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Nancy Drew False Notes By Carolyn Keene Illustrations by Zach Horn Teacher’s Guide

Nancy Drew False Notes By Carolyn Keene Illustrations by ... · It seems that a young piano prodigy is missing ... she still earns a scholarship. ... tease each other without hurting

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Nancy Drew False NotesBy Carolyn Keene

Illustrations by Zach Horn

Teacher’s Guide

Nancy Drew False Notes

This guide provides vocabulary lists as well as comprehension and discussionquestions pertaining to the material in each chapter. The questions in “Nancy’s Notes”are written directly to the students so that you can use them just as they are written, asdiscussion points, journal prompts or as writing assignments for your students as theyread the story. You may want to explain that book clubs often focus on parts of stories fordiscussion and that your class will function as a book club, talking about the story as youread each chapter. And, since this story appears in a newspaper, there are many learningactivities throughout the guide that direct students to other parts of the newspaper toextend your lessons.

Summary of the StoryNancy is wrestling with the dilemma of what to buy her father for his birthday

when she is confronted with a mystery. It seems that a young piano prodigy is missingbut no one, including the young girl’s parents, is reporting the crime to the police. Nancyis hot on the trail of proving that the mystery is real while trying to find the whereaboutsof the missing pianist. The prodigy’s mother is considering running for mayor of thetown and Nancy suspects that her opponent is behind the missing girl’s disappearance.Nancy and her friends Bess and George go to extremes to find the missing girl before shemisses her opportunity to audition for a music scholarship. In the end, the mystery issolved and the young girl is returned, not in time for the audition, but with Nancy’s help,she still earns a scholarship. And, when Nancy arranges for the prodigy to play at herdad’s birthday party, she has found the perfect gift, too!

Chapter OneSummary:Nancy was shopping for a birthday present for her father when she saw a disturbing sceneof a couple having an argument. It left her with the troubled feeling that there wassomething seriously wrong.

Getting Ready to Read:In this chapter Nancy sees two people who appear to have a problem. Can your studentsthink of a time when they helped someone in trouble? How do they decide when to helpand when to mind their own business?

Vocabulary:Have students find each of these words in the chapter and to write a definition based onthe context. If they cannot define the word, they should check with a dictionary. Theyshould identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where possible.

waryreputationpsychicfatesconvenientsleuthingdistraughtgrimsedan

Comprehension Questions:Q. Why does the police chief put up with Nancy’s amateur detective work?A. He respects her father.Q. Why is Nancy having a party on Thursday?A. It’s her father’s birthday.Q. What does Nancy see out the window that worries her?A. She sees a couple having an argument and they look very upset.

Nancy’s Notes:Here are some thinking and writing activities students can do after reading this chapter.

1. Imagine that you are Nancy and you are a detective who likes to solve mysteries. Getstarted right away on this one. Start a journal and in it you will keep important details thatyou find in the story. What do you think is important to remember from this chapter?Write down a few notes about what happened in this chapter that might give you cluesabout the mystery. Then, after you read each chapter, add more notes to your journal.2. Lucia is a psychic. She admits that she really can’t predict the future too accurately. Doyou believe that some people can predict the future? Check the horoscopes in yournewspaper and see what yours is. Write a paragraph telling whether you believe what youread. Then, check back tomorrow to see if your horoscope came true.

Learning Standards: predicting, evaluating information

Chapter TwoSummary:As Nancy continued to shop for her dad’s birthday present, she remembered that thewoman she saw arguing on the street was Heather Simmons, potential mayoral candidate.When she told her father about what she saw, he seemed alarmed.

Getting Ready to Read:In this chapter readers meet Nancy’s best friends. She trusts them and tells them what’son her mind. Ask students to talk about the people they trust with their secrets.

Vocabulary:Have students find each of these words in the chapter and to write a definition based onthe context. If they cannot define the word, they should check with a dictionary. Theyshould identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where possible.

hunchqualificationsemployerhavendestitutesheepishlyclattereddismayed

Comprehension Questions:Q. Who was the woman that Nancy saw in the argument?A. She was Heather Simmons, who is thinking of running for mayor.Q. Why don’t people like the other possible mayoral candidate?A. He only recently moved to town.Q. How did Nancy’s dad react when she mentioned Heather and Clay Simmons?A. He got very upset.

