chapter? Support your answer with details and examples.

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Independent Reading Work for Tuesday

Use three new vocabulary words in a complete sentence. Circle the new word.

1. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Reading Objective: Identify the elements of fiction.Reading Strategy Focus: use information from the text to make inferences

and draw conclusions.

1. What is the theme/message of your silent reading book? Support your answer with details and examples.

Use your book to cite page numbers and support your inferences or answers.

2. What plan of action do Jesse and Leslie decide on to pay back Janice Avery?

3. What was the hardest part of the plan to get Janice Avery?

4. Do you think Leslie and Jess were wise to reveal the truth to May Bell about who wrote the letter to Janice Avery?

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Wednesday, January 26 th : Chapter Six--The Coming of Prince Terrien

New Vocabulary: Obsessed: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Grieve: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Grove: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Squabbling: __________________________________________________________________________________

Reading Objective: Identify symbolism and figurative language in fiction.Reading Strategy Focus: use information from the text to make inferences

and draw conclusions.

1. What is symbolism? Why is it used in fiction?

2. What is figurative language? Why is it used in fiction?

3. Is Terabithia a symbol? Explain.

4. Explain the sentence, "That night the glow of the afternoon stayed with him".

 

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Independent Reading Work for Wednesday

Use three new vocabulary words in a complete sentence. Circle the new word.

1. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Reading Objective: Identify symbolism and figurative language in fiction.Reading Strategy Focus: use information from the text to make inferences

and draw conclusions.

1. Is there symbolism in your silent reading book? Explain and give examples.

2. Is there figurative language in your silent reading book? Explain and give examples.

Use your book to cite page numbers and support your inferences or answers.

3. Why does Jess make sure that he and the puppy enter Terabithia only by the prescribed entrance?

4. What does Leslie give Jess for Christmas?

Thursday, January 27 th : Chapter Seven--The Golden Room

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New Vocabulary: Reluctant: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Exiled: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Tolerated: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Hostile: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Vile: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Betrayed: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Reading Objective: Compare and contrast elements of fiction.Reading Strategy Focus: use information from the text to make inferences

and draw conclusions.

1. Who does Leslie discover crying in the bathroom stall, and why is she crying?

2. Using a Venn diagram, compare and contrast Jesse and Leslie’s feelings about Janice Avery before and after this chapter and its events.

3. Does this important event change the theme we originally thought we learned from Janice Avery?

Independent Reading Work for Thursday

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Use three new vocabulary words in a complete sentence. Circle the new word.

1. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Reading Objective: Compare and contrast elements of fiction.Reading Strategy Focus: use information from the text to make inferences

and draw conclusions.

Use your book to cite page numbers and support your inferences or answers.

1. What happened when Jess tried to go to Terabithia alone?

2. Using a Venn diagram, compare the relationship between Leslie and her father and Jess and his father.

3. Why did Jess feel differently when he was at Leslie's house?

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Friday, January 28 th : Chapter Eight—Easter

New Vocabulary: Slunk: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Pew: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Unison: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Congregation: ________________________________________________________________________________

Sanctuary: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Vile: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Reading Objective: Compare and contrast characters’ feelings.Reading Strategy Focus: use information from the text to make inferences

and draw conclusions.

Use your book to cite page numbers and support your inferences or answers.

1.Why does Leslie say she would like to go to church with Jess' family?

2. Using a Venn diagram, compare how Leslie, May Belle and Jesse feel about church and God.

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Independent Reading Work for Friday

Use three new vocabulary words in a complete sentence. Circle the new word.

1. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Reading Objective: Compare and contrast characters’ feelings.Reading Strategy Focus: use information from the text to make inferences

and draw conclusions.

Use your book to cite page numbers and support your inferences or answers.

1. What was unusual about the weather?

2. How did Jess' sisters react to the news about their father?

3. Using a Venn diagram, compare the feelings of three characters in your book. Be sure to label and title your diagram to make it clear.

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Monday, January 31 st : Chapter Nine--The Evil Spell

New Vocabulary:

Mournfully: __________________________________________________________________________________

Confine: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Vanquished: __________________________________________________________________________________

Perceive: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Plodding: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Reading Objective: Identify symbolism and figurative language in fiction.Reading Strategy Focus: use information from the text to make inferences

and draw conclusions.

1. What is symbolism? Why is it used in fiction?

2. What is figurative language? Why is it used in fiction?

3. Explain why this chapter is called The Evil Spell?

4. What is the "flaw" that Jess recognizes in his own character and doesn't like?

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Independent Reading Work for Monday

Use three new vocabulary words in a complete sentence. Circle the new word.

1. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Reading Objective: Identify symbolism and figurative language in fiction.Reading Strategy Focus: use information from the text to make inferences

and draw conclusions.

1. Is there symbolism in your silent reading book? Explain and give examples.

2. Is there figurative language in your silent reading book? Explain and give examples.

Use your book to cite page numbers and support your inferences or answers.

3. What does Jess wake up to in the middle of the night?

4. According to Jess, what will Leslie still want to do despite the heavy rains?

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Tuesday, February 1 st : Chapter Ten--The Perfect Day

Vocabulary:

Scrawny: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Idly: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Anxiety: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Liberated: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Disguised: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Reading Objective: Sequence events in a fiction text.Reading Strategy Focus: use information from the text to make inferences

and draw conclusions.

