Reading Assignment

Organizer and Vocabulary

Comprehension

Pg. 1-35

Find textual evidence supports that Cara has a conflict.

Character Trait for Cara

• How long had Cara Landry been living in Carlton, Illinois?
• What large city did Cara live on the outskirts of?
• What grade was Cara in at Denton Elementary?
• What did Cara want to be when she grew up?
• What personal situation led Cara to write hurtful newspaper articles the year before?
• How was Cara's newest newspaper edition different than those she wrote while in fourth grade?
• Who is Dr. Barnes?
• Where did Cara like to sit in Mr. Larson's class?
• What secret about Mr. Larson had Cara discovered by carefully looking over the class cases by the front desk?
• What did Mr. Larson do every day after starting the class on a story or a worksheet?
• Who retrieved The Landry News from the wastebasket of Room 145?
• What did Mr. Larson do after reading Cara's posted newspaper?
• Why did Cara's editorial anger Mr. Larson?
• What did Cara's editorial make Mr. Larson realize?
• Why did so many parents write letters requesting that their child not be in Mr. Larson's class?
• How did Mrs. Landry react when she learned that Cara had written an upsetting editorial about her teacher?
• List three facts Cara knew about LeeAnn Ennis.
  How did Cara know that LeeAnn loved cats?

Pgs. 36-50

Locate examples of figurative language and explain what they mean:

Character Trait for Mr. Larson

Chapter 7:

• What happened when Mr. Larson came to school on Monday?
• What was the class like that day?
• What was Cara’s response?
• Why did Cara respond that way?
• How did it change Mr. Larson’s class?

Chapter 8:

• How/Why does everyone know about the paper?
• What does that mean?
• Why is Cara hesitant to use the computer?  Would you feel the same way?
• Why does Joey want to work for Cara?
• What is he going to do for her?Why does Mr. Larson approve/allow them to use the computer lab?
• Why does he grin when Cara and Joey leave? Use text evidence as support.

Pgs 51-67

Locate examples of figurative language and explain what they mean:

Chapter 9:

• What did Mr. Larson learn about the project when he is stopped in the hallway by the computer teacher?

Chapter 10:

• How did the newspaper evolve?
• What were some of the new articles about?
•  Why did Cara decide to give Mr. Larson a copy?
• Why did Cara write the From the Editor’s Desk article?
• What was the purpose behind her article?
• Why did Mr. Larson feel so good about the paper?
• Why/how did a copy end up on the principal’s desk?

Chapter 11:

• Why didn’t Dr. Barnes like Mr. Larson?
• Why is Dr. Barnes so excited about the paper?
• What does he think will happen? Use text evidence to support your answer.

68-82

What does the title, “Growth Spurt Doesn’t Hurt” mean?

What is the tone at the end of the chapter? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

Locate examples of figurative language and explain what they mean:

Chapter 12:

• Why does Mr. Larson ask the class about similarities/differences between The Landry News and other well know newspapers?
• What changes does Cara reflect back on over the last paper?
• How is she changing it?
• What was Mr. Larson feel at the end of class on Tuesday? Why?

Chapter 13:

• What were Dr. Barnes intentions when talking to Mr. Larson about the paper?
• How is Mr. Larson defending the paper?
• Why does Mr. Larson feel he needs to defend the paper?  Would you?  Why or why not?
• What does Dr. Barnes say in response?
• Why does Mr. Larson take full responsibility for the paper?
• What does that mean to Dr. Barnes? Why is he so happy about that?

83-98

Why do you think they included a picture on pg. 95? Use textual evidence to support your answer.

What is the meaning of “awefully good” mean on page 96?

Chapter 14:

• What does Mr. Larson say to the class about the constitution? Why?
• What does amendment mean and why does the constitution have one?
• Why did Mr. Larson talk about the principal, school board, and parents? What is he trying to get at?

Chapter 15:

• How has the paper evolved since the first copy?
• What story really caught Cara’s eye? Why do you think that?
• Why was the Lost and Found story so interesting and exciting to Dr. Barnes?
• How is that story possibly going to get Mr. Larson in trouble?

Chapter 16:

• What did Dr. Barnes give to Mr. Larson?
• How did Mr. Larson feel about it?
• Why is the word ‘teach’ going to help Mr. Larson and everyone else?
• Why does the last line of the chapter say TEACHER?

103-138

How has the change of setting impacted the story?

Character Trait for Dr. Barnes

Summarize the end of the story? Use textual evidence to support your answer.

Chapter 17:

• Why did Mr. Larson show the class the letter he received from Dr. Barnes?
• Why is the First Amendment – the freedom of the press in trouble?
• Why is this the ‘best trouble’ Mr. Larson has ever been in?
• Why did the last page of the packet Mr. Larson gave out just say the word conclusions?
• Why did that word mean hope to Cara?

Chapter 18:

• What do Joey and Cara think of on the bus?
• What do you think Mr. Larson will think of this new plan?
• Why did they end up choosing that name?
• Why did Dr. Barnes admit to himself that the paper was good?
• What happened with Cara in Dr. Barnes office? Use text evidence as support?
• How did Cara feel when leaving Dr. Barnes’ office?

Chapter 19:

• Why are all the teachers supporting Mr. Larson?
• Why is there so much media attention around Mr. Larson?
• Why was Cara disappointed by her TV interview?
• Why did the students watch the media coverage and read the newspapers?
• What do the students debate about in class?
• Why were the students so excited about the hearing?

Chapter 20:

• Why did Mr. Larson choose not to have a lawyer?
• Why did Mrs. Morton want her son to read the letter?
• Is Michael’s article inappropriate? Why or why not?
• How did Cara know Mr. Larson would not get fired?
• What did Cara write in her editorial?
• Why did she end up writing all of that?