Nancy’s Notes:Here are some thinking and writing activities students can do after reading this chapter.

1. What do you know about Nancy so far? Write a description of Nancy.2. Nancy, her dad and her housekeeper have dinner table discussions in which they talkabout their day. When do you tell your family about your day? Do you think it’simportant to have this kind of talk each day? Why? What story in today’s newspaperwould make a good topic for a dinner-table discussion?

Learning Standards: writing descriptions, understanding the role of families

Chapter ThreeSummary:Nancy describes her father’s shocked reaction to her friends, Bess and George. Theyconclude that the Simmons must be Nancy’s father’s clients but they want to know more.

Getting Ready to Read:Nancy is known for her “hunches.” How would your students define a hunch? Do theyever have hunches?

Vocabulary:Have students find each of these words in the chapter and to write a definition based onthe context. If they cannot define the word, they should check with a dictionary. Theyshould identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where possible.

demeanorattorneyclientconservatorysputteringincidentchaoticpatentedguffawed

Comprehension Questions:Q. What is Leslie Simmons competing for?A. She’s trying to win a scholarship to the music conservatory.Q. Is George’s room tidy?A. No, it’s a mess.Q. Do Bess and George think there is a real mystery here?A. They’re not sure but they respect Nancy’s hunches.

Nancy’s NotesHere are some thinking and writing activities students can do after reading this chapter.

1. Bess and George are cousins and good friends. Bess seems to be envious aboutGeorge’s ability to eat without gaining weight. Do you think you can envy someone andstill care about that person? If you are jealous of something your friend has, does thatmean that you are not good friends? Write a paragraph telling what you think aboutjealousy and friendship. Can jealousy ever be good for a relationship?

2. Nancy’s dad is a lawyer. Is that an occupation that interests you? Is being a lawyer andimportant job? What are some other jobs that matter? Check the Help Wanted ads in thenewspaper to make a list of the five most important jobs. Rank them from 1-5 in order ofimportance with 1 being the most important. For each job, give a reason why it’simportant. Then tell which of the jobs, if any, you might be interested in having someday.

Learning Standards: evaluating careers, prioritizing

Chapter FourSummary:After visiting the Simmons’ house, Nancy concludes that Leslie has been kidnapped.

Getting Ready to Read:Nancy and her friends do research on the Internet. What kinds of things do your studentslike to do on the Internet?

Vocabulary:Have students find each of these words in the chapter and to write a definition based onthe context. If they cannot define the word, they should check with a dictionary. Theyshould identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where possible.

scrollingarchiveintentrecitalclapboardfundraisersprinted

Comprehension Questions:Q. How did the girls learn about Granger’s plans to run for mayor?A. They found the information on the official town Web site.Q. When is the deadline for mayoral race paperwork to be in?A. The deadline is Friday.Q. How long has it been since Leslie last had a bulletin board entry?A. It’s been two days.Q. What does Nancy want to do to find out more?A. She wants to go to the Simmons’ house.

Nancy’s Notes:Here are some thinking and writing activities students can do after reading this chapter.

1. Nancy saw something inside the Simmons’ house that was a clue. What do yousuppose it was? Read the chapter again carefully, think about what Nancy already knowsabout Leslie, and make a guess about what you think she saw that is a clue to whetherLeslie is missing.2. Nancy, Bess and George are great friends. They trust each other enough to be able totease each other without hurting one another’s feelings. What else is needed to make aterrific friendship? What makes you like someone? Can you find someone in today’snewspaper that you think could be a good friend? Write a description of that person andwhat you think makes him or her good friend material.

Learning Standards: locating information, analyzing relationships

Chapter FiveSummary:Nancy concludes that Morris Granger probably kidnapped Leslie in order to distract hermother, Heather, from running for mayor so that he can win the election.

Getting Ready to Read:Some people might say that Nancy “jumps to conclusions.” Ask your students what thatexpression means and to think about it while they read this chapter.

