Comprehension #1
Where did Ben move from?
Tuscon, Arizona.
Define the word "claimed".
a. stated/said
b. award
c. advance
a. State, said, assert
When we first met Ryan, how did Ben describe him?
Hyper/active
The author described Jenny as a "book sponge" is SPONGE used literally? Explain what it means
no, it's a figure of speech and it simply means that she reads a lot.
Why does Ben open the snake cage when he has been told not to go near it?
He is curious about what is in the cage, and once he opens it he can't close it.
What clues does the author use to contrast the characters of Ben, Ryan, and Frankie?
Their reactions to the mouse getting loose emphasize their differences: Ryan shrieks and yells, Frankie makes fun of the situation, and Ben keeps calm.
On page 18, Why are some of the words in italics?
They are Ben’s inner thoughts, quoted directly instead of being described.
On page 41, Mrs. Tibbets asks Ben to describe the difference between a frog’s skin and a toad’s skin, which has parotid glands. Using context clues, what are parotid glands?
They are the bumps behind a toad’s ears that make poison.
What does Ben miss about the dessert?
His friend Toby, the mice, lizards, snakes.
Define the word "deflated".
a. lost
b. flatten
c. explode
To let air out, flatten
How is Ben different from Frankie and Ryan?
Ben has only been in school for two months so he doesn't really have that many friends yet and the other boys have lots of friends
Why does Ben put the frog he found, in his backyard, in his pocket?
He wants to show it to Mrs. Tobbets so she can tell him what type of frog it is.
Why does Ben lie to Mrs. Tibbets? Be specific!!!
Because he knows he has done something wrong and he doesn't want to disappoint her.
What do Ben’s responses to challenges reveal about his character?
Even though Ben didn’t let the mouse loose, he did take it out of the cage. He feels responsible and wants to fix the situation. When Ben is afraid Ryan will crush the mouse, Ben “lets go,” letting the mouse jump onto the floor. Most of the kids panic, but Ben pushes “his way through the crowd,” saying “I’ll get it!”
Reading Chapter 1 & 2, How does reading Ben’s thoughts directly affect the way the reader gets to know him?
The reader feels more connected to Ben, knowing what goes on inside his mind.
On page 44, Mr. Nickelby asks if the class is studying amphibians. What are amphibians?
Amphibians are small vertebrates that need water, or a moist environment, to survive. The species in this group include frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts. All can breathe and absorb water
Who is Mrs. Tibbets?
Ben's Science teacher
Define the word "species"
a. a specific fish
b. a group of a living organism from the same kind
c. an environment
b. A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals or animals
What do Ben, Frankie, and Ryan have in common? Be specific!!!!!!!!
They are all 5th graders in Mrs. Tibbets science class.
What is Ben's conflict regarding Danny's party?
Ben wants to make friends but he also loves the woods, so he's torn between attending the party or helping Mrs. Tibbets
Why does Ben feel uncomfortable with Mrs. Tibbets in school?
He feels guilty about letting the snakes escape, so he has a hard time looking at her
On page 3 Point out how the author introduces a character and describes his actions and traits, as well as how other characters respond to him. This information conveys what the character is like.
Ryan Brisson starts pounding on a desk not far from the table. “Ben! Ben!” he yells. “Sit here!”… Ryan’s a skinny little kid who wears glasses. One of the lenses is covered over with a patch, and the other lens magnifies his good eye. He’s always peering at people out of that one big eye. He’s the most hyper kid that Ben has ever met. It’s like his mother gives him a pound of sugar right before he leaves for school every day. He drives Ben crazy. He drives the other kids crazy. He even drives the teachers crazy.
If we focus on the fifth paragraph on page 18. What specific descriptive and sensory details and concrete words the author includes. How do these elements create vivid images and help the reader “experience” the setting.
The ground is like a soaked sponge—the water wells up around his shoes. The smell of the wet earth fills the heavy air. He’s never seen this much water lying around before.
In Mrs. Tibbets’s response, she uses the phrase “according to the curriculum.” What does curriculum mean?
The term curriculum refers to the lessons and academic content taught or in a specific course or program. ... Example, would be the specific learning standards, lessons, assignments, and materials used to organize and teach a particular course.
What happens on the first day of school, in Mrs. Tibbets?
Ben takes the mouse out of the cage and Ryan takes it from him and the mouse goes loose creating chaos in the classroom.
Define the word "Biomes"
a. A gnome that likes science.
b. The home in which a species live.
c. The home of flowers.
b. The home in which a species live.
Name three character traits to describe Ben.
Loves nature, homesick, loves animals.....
How does Ben find comfort after a day that didn't go well?
He goes into the woods and enjoys the sounds and sights of the huge living machine
What does Toby tell Ben happened to Lenny the lizard?
