Bridge to Terabithia
By Katherine Paterson
CHAPTER 1- Jesse Oliver Aarons, Jr.
Vocabulary-Illustrated Dictionary (word, definition, picture):
despised, grit, cuds, obediently, peculiar
Pre- What do YOU want to be the BEST at? Why?
SS- Now everyone would comprehend he’d been out and start in on him.
Post-
- Why does Jesse want to go outside so early in the morning?
- What is one of Jesse’s jobs?
CHAPTER 1-Jesse Oliver Aarons, Jr.
Vocabulary-Concept Circle (3 synonyms, 1 antonym):
despised, grit, cuds, obediently, peculiar
Pre- What do YOU want to be the BEST at? Why?
SS- Now everyone would comprehend he’d been out and start in on him.
Post-
- Jesse wants to hear his dad pull out of the driveway. Why?
- What’s something that seems unfair in this chapter? Why do you think so?
CHAPTER 1-Jesse Oliver Aarons, Jr.
Vocabulary-Word Association (school: books, teacher, desk, learning, fun, difficult, gym, pencil…):
despised, grit, cuds, obediently, peculiar
Pre- What do YOU want to be the BEST at? Why?
SS- Now everyone would comprehend he’d been out and start in on him.
Post-
- Jesse is called lazy. Do you agree with this? Defend your opinion.
- Do you admire Jesse? Why or why not?
CHAPTER 2-Leslie Burke *language
Vocabulary-Illustrated Dictionary (word, definition, picture):
nauseatingly, endure, anticipation, pandemonium, hypnotical, proverbial
Pre- What’s something you like to do when you’re by yourself? Why?
SS- He was the lone one who had to endure that stuff.
Post-
- What was Jesse doing in his room that he quickly hid?
- Who did Jesse meet?
CHAPTER 2- Leslie Burke *language
Vocabulary-Questioning (write a question using each word):
nauseatingly, endure, anticipation, pandemonium, hypnotical, proverbial
Pre- What’s something you like to do when you’re by yourself? Why?
SS- He was the lone one who had to endure that stuff.
Post-
- Why did Jesse quickly hide his paper and crayons?
- Describe Leslie Burke. Use character traits and details.
CHAPTER 2- Leslie Burke *language
Vocabulary- Newspaper Writing (write for 30 seconds without stopping about each word- anything that comes to mind):
nauseatingly, endure, anticipation, pandemonium, hypnotical, proverbial
Pre- What’s something you like to do when you’re by yourself? Why?
SS- He was the lone one who had to endure that stuff.
Post-
- “He thought his dad would be pleased. He wasn’t.” How has this reaction from his dad affected Jesse?
- Why do you think the exchange between Jesse and Leslie was awkward?
CHAPTER 3- The Fastest Kid in Fifth Grade
Vocabulary-Illustrated Dictionary (word, definition, picture):
inherited, roused, repulsive, conspicuous, toying, resisted, temptation, conceited
Pre- What would you do if there weren’t enough desks for everyone on the first day of school? Why?
SS- She came in first and turned her substantial shining eyes on a bunch of dense sweating irate faces.
Post-
- What is Mrs. Myers like?
- Who won the final race?
CHAPTER 3-The Fastest Kid in Fifth Grade
Vocabulary- Illustrating Words (draw a picture of what each word means to you):
inherited, roused, repulsive, conspicuous, toying, resisted, temptation, conceited
Pre- What would you do if there weren’t enough desks for everyone on the first day of school? Why?
SS- She came in first and turned her substantial shining eyes on a bunch of dense sweating irate faces.
Post-
- Describe Mrs. Myers. Be sure to use character traits and details from the text (t-chart).
- Were you surprised by who won the final race? Why or why not?
CHAPTER 3-The Fastest Kid in Fifth Grade
Vocabulary-Example/Non-example (give an example and a non-example of what each word means):
inherited, roused, repulsive, conspicuous, toying, resisted, temptation, conceited
Pre- What would you do if there weren’t enough desks for everyone on the first day of school? Why?
SS- She came in first and turned her substantial shining eyes on a bunch of dense sweating irate faces.
Post-
- Would you want to be in Mrs. Myer’s class? Why or why not?