Vocabulary:Have students find each of these words in the chapter and to write a definition based onthe context. If they cannot define the word, they should check with a dictionary. Theyshould identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where possible.

distractunopposedauditionsprodigiesransompropertydespicable

Comprehension Questions:Q. What reason does Nancy think Granger would have to kidnap Leslie?A. She thinks he might want to distract Heather from the mayoral race.Q. What did Nancy see at the house that made her suspicious?A. The piano keys were dusty.Q. Why doesn’t Nancy want to call the police?A. She doesn’t want to put Leslie in more danger.

Nancy’s Notes:Here are some thinking and writing activities students can do after reading this chapter.

1. The girls suspect that Heather and Clay Simmons are in trouble but are choosing not togo to the police because they think that is best for their child. Do you think this is a goodchoice? If you were in this kind of trouble, with someone you know in danger, would youcall the police? To whom do you go when you have a serious problem? Write a letter tothat person, telling him or her how much it means to you to have a safe person to talk towhen you need one.2. At this point, perhaps the police should be involved in Leslie’s case. Can you find astory in the newspaper in which the police were involved? Write a summary of the storyand of the part played by the police. The mission of many police forces is “to protect andto serve.” In the story you found, how are they protecting and serving?

Learning Standards: writing for different purposes, summarizing

Chapter SixSummary:Nancy gets trapped in Granger’s basement.

Getting Ready to Read:Nancy wants to snoop around Granger’s house. Do your students think she should? Why?

Vocabulary:Have students find each of these words in the chapter and to write a definition based onthe context. If they cannot define the word, they should check with a dictionary. Theyshould identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where possible.

urgentlyapron-cladproppedyappingracketgaugedfeeble

Comprehension QuestionsQ. How does Nancy get into Granger’s home?A. The front door was open for a cleaning service and she walked in.

Q. What happens to Nancy in Granger’s house?A. He comes home and she is trapped in the basement.

Nancy’s NotesHere are some thinking and writing activities students can do after reading this chapter.

1. Nancy chooses to go into Granger’s house without permission. Of course you knowthat such a move would be against the law and wrong to do. Do you think that Nancymade a good choice? Is it ever okay to do something that is illegal if it is for a goodreason? For example, imagine that you are a very poor person and that your child is quiteill. You need medicine for him but don’t have money to pay for it. Do you steal themedicine if that is the only way to get it? Stealing is illegal. Is it okay if it’s for a goodreason? Debate this in your class and write an essay telling what you think.2. Find an article in the newspaper about someone who made a good choice and aboutanother person who made a poor choice. Compare the two choices.

Learning Standards: justifying personal perspective, comparing

Chapter SevenSummary:Nancy escapes from Granger’s house but she hasn’t found much to help her solve themystery. She decides to enlist the help of her friend, Ned.

Getting Ready to Read:The name of this chapter is “Close Calls.” Ask students to guess what that title means.

Vocabulary:Have students find each of these words in the chapter and to write a definition based onthe context. If they cannot define the word, they should check with a dictionary. Theyshould identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where possible.

franticknacktrouserdilemma

Comprehension QuestionsQ. How does Nancy feel when she sees the locked basement door?A. She thought she was “dead meat.”Q. How does Nancy get out of the basement?A. Bess picks the lock on the outside door and lets her out.Q. Did Nancy find any valuable information at Granger’s house?

A. No, she did not.

Nancy’s Notes1. Nancy thinks that if Granger catches her, she still might be able to talk her way out ofthe situation. Imagine that he did catch her in the basement. Write the conversation as itmight have taken place between Granger and Nancy. What could she possibly say toexplain why she was in his house? You can also write a paragraph about an embarrassingtime in your life.2. Like many people, Mr. Granger talks to his dog. Check out the comic strips in thenewspaper to find people and animals communicating. Write a description of thecommunication – the method and the message.

Learning Standards: writing dialogue and descriptions

Chapter EightSummary:Nancy escapes from Granger’s house but she hasn’t found much to help her solve themystery. She decides to enlist the help of her friend, Ned.

Getting Ready to Read:Do your students think that Nancy is a confident person? Why? Are they confident? Whatdo they think that means?

