Vocabulary
What vocabulary word means moving slowly without much direction?
Who is the main character of Rent Party Jazz?
Sonny
What major problem do Sonny and Mama face?
They need money to pay their rent.
pp. 168–169: What is one detail showing that Sonny works hard?
He works with the coal man, delivering/working with coal and earning money.
What is one important message in Rent Party Jazz?
People can help one another during difficult times.
What vocabulary word means slightly wet?
Damp
Who is Sonny trying to help?
His mother, Mama
What does Sonny decide he needs to do to help Mama?
Find a way to earn/get money to help pay the rent.
pp. 170–171: What evidence shows Sonny cares about Mama?
He becomes concerned about their problem and tries to find a way to help her pay the rent.
How does the community help Sonny and Mama?
People participate in the rent party and contribute money/support.
What word means a public sale where items are sold to the person offering the most money?
Auction
Who does Sonny meet while listening to music in Jackson Square?
Smilin' Jack
Why is meeting Smilin' Jack important to the plot?
Smilin' Jack helps Sonny develop a way to solve his problem.
pp. 172–173: What event gives Sonny hope that his problem might have a solution?
Meeting Smilin' Jack.
What does Sonny learn from Smilin' Jack?
That people can help one another, and Sonny does not have to solve every problem alone.
In music, what is the part of a song that is repeated?
Chorus
Name one character trait that describes Sonny and give evidence.
Answers may include determined, responsible, caring, hardworking, or persistent, supported with evidence.
What plan does Sonny use to help raise the rent money?
He organizes/helps create a rent party where music brings people together and money is collected.
pp. 174–177: What evidence shows that other people are willing to help Sonny?
The neighbors/community participate in and support the plan for the rent party.
How does the setting affect the events of the story?
The historical/community setting helps explain Sonny's work, the family's financial challenge, jazz music, and how a rent party could bring people together to help.
If something is brimming, what does that mean?
It is filled to the top or overflowing/full.
How does Sonny change from the beginning to the end of the story?
At first he is worried about the family's problem and tries to solve it himself. By the end, he learns that people can help one another and that accepting/community help can solve difficult problems.
Why is the rent party the solution to more than just Sonny's money problem?
It brings the community together and shows Sonny that people can help and support one another.
pp. 178–180: What evidence shows Sonny has learned something important by the end?
Sonny reflects on how people can help one another and decides to work hard in school and learn all he can.
Which is more important to solving the problem: Sonny's determination or the community's willingness to help? Defend your answer.
Either answer can be correct if students support it with strong evidence. Sonny's determination starts the effort, while the community's cooperation ultimately helps make the solution successful.