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Copywork
About This Passage
This is how Chapter 30 opens. Zigzag says it is his birthday, but the words 'Or so he said' let us know nobody is really sure. At Camp Green Lake the boys have lost track of days — every day is the same hot day of digging. That is why Zigzag can say it is his birthday and nobody can prove otherwise. Notice how Sachar uses a tiny three-word sentence ('Or so he said.') all by itself to plant doubt.
The next day was Zigzag's birthday. Or so he said. Zigzag lay in his cot as everyone headed outside. "I get to sleep in, because it's my birthday."
Full copywork activity with handwriting lines available in the complete study guide.
Discussion Questions
Narration Prompt
Retell Chapter 30 to a grown-up. Start with Zigzag's 'birthday.' Then tell about the big fight — Zigzag pushing Stanley, Zero jumping in to help, and the shovel swing at the end. Finish by telling where Zero goes at the end of the chapter.
Discussion Questions
- What in the story tells you that Zigzag is NOT really upset about his birthday — that he is really upset about something else (like Zero digging part of Stanley's hole while the other boys dig their own)?
- What in the story tells you that Zero has been paying attention to Stanley's reading lessons, even though Mr. Pendanski keeps saying Zero is too stupid to learn?
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Vocabulary Builder
Item 1
The one that comes right after the one you are thinking about.
Item 2
The time from when the sun comes up until it goes down again.
Item 3
The special day each year when a person celebrates being born.
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Critical Thinking
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