Vocabulary:Have students find each of these words in the chapter and to write a definition based onthe context. If they cannot define the word, they should check with a dictionary. Theyshould identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where possible.

amateursleuthingperturbedusheredinkling

Comprehension Questions:Q. What did Nancy ask Ned to do?A. To arrange an interview for himself and her at Rackham Industries so she can find outmore about Granger.Q. What is weird about the office?A. There is no one in sight when Nancy and Ned arrive.Q. Does Mr. Halloran give Nancy any information about Granger’s plans?A. No, he says it’s all rumor.

Nancy’s Notes:1. Throughout the story, Nancy depends on her friends to help her and in this chapter, sheasks Ned for a favor. Friendship is a give and take relationship in that good friends areable to ask for and accept help when it’s needed. Can you think of a time when you askeda friend to help you with something? Write that person a letter of thanks telling him orher how much you appreciate the ability to count on your friend and promising to besimilarly helpful to them.2. Ned is able to get into a lot of businesses because he is working as a reporter for anewspaper. Reporters have to ask good questions to get the information they need towrite detailed stories. Choose an interesting article from the newspaper and write at leastfive questions you think the reporter would have asked in interviewing people for thestory.

Learning Standards: reflecting on relationships, generating questions

Chapter NineSummary:Nancy is trying to determine if Leslie Simmons really is missing and hopes to find outmore at the recital.

Getting Ready to Read:Nancy does some volunteer work. Do your students ever do anything that is community-minded?

Vocabulary:Have students find each of these words in the chapter and to write a definition based onthe context. If they cannot define the word, they should check with a dictionary. Theyshould identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where possible.

lamehumiliatedanglingsubtlesympathetic

Comprehension Questions:Q. Were Nancy and Deirdre good friends?A. No, they don’t like each other.Q. At this point, does Nancy have any solid evidence of a mystery?A. No, she still only has a hunch and that’s why she still doesn’t want to go to the police.

Nancy’s Notes:1. It is clear that Nancy and Deirdre don’t like each other. It appears that they have hadsome kind of conflict in the past. What do you do when you conflict with someone? Whatdo you think is the best way to resolve a conflict? What do you think Nancy and Deirdrecould do to get along better? Imagine that you are their school counselor and that the twoof them are coming in to work with you. Write what you would say to help them improvetheir ability to get along.2. Nancy says that she and Deirdre got along “as well as oil and water.” What does thatmean? If you mix oil and water, they do not blend together, but, rather, each staysseparate from the other. Do you think that means that Nancy and Deirdre were goodfriends or not? Such an expression is called a metaphor. That is when you describesomething by comparing it to something else. In this case, Nancy is describing herrelationship to Deirdre by comparing it to the mixture of oil and water. It gives the readera clear picture of what the relationship is like and is far more interesting to read than justsaying that the girls didn’t like each other. Metaphors help the readers to use theirimaginations to understand the text more deeply. Choose some photos from thenewspaper and write some metaphors to describe some of what you see pictured.

Learning Standards: solving problems, understanding metaphors

Chapter TenSummary:Nancy has learned that the normally calm Clay Simmons, Leslie’s father, has recentlybeen rude in speaking to the piano teacher.

Getting Ready to Read:Leslie Simmons is a talented pianist. Do your students have any special talents? Givethem some time to talk about what they do well.

Vocabulary:Have students find each of these words in the chapter and to write a definition based onthe context. If they cannot define the word, they should check with a dictionary. Theyshould identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where possible.

auditionretreatreluctantly

Comprehension Questions:Q. Where do people think Leslie is?A. They think she’s at a retreat.Q. What doesn’t Nancy see that she thinks should be in the auditorium?

A. She doesn’t see a cello even though there was supposed to be a cello player at therecital.Q. How did Mrs. Diver find out that Leslie wouldn’t be at the recital?A. Leslie’s father told her at the last minute that Leslie would be on retreat to rehearse.

