Wringer, by Jerry Spinelli: A Novel Study Created by Jean Martin

This 32 page packet includes a ready-to-use 23 page student booklet plus answer key to use with students in grades 4-8 who are reading the novel, Wringer, by Jerry Spinelli. The student workbook is divided into five reading assignments (about 40 pages each) with comprehension activities to go with each one.

Essential reading and writing skills that support Common Core Standards are addressed in the activities. They include summarizing, visualizing, determining author's purpose, inference, comprehension, responding to literature, simile/metaphors, defining, and recognizing character traits.

The novel studies I create are intended to make the student's reading experience richer and the teacher's life easier. They can be copied (duplexed or single sided) and stapled along the side to make a workbook and then put to use that very same day! I design them to support the text and to support Common Core Standards. They can be given to a parent or aide to direct a book club or literature circle or discussion group. They can be used as class work or as homework. They can be used to assess student understanding. I hope you will find them as helpful and all-encompassing as I have!

WRINGER in a nutshell:

Award-winning author, Jerry Spinelli, has produced another Newbery Award winner: this time a Newbery Honor Book Award. In this book, the reader is introduced to Palmer whose life is deeply affected by the possibility of becoming a wringer: a dreaded, evil word in his vocabulary. As it gets closer to his tenth birthday, the intensity of needing to make a stand for what he thinks is right becomes unbearably strong, even though he knows it will cost him his coveted popularity with his gang of friends. It is a book that should inspire readers to stand up for what is right at all costs and to learn to listen to their hearts. Powerfully written.

Appropriate for students in grades 4-8. Reading level is approximately 5th grade.

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