Preview
Copywork
About This Passage
Mary Pope Osborne shows Jack working through a quiet logical problem. He starts with a small physical action (pushing his glasses), then asks a question, then answers it with a list of specific adults who would not believe him. The list moves from general (mom and dad) to specific (Miss Watkins, third grade teacher). Students will practice using questions to organize their thoughts and lists to give specific examples.
Jack pushed his glasses into place. Who was going to believe any of this? His mom wouldn't believe it. Neither would his dad or his third grade teacher, Miss Watkins.
Full copywork activity with handwriting lines available in the complete study guide.
Discussion Questions
Narration Prompt
In your own words, tell the story of this chapter. What were the most important moments? What made them important — and how do you know?
Discussion Questions
- Jack wakes up at 5:30 in the morning to make a list of FACTS about the dinosaur trip. He insists on writing 'medallion' instead of 'medal' three times when Annie keeps saying it wrong. Why does Jack care so much about writing the correct word? What kind of person makes lists at 5:30 AM?
- Annie wants to go to the treehouse RIGHT NOW, before sunrise — to 'find out if the magic person is a fact.' Jack worries the magic person might be MEAN. Whose worry is more reasonable, and which sibling's instinct does the chapter quietly endorse?
+ 3 more questions in the complete study guide
Vocabulary Builder
Item 1
Walked silently on the tips of the toes to avoid being heard.
Item 2
Moved slowly and stealthily, trying not to be noticed.
Item 3
Ran very quickly with sudden urgency.
+ 7 more vocabulary words in the complete study guide
Critical Thinking
+ 5 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