Nancy’s Notes:1. This chapter holds several big clues to solving the mystery. Can you find them? Readcarefully to see what Nancy notices once she is in the auditorium. See if you can add aclue to your log or journal. (Note to teachers – the clues are that there is no cello thereand, therefore, no cellist rehearsing. At the same time, Nancy discovers that cellist DianeSharon is also vying for the scholarship. Nancy also learns that Clay Simmons has beenrude to Leslie’s piano teacher.)2. Mrs. Diver feels that Clay Simmons was rude to her. How does it make you feel whenpeople are rude to you? See if you can find an example of rude behavior in the comicstrips. Rewrite the strip you found and change the rude talk to polite conversation.

Learning Standards: using evidence and reasoning, analyzing characters

Chapter ElevenSummary:Nancy, Bess and George have decided to follow Granger. They are waiting outside hisoffice.

Getting Ready to Read:Nancy and her friends go out for some food in this chapter. Where do your students liketo eat? Why?

Vocabulary:Have students find each of these words in the chapter and to write a definition based onthe context. If they cannot define the word, they should check with a dictionary. Theyshould identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where possible.

speculatedmeagerfar-fetched

Comprehension Questions:Q. Why was Nancy so determined to continue investigating?A. Because Leslie’s safety depended on it.Q. Why is Clay Simmons’ rudeness so suspicious?A. Because he is normally very nice so Nancy thinks that there must be a good reasonwhy he’s been rude and that makes her think that his daughter really is missing.

Q. What does Nancy want to do now in order to learn more?A. She wants to follow Granger after he leaves his office.

Nancy’s Notes:1. Design the menu board for the sandwich shop. Since it’s near a college campus, try tothink of names for all the sandwiches that would be cute for a college menu. Forexample, the turkey and cheese sandwich could be called, “Poultry & Prose.” The plainhamburger could be called, “Burger-Me 101.” See if you can come up with names for atleast five sandwiches.2. The sandwich shop near the university is called, “Food For Thought.” Since the storysays that it’s near the university, using the words food and thought make it a clever namefor a restaurant. Do you think that’s a good name for that kind of business? See if you canfind great business names listed in the newspaper. Check the ads and choose the businessname you think is most clever. Then find one that is not so smart, look over the kind ofbusiness it is and come up with a better name.

Learning Standards: writing for different purposes, understanding business decisions

Chapter TwelveSummary:Nancy and her friends have followed Granger to a deserted construction site where theysuspect he’s hiding Leslie. Suddenly he spots them!

Getting Ready to Read:Do your students think that Leslie is at a retreat? Why?

Vocabulary:Have students find each of these words in the chapter and to write a definition based onthe context. If they cannot define the word, they should check with a dictionary. Theyshould identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where possible.

emergedclutchedintersectionhaphazardlyscurriedquarrydebris

Comprehension Questions:Q. Where did Granger go?A. He went to the hospital construction site.

Q. Why does Nancy think Granger went to the site?A. She thinks he’s hiding Leslie there.Q. What happens at the site?A. Granger spots the girls.

Nancy’s Notes:1. Here is a description from this chapter. “Piles of concrete, lumber, and stone wereeverywhere, and pale-gray plaster dust coated everything, giving the area the look of amoon colony beneath the dim gleam of the setting sun.” Do you see how this descriptiongives a really vivid description of the scene? By describing the construction site in suchdetail and comparing it to the look of a moon colony at sunset, the writer paints a picturewith words. This is a great way to make your writing come alive. Try it yourself. Thinkof a scene that you can write a description of in great detail. Add it to your writingjournal. See if you can paint a picture with words. Think of this activity as “showing”rather than “telling.” That means that you will show the reader what the scene looks likeby using lots of detail.2. Be a detail detective. Check the newspaper for a story that has lots of vivid descriptionand detail. Copy a part of it into your writing journal and underline the words and phrasesthat you think add the most interest to the writing.

Learning Standards: writing with supportive details, recognizing words

Chapter ThirteenSummary:After discovering that Granger is not holding Leslie, Nancy and her friends confront theSimmons with the fact that they know Leslie is missing. Nancy just came to a realization.

Getting Ready to Read:If your students were in Nancy’s place, what would they say when Granger found themfollowing him?

