Vocabulary
What is the definition of Resentment:
to hold onto anger
Setting: Where and when does the story take place?
Kentucky, 1958
Why does the author include details about the National Guard?
to add information that increases tension in the plot
What is the climax of the story?
He forced her halfway to her knees with the strength of his fear and rage.
Does Serene have a suffix?
No
What is the definition of Lamenting:
to wail do to grief
Who is the main character?
John Hawkings
In “The First Day of School,” the main way that readers learn that this day is different from other days is through —
dialogue between John and his mother
Even though John hurts his sister, trying to keep her from going to school, he is actually trying to ________ her.
Protect
What is the suffix in Resentment?
-ment
What is a synonym for Serene?
Calm
Peaceful
Which lines describes the weather that day?
Summer was over, when the gracious oncoming of morning light and the stir of early breezes promised that time was a luxury.
The flashback in paragraphs 27–28 of “The First Day of School” affects the story by —
reflecting John’s fear of what is to come
What is the resolution of the story?
John overcomes his fears and walks to school with his sister and mother.
What is the suffix in Lamenting?
-ing
What is an antonym for Poised?
Nervous
Which details reveals information about the story’s historical setting?
The National Guard has been called to the town.
Angry protestors have gathered because schools are being integrated.
It is too dangerous for the children to walk to school alone.
Which two conflicts are at the center of “The First Day of School”?
John vs. society
John vs. his fears
Which quote from the text best represents the resolution to the story?
As they hesitated to listen, she put her hands to either side of her mouth and called to them the words she had so often used when she let them go away from home.
What does the suffix in Poised mean?
Past tense
(lingered: remained, dawdled, hung around) Which synonym would best replace the word lingered in paragraph 25 of “The First Day of School”?
Remained
Reread paragraphs 18–19. How does the setting reveal the conflict in the story?
John hears “the rain crow calling again.” On this day, John hopes the rain will come, causing fewer people to be at school to harass the black students. Yet the day is clear—“the sun had lain across the green Kentucky trees and the roofs of town like a clean, hard fire.” This detail confirms the story is set in the South. The fine weather adds to the conflict because it increases the chance that more protesters will be out.
In paragraphs 33–36, John realizes things about other members of his family. How does this episode help John resolve his own internal conflict?
John realizes that his sister views him as a coward because everyone else in the family is willing to make sacrifices to have the children attend a desegregated school. After acknowledging their brave actions, John decides to go to school willingly with his sister, and the conflict is resolved.
What is the theme of the story?
Do not let fear stop you
What does the suffix in Stealthily mean?
to do something in a specific way