Toby tells him he has died
On page 3, which includes details about the main character’s thoughts and feelings:
Ben wishes he had a real friend. Not like Jenny, who only talks to him because she sits in front of him. Or Ryan, who is officially wacko. He’d like to find someone like Toby, his best friend back in Tucson.
How do Ben’s responses on page 41–42 help you get to know him as a character?
Ben’s answers suggest that he knows a lot about frogs and toads. He also asks Mrs. Tibbets questions, which suggests that he is curious about nature and wants to learn more.
On page 28, Ben slogs across the lawn and passes underneath the trees. What does the word "slogs" mean?
To walk or progress with a slow heavy pace; plod: slog across the swamp.
What point of view is the story written in?
Third person.
Describe the word "baffled"
a. bewildered/confused
b. explain
c. encourage
a. Bewildered, confused
Describe Mrs. Tibbets?
She's calm, laidback and loves nature/animals just like Ben.
What Mrs. Tibbets tell Ben NEVER to do while he is at her house?
To NEVER go near the rattlesnakes
How might the woods setting influence Ben to confess to Mrs. Tibbets about the snakes?
In the woods, Ben is more relaxed so it was easier for him to confess.
On page 13, Jenny is described as a “book sponge.” Is sponge used literally? How can you tell what this figure of speech means?
No, it is a figure of speech. The next sentences explain that Jenny reads a lot, so she soaks up books like a sponge.
Focus on pages 37–38, how does the author establishes the third-person limited point of view through word choice
It’s too good of a secret to keep. Ben wants to share it with someone, even if it’s only Ryan. He pulls out the frog. As soon as he does, he realizes it’s a mistake.
What does errands mean?
An errand is a short trip that you make in order to do a job and/or accomplish various goals. To go out and complete a certain task.
Look at page 19. Shed is used as an adjective in the text. What is the shed skin of a snake? What does shed mean when it is a noun?
The outer layer of skin that a snake discards when it is outgrown.(a small building)
On page 27, why does Ben “[have] to get out of the house”? Use details from the text to explain.
He is “a grouch.” Some of the reasons are that he is upset about Frankie’s teasing, he misses Arizona, he is upset that his box from his old house has not arrived, he doesn’t like the weather, and his sister is being a pest.
What does Ben miss about the desert? Use details from the text to support your answer.
He misses his relationship with the people at the Desert Museum, and his friend Toby. He also misses the landscape and animals: the river wash, mice, lizards, javelinas, and snakes.
Look at page 31. Why does Ben put the frog in his pocket? Why does he decide to keep it? Why in the garage?
He wonders what Mrs. Tibbets could tell him about the frog, because he likes learning about animals. He might want to find out why or how the frog makes that sound. He wants to have something that is his own, that no one else knows about. He might feel homesick for his terrarium and want to have an animal of his own.
Do you think it was a good idea for Ben to convince his parents to leave the toad in the laundry room? Use details from the text to support why or why not
Ben “was happy and so was the toad,” and the toad ate the spiders in the laundry room. No: Ben knows a lot about animals and he should have known that a toad belongs outside in its natural environment, even if it “doesn’t seem to care where it is.”
On page 18, and discuss the following questions: Find an example of precise word choice that adds meaning to your understanding. Explain your choice
“Whipped” instead of “blew” makes a strong impression on the reader. “Everything races and crashes” gives living traits to weather. It makes the weather and the environment seem like something you can interact with instead of just being affected by.
Go to page 40, what point of view clearly shows story events from Ben’s perspective
Ben feels sick to his stomach. He knows he’s in hot water, but he’s more worried about the frog. He never should have brought it into school. He’s about to go grab the creature and is ready to take whatever punishment he gets, but Mrs. Tibbets bends over and grasps the frog at its hips.
On page 48, what does the word hesitates mean?
Refers to the action of pausing or stalling owing to indecisiveness or uncertainty.
When Ben reaches for the notebook and reads it, what were the three things he seen written
Crackers, cheese and chores
On page 34, Ben speaks into the phone and says "HELLO" What did the voice on the other end say?
Hey..... Snakeman
Who does Ben write an email to save him from the monsters in Massachusetts
Toby
Who was in the middle of the swamp in dress clothes?
Ben's dad
Agatha states that ever since they moved, her brother has been a big "grumpy grouch". After Ben yells, who gets mad?
His mother...
Who pooped on Frankie's hands
The frog/toad
On page 47, who are the two teachers that Ben likes?
Mrs. Tibbets & Mrs. Kutcher
On page 38, Ben pleads with C'mon and Frankie.... Why? What does the word "plead" mean?
Ask (someone) earnestly or humbly for something and not letting up