Vocabulary:Have students find each of these words in the chapter and to write a definition based onthe context. If they cannot define the word, they should check with a dictionary. Theyshould identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where possible.

clamberedblurtedrappedearnestlyperil

Comprehension Questions:Q. What does Granger do when Nancy tells him that Leslie may have been kidnapped?A. He goes to the Simmons’ home to talk to her parents.Q. What did Leslie’s note say?A. It said, “I’ll be back.”Q. Why didn’t the Simmons go to the police?A. Heather was afraid and wanted to wait to hear from the kidnappers.

Nancy’s Notes:1. When Mr. Granger spots Nancy, she immediately tells him the truth. Do you think thatwas a good choice? Should she have told the truth or should she have made up abelievable story about why she was there? Talk about this with your class.2. Mr. and Mrs. Simmons worry that they should have gone to the police for help andnow it may be too late. Are there any stories in the newspaper involving the police? Canyou find a story in which the police were able to help someone? Write a summary of thestory you found.

Learning Standards: discussing shared issues in the human experience, summarizing

Chapter FourteenSummary:Nancy realized that another scholarship competitor, Diane Sharon, also missed the recitaland she found out that Diane is at a cabin in the woods. Nancy has just announced herintention to go there.

Getting Ready to Read:Do your students ever baby-sit? Or do they have baby-sitters stay with them? What doesa good baby-sitter do?

Vocabulary:Have students find each of these words in the chapter and to write a definition based onthe context. If they cannot define the word, they should check with a dictionary. Theyshould identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where possible.

startleddistractbarging

Comprehension Questions:Q. Whom does Nancy want to question next?A. She wants to talk to Diane Sharon’s parents.

Q. What does Nancy learn about Diane at her house?A. She finds out that Diane is at the family’s cabin.Q. Where is the cabin?A. It’s at Lake Firefly.

Nancy’s Notes:1. Playing a piano or any instrument takes a great deal of practice. What things do you dothat get better with practice? Write about the things you do that you get better at whenyou practice.2. The Sharon family has a cabin somewhere as a recreational home. Are there ads in theClassified section of the newspaper about recreational homes or areas in your region?Skim those ads and see what possibilities there are for vacation homes nearby.

Learning Standards: understanding the importance of practice to improve performance,locating information

Chapter FifteenSummary:On their race against time to get Leslie back from Lake Firefly in time for the audition,the girls have just run out of gas.

Getting Ready to Read:Ask your students if it is ever okay to tell a lie? Ask them again after they read thischapter and see the lie that Bess wants everyone to tell their parents.

Vocabulary:Have students find each of these words in the chapter and to write a definition based onthe context. If they cannot define the word, they should check with a dictionary. Theyshould identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where possible.

shoo-indebtconvictionchiding

Comprehension Questions:Q. How far away is Lake Firefly?A. It’s a four-hour drive.Q. Why doesn’t George think that the Sharons kidnapped Leslie?

A. She doesn’t think they need the scholarship money because they appear to be wealthybecause they have a nice house.Q. Why does George want the back seat?A. She wants to sleep on the way there.

Nancy’s Notes:1. Nancy and her friends don’t want their parents to worry about where they are all nightso they agree to tell their parents that they’re sleeping at one another’s homes instead oftelling them the truth which is that they are going to Lake Firefly. Do you think that wasa good way to solve the problem? What would you have done in that situation?2. Nancy thinks that the Sharons committed this crime because they were desperate. Skimthe newspaper for a story about a crime. For what reason do you think the criminalcommitted the crime?

Learning Standards: understanding issues related to one’s own experience, skimming

Chapter SixteenSummary:

Nancy has just realized that time has run out. Even if they find Leslie right away, theycannot get her back to town in time for the audition.

Getting Ready to Read:Lake Firefly is a vacation town. Where do your students like to go on vacation?

Vocabulary:Have students find each of these words in the chapter and to write a definition based onthe context. If they cannot define the word, they should check with a dictionary. Theyshould identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where possible.

defeatrusticintersection

Comprehension Questions:Q. Why does Bess blame herself for running out of gas even though she was not driving?A. She thinks that she should have double-checked Nancy because she knows how Nancyis with things like that because this isn’t the first time this has happened.Q. How did the girls get gas?A. George called an all-night truck stop and convinced a worker to bring them some gas.Q. Why can’t the girls find the Sharons’ house?A. They don’t have the address and the addresses aren’t listed online.

