Vocabulary
Define massive
Very large
What is the conflict in the story?
Ricky has a flat side and cannot roll down the hill.
Who is the central character in the book?
Ricky
Read the following description of the rocks working together:
"They gathered up some vines and some colorful bits of moss..." How does the author’s choice of the word "gathered" instead of "grabbed" or "took" affect the tone of the scene?
A. It creates a sense of frantic energy, showing the rocks are in a hurry.
B. It suggests a thoughtful, deliberate, and gentle process of helping their friend.
C. It implies that the rocks are stealing materials from the forest.
D. It makes the rocks seem lazy, as if they are just picking up what is nearby.
B. It suggests a thoughtful, deliberate, and gentle process of helping their friend.
True or false:
The tiny pebbles rolling down the hill are examples of sediments.
True
Define sturdy
To be firm, well-built, and not easily broken.
What is the theme of the story?
Answers will vary- Mrs. Cava will decide.
At the beginning of the story, the author describes the rocks as "strong and sturdy" and "ready to roll." How does this specific word choice create a contrast with Ricky’s character?
A. It implies that the other rocks are better than Ricky because they are round.
B. It establishes a "norm" for the group, making Ricky’s "flatness" feel like a more significant problem.
C. It suggests that the other rocks are aggressive and do not want Ricky to join them.
D. It shows that the rocks are tired of rolling and want to find a new hobby.
B. It establishes a "norm" for the group, making Ricky’s "flatness" feel like a more significant problem.
Throughout the text, the friends’ dialogue is filled with encouragement and brainstorming. What does the author’s use of language in these conversations reveal about the "culture" of the rock community?
A. The community is competitive, as each rock wants to be the one to solve the problem.
B. The community is exclusive, only helping Ricky because they feel sorry for him.
C. The community is collaborative, valuing the inclusion of every member over individual play.
D. The community is disorganized, as they cannot agree on a single plan.
C. The community is collaborative, valuing the inclusion of every member over individual play.
What kind of rock do you think Ignatious is?
Igneous
Define resilient
Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.
Analyze the middle of the story. How does the author develop the theme of "collective problem-solving" through the actions of the other rocks?
A. By showing that each rock tried to roll Ricky individually before giving up.
B. By highlighting how the rocks set aside their own play to brainstorm and combine their efforts.
C. By demonstrating that the rocks blamed the hill for being too steep for Ricky.
D. By portraying the rocks as competitive, each trying to find the best solution to win a prize.
B. By highlighting how the rocks set aside their own play to brainstorm and combine their efforts.
How does the author use the character of Bip the Beetle to move the plot forward?
A. Bip provides the technical solution to Ricky’s flat bottom.
B. Bip encourages the other rocks to stop playing and listen to Ricky.
C. Bip acts as a narrator who explains why the rocks are rolling.
D. Bip shows that even the smallest characters can offer support and ideas.
D. Bip shows that even the smallest characters can offer support and ideas.
The author uses personification by giving the rocks "worried faces" and "helpful hearts." What is the primary purpose of using this figurative language?
A. To teach the reader about the different types of minerals found in rocks.
B. To allow the reader to empathize with the rocks' emotions and understand their motivations.
C. To show that the rocks are actually humans wearing costumes.
D. To distract the reader from the fact that rocks cannot actually move on their own.
B. To allow the reader to empathize with the rocks' emotions and understand their motivations.
Define weathering
the natural process of breaking down rocks, soil, and minerals into smaller pieces over time using wind, water, ice, and plants
Define lumber in the context of the sentence:
He lumbered down the hallway.
To move or go somewhere in a slow, heavy way
Based on the exposition of the story, how does Ricky’s physical "flatness" contribute to the plot’s primary conflict?
A. It causes a disagreement among the rocks about who is allowed to play on the hill.
B. It creates an internal struggle for Ricky, who feels defined by his limitations rather than his potential.
C. It acts as an external barrier that prevents Ricky from joining the communal activity of the group.
D. It represents the environmental dangers that the rocks face while rolling down the hill.
C. It acts as an external barrier that prevents Ricky from joining the communal activity of the group.
How does Ricky’s internal character development change from the rising action to the resolution?
A. He starts off angry at the hill and ends up angry at his friends.
B. He begins with a sense of "learned helplessness" but ends with a sense of belonging and agency.
C. He remains sad throughout the story, only rolling because his friends forced him to.
D. He moves from being the leader of the group to being a follower who needs help.
B. He begins with a sense of "learned helplessness" but ends with a sense of belonging and agency.
Read this excerpt from the book:
"He sat on the grass with a sad, steady gaze, watching his friends play for hours and days." How does the author’s use of imagery and rhythm in this line affect the reader’s perception of Ricky’s situation?
A. The upbeat rhythm suggests that Ricky is actually happy to have a break from rolling.
B. The repetitive "steady gaze" and "hours and days" emphasize the weight of Ricky’s isolation and the passage of time.
C. The imagery of the grass provides a sense of comfort, showing that Ricky is safe where he is.
D. The rhyme scheme creates a sense of urgency, making the reader feel that Ricky needs to move quickly.
B. The repetitive "steady gaze" and "hours and days" emphasize the weight of Ricky’s isolation and the passage of time.
What is erosion?
the scientific process where wind, water, or ice drops sand, soil, and tiny rocks (sediment) in a new location, creating landforms
Define venture
A risky or daring journey or undertaking.
What is the climax of the story?
Ricky starts to roll.
Choose a character trait for Ricky and find a quote from the book that proves your answer.
Answers will vary
The author describes the solution as a "grand plan" involving mud, vines, and teamwork. What does this specific word choice reveal about the author's tone toward the characters?
A. A mocking tone, suggesting the rocks are being overly dramatic about a simple problem.
B. A skeptical tone, implying that the plan is likely to fail because it is too complex.
C. An appreciative tone, celebrating the creativity and determination of the characters.
D. A formal tone, focusing strictly on the technical steps of the rocks' invention.
C. An appreciative tone, celebrating the creativity and determination of the characters.
Walk us through the rock cycle
Answers will vary