1. Sequence the important events in this chapter.

First Next After that Then

-> -> ->

Use your book to cite page numbers and support your inferences or answers.

2. What does Jess want Leslie to teach him how to do in the summer?

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Independent Reading Work for Tuesday

Use three new vocabulary words in a complete sentence. Circle the new word.

1. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Reading Objective: Sequence events in a fiction text.Reading Strategy Focus: use information from the text to make inferences

and draw conclusions.

1. Sequence the important events in your book or chapter.

First Next After that Then

-> -> ->

Use your book to cite page numbers and support your inferences or answers.

2. Who telephoned Jess and what did the caller want?

3. What didn't occur to Jess until the car was past Millsburg?

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Wednesday, February 2 nd : Chapter Eleven--No!

New Vocabulary: Dread: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Lopsided: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Hurtling: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Rumpled: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Accusation: __________________________________________________________________________________

Reading Objective: Read and respond to literature.Reading Strategy Focus: use information from the text to make inferences

and draw conclusions.

1. How did Jess react when he was given the news?

2. How would you have reacted? Explain your answer.

3. Describe how Jess feels when he wakes up in the middle of the night.

4. How do you think you would have felt in the middle of the night if you were Jess? Explain your answer.

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Independent Reading Work for Wednesday

Use three new vocabulary words in a complete sentence. Circle the new word.

1. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Reading Objective: Read and respond to literature.Reading Strategy Focus: use information from the text to make inferences

and draw conclusions.

1. When does Jess first realize that something is wrong?

2. Why does Jess' father suggest that they should pay a visit to the neighbors?

3. Do you think that Jess’ father is right? Do you think it was good for Jess to go visit Leslie’ parents?

4. Why did May Belle say that she wanted to visit the neighbors with them?

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Thursday, February 3 rd : Chapter Twelve--Stranded!

New Vocabulary: Snicker: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Smothering: __________________________________________________________________________________

Mushy: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Cremated: ____________________________________________________________________________________

bold: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Reading Objective: Read and respond to literature.Reading Strategy Focus: use information from the text to make inferences

and draw conclusions.

Use your book to cite page numbers and support your inferences or answers.

1. Why does Jess think that Leslie has failed him?

2. What is the significance of the phrase, “I am now the fastest runner in the fifth grade”?

3. Find an important sentence in this chapter and copy it here:

4. What is the significance of that phrase or sentence?

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Independent Reading Work for Thursday

Use three new vocabulary words in a complete sentence. Circle the new word.

1. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Reading Objective: Read and respond to literature.Reading Strategy Focus: use information from the text to make inferences

and draw conclusions.

Use your book to cite page numbers and support your inferences or answers.

1. What does Jess mean when he says that Leslie has left him stranded like an astronaut on the moon?

2. Why did Bill give P.T. to Jess?

3. Find an important sentence in your book and copy it here:

4. What is the significance of that phrase or sentence?

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Friday, February 4 th : Chapter Thirteen--Building the Bridge

New Vocabulary:

Procession: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Chaos: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Obediently: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Solemn: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Fragile: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Emphasis: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Reading Objective: Read and respond to literature.Reading Strategy Focus: use information from the text to make inferences

and draw conclusions.

Use your book to cite page numbers and support your inferences or answers.

1. Why is the glass of milk that Jess pours for himself warm?

2. Whose cry shatters the quietness of Jess' solemn procession?

3. What is the significance of this event with May Belle?

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Independent Reading Work for Friday

Use three new vocabulary words in a complete sentence. Circle the new word.

1. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Reading Objective: Read and respond to literature.Reading Strategy Focus: use information from the text to make inferences

and draw conclusions.

Use your book to cite page numbers and support your inferences or answers.

Jess remarks that Leslie took him from the cow pasture to Terabithia and turned him into a king.  What does Jess mean by this statement?  Explain in your own words.

At the end of the story we find that Jess is building a bridge to Terabithia.  Why is this so important and what does it tell the reader about Jess?

Choice Activities:

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Choose one project you would like to work on. You will have the weekend and three days in class to complete the project. We will present our projects on Wednesday when we have our Bridge to Terabithia movie showing.

1. Pretend that you are a newspaper columnist such as "Dear Abby" or "Ann Landers".  Have a classmate send you a letter describing a problem they are having. Answer the letter giving them advice on various ways they might resolve their problem.

2. Draw a comic strip showing one of the conversations between Jess Aarons and Leslie Burke.

3. According to Leslie, her parents have moved to the area because they are "reassessing their value structure".  What things in life do you value?  Explain why some of your values may change as you get older.  Can you think of any values you have now that may never change? Make a poster displaying these values and explaining them. 4. There are thirteen chapters in this novel.  Explain briefly the significance of each chapter title.

5. Design either a title page for your guide or a book jacket for your novel. Explain in writing why you chose that title page or book jacket.

6. The students were quite concerned with fashion on the first day of school.  Many advocates of school uniforms argue that this problem is eliminated when students wear school uniforms.  Do you agree?  Defend your position by writing an essay or creating a poster.

7. Write a letter to the author, Katherine Paterson.  What are some of the questions you might like to ask her?  What are some of the things you would like to tell her about the book? 8. Pretend that you are going to interview one of the characters from your book. Make up a list of questions that you would like to ask them. Explain why you want to ask them those questions.

9. Write and illustrate a poem about the book or one of the characters in the book.

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