The Basics
Explain a purpose for reading this story.
Answers will vary.
Ex: To learn about how the drought affected Calpurnia and her family.
How old is the main character?
11
Use one of the four vocabulary words in a sentence that helps us understand the meaning.
Example:
What did the family do at noon?
Laid down.
Why did Callie Vee want to cut her hair?
The others were doing it and it was HOT!
Who is the author of the story?
*Double Jeopardy for pronouncing the name correctly.
Jacqueline Kelly
List four minor characters.
*Double Jeopardy if you are able to list all 9
Four of: Grandfather, mother, Viola, Sam Houston, Harry, Lamar, Travis, Sul Ross, Jim Bowie
What does "midway" mean?
Halfway. (Acceptable: part way)
What was Callie Vee's plan with her hair?
To cut off an inch of her hair every week.
Who was the first to notice Callie Vee's hair changing?
Viola
How many paragraphs are in this story?
12
Who is Viola?
The family's cook.
What does "exhilaration" mean?
Excitement
What was a challenge for the whole family when it came to working?
The heat!
Why were the ants and other animals coming inside?
It was too hot and dry outside; they needed water.
First-person. We know because it is Calpurnia telling us the story (as the narrator). The author uses "I" "we" and "my" language.
How would you describe Calpurnia knowing she group up with a lot of brothers?
She is likely tomboyish and acts similar to her brothers.
What does "plague" mean?
A [widespread] disease
What does Harry give Callie Vee?
*Double Jeopardy if you can explain for what purpose.
A red leather notebook.
-To write what she sees in nature
What was in the egg salad?
Not pepper -- ants!
Explain the setting of the story and draw a picture of what you think it looks like.
A picture!
The setting is a farm in Texas during a drought.
What is Callie Vee's interest in by the end of the story?
Nature, animals, science, bugs.
What does "souvenir" mean?
A token to remember something by.
What did Callie Vee end up wanting to be?
*Double Jeopardy if you can explain what that means.
*Someone who studies the science of nature.
Why did mother give out a prize?
*Double Jeopardy: what was the prize?
She gave out a prize to the first person who could spot the first flicker of the fireflies.
*A small, blue silk medallion.