Nancy’s Notes:1.This chapter begins with the word “Aargh.” The word is actually a sound. Check thecomic strips to find other examples of words that are sounds. Write a list of those andthen write a sentence for each one. Add to the list any others that you can think of.2. Ask students to write a journal entry about a perfect vacation day in a town like LakeFirefly. Based on the description of the town, what would be fun to do there?

Learning Standards: exploring different speaking behaviors that enhance communication,writing for different purposes

Chapter SeventeenSummary:The girls find Leslie and begin to rush to get her home in time to audition for thescholarship.

Getting Ready to Read:Leslie is trying to get to the competition in time. Do your students ever compete foranything? How do they get ready for a competition of any sort? Do they think Leslie willbe able to ready herself this way?

Vocabulary:Have students find each of these words in the chapter and to write a definition based onthe context. If they cannot define the word, they should check with a dictionary. Theyshould identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where possible.

dronedcomposure

Comprehension Questions:Q. What did Nancy hear that gave her a clue about which was the Sharons’ house?A. She heard someone playing a piano.Q. Why is Leslie surprised to see Nancy?A. She was expecting Mr. Sharon to pick her up earlier.Q. Why can’t the girls get Leslie back in time?A. They have to get there in three hours and it’s a four hour drive.Q. Did Leslie write the note?A. No. She didn’t know about it.

Nancy’s Notes:

1. One of the reasons that Leslie is upset is because she thinks that her best friendbetrayed her. Do you think she and Diane can be friends again, even after the trust wasbroken? Write an essay about the importance of trust in a friendship.2. Trust, honesty, loyalty and respect are all pillars of character and they are all illustratedin various characters in this story. See if you can find someone in the newspaper whoexhibits each of these character traits.

Learning Standards: analyzing contemporary social issues, portraying positivecharacteristics

Chapter EighteenSummary:Nancy has just learned that Granger is going to pay her the ten-thousand-dollar rewardfor finding Leslie.

Getting Ready to Read:What would your students do with a ten-thousand dollar reward?

Vocabulary:Have students find each of these words in the chapter and to write a definition based onthe context. If they cannot define the word, they should check with a dictionary. Theyshould identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where possible.

boundedofficiallyoptimistic

Comprehension Questions:Q. Who won the competition?A. A flautist from West Heights won.Q. Why did Nancy invite the Simmons to the party?A. She wants to take their minds off of what happened.

Nancy’s Notes:1. In this chapter, there is a real insight into Leslie’s character. She is an optimist whosees the positive side of things. What evidence of that is there?2. Leslie is not the only optimist in this story. Nancy says she woke up “optimistic” aboutthe evening’s festivities. What does that mean? Can you find an optimist in thenewspaper? How can you tell the person you found is an optimist?3. What do you predict will be the birthday present Nancy gets for her dad?

Learning Standards: evaluating evidence, predicting

Chapter NineteenSummary: The girls decide to use the reward money to pay for Leslie to go to the musicconservatory. Nancy decides that Dad’s birthday gift should be a recital played by Leslie.

Getting Ready to Read:Do your students think that Nancy’s dad approves of her detective hobby? Why? Whatmakes Nancy a successful detective? Are those good qualities for a person to have?

Vocabulary:Have students find each of these words in the chapter and to write a definition based onthe context. If they cannot define the word, they should check with a dictionary. Theyshould identify the root word and any prefixes or suffixes where possible.

gratefullywholeheartedlylandslide

Comprehension Questions:Q. What do the girls decide to do with the reward money?A. They want to give it to Leslie to pay her way at the conservatory.Q. Why does Granger want Heather to run for mayor even though he wants the jobhimself?A. He wants the people of the town to have a real choice.

Nancy’s Notes:1. What would you do with the reward money? Imagine that you are Leslie and write athank you note to Nancy, Bess and George for all of their help and generosity.2. Which of the candidates do you think should win the mayoral election? Why?3. Are there any news stories about the mayor of your city or town in the newspaper?What can you learn about the mayor’s job from any of those stories? Are there anyelection stories in the news? Choose one and summarize it.

Learning Standards: creating a spending strategy, summarizing