Preview
Copywork
About This Passage
This passage is one of the scariest moments in the book so far. Stanley is in a big deep hole with all six other boys. They are tired and hot and cranky. Stanley is doing his work carefully — digging his shovel into the side of the hole and scooping up dirt — when another boy's shovel swings by accident and hits him in the head. Copying this passage helps a young reader feel how quickly a bad thing can happen when many tired boys are working close together in a small space.
He dug his shovel into the side of the hole. He scooped up some dirt, and was raising it up to the surface when Zigzag's shovel caught him in the side of the head. He collapsed.
Full copywork activity with handwriting lines available in the complete study guide.
Discussion Questions
Narration Prompt
Retell Chapter 17 in your own words. Start with the boys digging for a week and a half in the wrong place, then the Warden getting more and more angry, then the Warden jabbing Armpit with her pitchfork, then Zigzag's shovel hitting Stanley in the head, then Mr. Sir putting a bandage on the cut and telling Stanley to get right back to work.
Discussion Questions
- What in the story tells you that the Warden is losing her patience with the boys because she has not found what she is looking for?
- What in the story tells you that Zigzag is not acting normal after he hits Stanley with the shovel — that he seems a little strange and upset?
+ 2 more questions in the complete study guide
Vocabulary Builder
Item 1
A tool with a wide blade and a long handle, used for digging or lifting dirt.
Item 2
Loose earth or soil on the ground.
Item 3
Met or struck something as it was moving.
+ 5 more vocabulary words in the complete study guide
Critical Thinking
+ 4 more questions in the complete study guide
Get the complete study guide — free
Sign up and get your first book with every chapter included. Copywork, discussion questions, vocabulary, and critical thinking.
Sign up free