Chasing Vermeer - The Book Umbrella Novel Studies

Chasing Vermeer
Table of Contents
Novel Study Title Page for Students.............................. 3
Dictionary Detective! Chapters 13 – 15........................ 24
Before Reading....................................................................... 4
Vocabulary Study Chapters 13 – 15............................... 25
Who is Blue Balliett?............................................................ 5
Understanding the Story Chapters 13 – 15................ 26
My Character Chart.............................................................. 6
Chapter Summary Chapters 13 – 15............................. 27
Dictionary Detective! Chapters 1 – 3............................. 8
Dictionary Detective! Chapters 16 – 18........................ 28
Vocabulary Study Chapters 1 – 3.................................... 9
Vocabulary Study Chapters 16 – 18............................... 29
Understanding the Story Chapters 1 – 3..................... 10
Understanding the Story Chapters 16 – 18................ 30
Chapter Summary Chapters 1 – 3.................................. 11
Chapter Summary Chapters 16 – 18............................. 31
Dictionary Detective! Chapters 4 – 6............................. 12
Dictionary Detective! Chapters 19 – 21........................ 32
Vocabulary Study Chapters 4 – 6.................................... 13
Vocabulary Study Chapters 19 – 21............................... 33
Understanding the Story Chapters 4 – 6..................... 14
Understanding the Story Chapters 19 – 21................ 34
Chapter Summary Chapters 4 – 6.................................. 15
Chapter Summary Chapters 19 – 21............................. 35
Dictionary Detective! Chapters 7 – 9............................. 16
Dictionary Detective! Chapters 22 – 24........................ 36
Vocabulary Study Chapters 7 – 9.................................... 17
Vocabulary Study Chapters 22 – 24............................... 37
Understanding the Story Chapters 7 – 9..................... 18
Understanding the Story Chapters 22 – 24................ 38
Chapter Summary Chapters 7 – 9.................................. 19
Chapter Summary Chapters 22 – 24............................. 39
Dictionary Detective! Chapters 10 – 12........................ 20
Time for a Test!....................................................................... 40
Vocabulary Study Chapters 10 – 12............................... 21
Reading Log............................................................................ 42
Understanding the Story Chapters 10 – 12................ 22
Answer Key.............................................................................. 43
Chapter Summary Chapters 10 – 12............................. 23
Common Core State Standards....................................... 61
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Name:____________________________________________
Date:_________________________________________
Before Reading
Title of Book:
Author of Book:
Have you read anything by this author before? If so, what was it?
Look at the front cover. What hints do you think it gives about the story?
Read the back cover. What do you learn about the story from the back cover?
Based on the front and back covers, do you want to read this book? Why or why not?
Chasing Vermeer
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Name:____________________________________________
Date:_______________________________________________
Dictionary Detective!
Chapters 1 - 3
Using a dictionary, find the definitions for the words below.
discriminating
Definition:
convention
Definition:
pursuit
Definition:
justice
Definition:
agitated
Definition:
mediocre
Definition:
Chasing Vermeer
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Name:____________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________
Vocabulary Study
Chapters 1 - 3
Match Up
Match the words in the left column to their definitions in the right column.
justice •
• the act of chasing
mediocre •
• noting differences
discriminating •
• ordinary or medium-quality
pursuit •
• moral rightness
agitated •
• generally accepted practices
convention •
• disturbed
Fill in the Blank
Complete each sentence by filling in the blanks with the provided vocabulary.
pursuit
discriminating
mediocre
convention
justice
agitated
1. During the camping trip, Ryan was _________________________ by a mosquito that buzzed in his
ear all night.
2. My dog ran more and more quickly in _________________________ of the speedy rabbit.
3. Alicia knew that her science project could not be _________________________ if she wanted to
win the competition.
4. The taste tester was given the job of _________________________ between the different flavors
of the cookie.
5. Erik considered it an act of _________________________ to stand up to the school bully.
6. It is a _________________________ of Mrs. Opal’s class that students line up before dismissal.
A Little
Extra!
Petra often plays a game of asking herself questions that do not have
answers, such as “Why is yellow cheerful?” Write two of your own examples
of questions that do not have answers.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Chasing Vermeer
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Name:____________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________
Understanding the Story
Chapters 1 - 3
Multiple Choice
1. In Chapter 1, three mysterious deliveries
are made to three different people. What is
delivered to each person?
2. Outside of school, where do
Petra and Calder see their teacher,
Ms. Hussey, in Chapter 2?
(a) A package.
(b) A box.
(c) A letter.
(d) A card.
(a) At the grocery store.
(b) At the library.
(c) At the park.
(d) At the used book store.
Short Answer
3. Describe one similarity and one difference between Petra’s and Calder’s families.
Long Answer
4. Describe the assignment that Ms. Hussey gives to Calder’s class in Chapter 2. Why does Calder
find the assignment difficult?
A Little
Extra!
In Chapter 2, the students in Calder’s class discuss whether or not writing is
the most effective form of communication. What is your opinion? Which do
you believe is the most effective form of communication: writing, pictures,
numbers, talking, or something else? Explain your answer.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Chasing Vermeer
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:__________________________________________
Chapter Summary
Chapters 1 - 3
1. If you were to give a title to this section of the book, what would it be?
2. What happens in these chapters?
3. What is your favorite part of this section of the book?
4. What new words did you learn
in these chapters?
Chasing Vermeer
5. Draw a picture of something you think
represents these chapters.
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Common Core State Standards
This novel study is aligned to the Common Core State Standards (U.S.)
Grade 4
RL4.1 Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing
inferences from the text.
RL4.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.
RL4.3 Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the
text (e.g., a character’s thoughts, words, or actions).
RL4.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to
significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean).
L4.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade
4 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
L4.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
Grade 5
RL5.1 Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing
inferences from the text.
RL5.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a
story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.
RL5.3 Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact).
RL5.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language
such as metaphors and similes.
L5.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade
5 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
L5.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
Grade 6
RL.6.1 Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn
from the text.
RL.6.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a
summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
RL.6.3 Describe how a particular story’s or drama’s plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the
characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution.
RL.6.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and
connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone
RL.6.5 Analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza fits into the overall structure of a text and
contributes to the development of the theme, setting, or plot.
RL.6.6 Explain how an author develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker in a text.
Novel Study
Chasing Vermeer
by Blue Balliett
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