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Copywork
About This Passage
Miss Minchin has wrongly decided that Sara knows no French and will not let her explain that she already speaks it. Handed a baby's phrase book that says 'le pere means the father,' Sara wants to smile at how silly it is, but she holds back. This sentence shows Sara choosing to stay polite and patient even when she is being treated unfairly, which is one of the most important things about who she is.
She knew it would be rude to smile, and she was very determined not to be rude.
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Discussion Questions
Narration Prompt
Retell Chapter 2 in your own words: how Sara goes into the schoolroom and the other girls stare at her, how Miss Minchin decides Sara cannot speak French and will not let her explain, and how Monsieur Dufarge discovers that Sara already speaks French beautifully.
Discussion Questions
- When Miss Minchin hands Sara a baby's French book and will not let her explain, Sara wants to smile but stays quiet and polite. Does Sara seem patient, timid, or a little of both when she holds back, and why? Use the chapter's details about what Sara does and feels to explain.
- Miss Minchin decides Sara is 'a very spoiled little girl' and refuses to listen when Sara tries to say 'but.' Is Miss Minchin being fair to Sara, and how can you tell from the chapter? Use the chapter's details about how Miss Minchin treats Sara to explain.
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Vocabulary
Item 1
A bad feeling you keep against someone who has wronged you.
Item 2
Calm, serious, and worthy of respect.
Item 3
Uncomfortable and unsure of what to do or say.
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Critical Thinking
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