DOUGLAS'S DILEMMA — Plot & Comprehension
What item in the store window immediately catches Douglas's attention?
The new tennis shoes/sneakers.
If an activity has been suspended, what has happened to it?
It has been temporarily stopped/paused.
Douglas spends a huge amount of time thinking and talking about the sneakers. What can you infer?
They are extremely important/desirable to him.
A reader claims that Douglas is determined to get the new sneakers. Which detail would BEST support that inference?
A. Douglas notices the sneakers in the store window.
B. Douglas talks with his father about needing new shoes.
C. Douglas creates a plan to work for Mr. Sanderson so he can earn the sneakers.
D. Douglas knows that Mr. Sanderson owns a shoe store.
Answer: C — Creating a plan and offering to work for the sneakers most directly demonstrates Douglas's determination.
What's Mr. Melfi's nickname?
Melf on the shelf!
When Douglas first talks about getting new sneakers, what does his father want him to explain?
Why he needs a new pair.
Your backpack tag breaks off and falls onto the floor. Which vocabulary word BEST describes the tag? Vocabulary terms: suspended, detached, and abandoned.
Detached
Instead of simply asking Mr. Sanderson to give him the shoes, Douglas develops a way to earn them. What does this suggest about Douglas?
He takes initiative/is responsible/resourceful/determined.
Complete the reasoning: Mr. Sanderson's facial expressions dramatically change after putting on the sneakers. This supports the idea that the sneakers affect him because ______.
His visible reaction shows that wearing them causes emotions/feelings to surface.
What common food can last for thousands of years without spoiling if it is stored properly?
Honey
What is the main problem keeping Douglas from getting the sneakers?
He realizes he will not be able to pay for them that summer.
An old building has broken windows, weeds everywhere, and hasn't been used in years. Which vocabulary word BEST describes it?
Abandoned.
Mr. Sanderson tells Douglas, “Anything you want to be, son...you'll be. No one will ever stop you.” What quality is he recognizing in Douglas?
His determination/persuasiveness.
The sneakers are more than ordinary shoes to Douglas. Which larger idea do they MOST clearly represent?
A. Responsibility
B. Teamwork
C. Freedom
D. Accomplishment
Answer: C — Freedom.
Which 6th grade teacher has met Bill Nye the science guy?
Mrs. Helcl
What proposal does Douglas make to Mr. Sanderson?
He offers to pay for/earn the sneakers by working for Mr. Sanderson.
Which situation BEST demonstrates suspended?
A. A game is temporarily stopped because of lightning.
B. A runner finishes a race.
C. A student loses a pencil.
D. A team practices after school.
A. A game is temporarily stopped because of lightning.
Mr. Sanderson's attitude changes after experiencing the sneakers himself. What has Douglas helped him reconnect with?
Feelings associated with youth/wearing sneakers/running that he hasn't experienced in a long time.
What literary term means that an object represents a larger idea?
Symbolism. The object is a symbol.
Which 6th grade teacher has sky-dived. bungee jumped, and zip-lined?
Mrs. Bishop!
What does Douglas's response to his problem reveal about his character? Explain using something he does.
He is determined/persistent/resourceful/persuasive. He doesn't give up; he develops a plan to work for the shoes and persuades Mr. Sanderson to consider it.
A reader says Douglas is determined to get the sneakers. Which detail BEST supports that inference?
A. He notices the sneakers in the window.
B. He talks to his father about shoes.
C. He creates a plan to work for Mr. Sanderson to earn them.
D. Mr. Sanderson owns a shoe store.
His plan and willingness to work most directly demonstrate determination.
Douglas changes Mr. Sanderson during their interaction. Explain ONE way.
He helps Mr. Sanderson reconnect with youthful feelings and experience the sneakers as more than ordinary merchandise.
Clue: Mr. Sanderson puts on the sneakers, and his face suddenly shows many changing emotions.
What does this reaction help the reader understand about what the sneakers symbolize?
A. They symbolize accomplishment because Mr. Sanderson owns a successful shoe store.
B. They symbolize responsibility because Douglas must work to earn them.
C. They symbolize freedom and youthful experience because wearing them reconnects Mr. Sanderson with feelings he has not experienced in a long time.
D. They symbolize teamwork because Douglas and Mr. Sanderson solve a problem together.
Answer: C — freedom and youthful experience.
Why: Mr. Sanderson's emotional reaction is evidence that the sneakers represent more than ordinary shoes. Wearing them reconnects him with feelings associated with youth, movement, and freedom.
Name all 5 STEAM houses & colors
Biruda – Red
Kayani – Purple
Mzushi – Orange
Reveur – Blue
Vodzala – Green