- Wee you surprised by who won the final race? Who did you THINK was going to win the race? Why did you think so?
CHAPTER 4 Rules of Terabithia
Vocabulary-Illustrated Dictionary (word, definition, picture):
heats, consolation, consolidated, liable, contempt, insufficiencies, foes, siege, veiled, tacky
Pre- Make a list of things that you used to like, but don’t care for anymore.
SS-Darting wasn’t pleasurable anymore.
Post-
- What doesn’t Leslie have that the other kids have? How does she feel about it?
- What is Terabithia?
CHAPTER 4Rules of Terabithia
Vocabulary- Frayer Model (what it is, what it isn’t, what it’s like, definition):
heats, consolation, consolidated, liable, contempt, insufficiencies, foes, siege, veiled, tacky
Pre- Make a list of things that you used to like, but don’t care for anymore.
SS-Darting wasn’t pleasurable anymore.
Post-
- At school all of the kids were giving Leslie hard time. Why were they doing that?
- Where’s Terabithia? Why do Jesse and Leslie go there?
CHAPTER 4 Rules of Terabithia
Vocabulary-Quick Draw (first, put each vocab word onto a card, and then put them face down into a pile. Then, play quick draw with a buddy in your group. Take turns drawing the meaning of each word until you have guessed them all):
heats, consolation, consolidated, liable, contempt, insufficiencies, foes, siege, veiled, tacky
Pre- Make a list of things that you used to like, but don’t care for anymore.
SS-Darting wasn’t pleasurable anymore.
Post-
- Why don’t you think Leslie has a tv? Give 2 POSSIBLE explanations.
- Describe Terabithia. Then, sketch a picture of what you think it looks like.
CHAPTER 5 The Giant Killers
Vocabulary-Illustrated Dictionary (word, definition, picture):
revenge, vigorously, regicide, crimson
Pre- Think of a time you felt empathy for someone. When? Why?
SS-You made her that infuriated?
Post-
- Who took May Belle’s Twinkies?
- What did Leslie and Jesse do to get back at Janice?
CHAPTER 5 The Giant Killers
Vocabulary-My Word Meaning (write a definition for each word BEFORE you look it up, then, look up the word to find out its actual meaning):
revenge, vigorously, regicide, crimson
Pre- Think of a time you felt empathy for someone. When? Why?
SS-You made her that infuriated?
Post-
- Janice Avery took the Twinkies from MayBelle. What was the result of this action?
- How do you think Janice felt once she realized William Hughes wasn’t coming? Why?
CHAPTER 5 The Giant Killers
Vocabulary-Character Connection (now that you know Jess, what could the words mean to him?):
revenge, vigorously, regicide, crimson
Pre- Think of a time you felt empathy for someone. When? Why?
SS-You made her that infuriated?
Post-
- Jesse and Leslie thought carefully about how to get Janice Avery back for taking MayBelle’s Twinkies. DO you think their revenge was successful? Why or why not?
- How did you feel for Janice Avery as she got onto the bus? Give TWO feelings and link details from the text to support your feelings.
CHAPTER 6 The Coming of Prince Terrien
Vocabulary-Illustrated Dictionary (word, definition, picture):
consolidated, speculation, egged, splurged
Pre- Make a list of presents that you could give that only cost a little bit of money.
SS-He tried to presume later what had made him so livid.
Post-
- What did Jesse give Leslie for Christmas?
- What did Leslie give Jesse?
CHAPTER 6 The Coming of Prince Terrien
Vocabulary-My Connection (write down a connection you have with each word):
consolidated, speculation, egged, splurged
Pre- Make a list of presents that you could give that only cost a little bit of money.
SS- He tried to presume later what had made him so livid.
Post-
- Jess was frustrated thinking about Christmas. Why do you think so?
- What’s special about the gift that Leslie gave to Jess?
CHAPTER 6 The Coming of Prince Terrien
Vocabulary-Schema Words (write down all of the words that you think of associated with each word):
consolidated, speculation, egged, splurged
Pre- Make a list of presents that you could give that only cost a little bit of money.
SS- He tried to presume later what had made him so livid.
Post-
- Why do you think that Jess gave Leslie the present that he did?
- “It felt like Christmas again.” What does this quote really mean?
CHAPTER 7 The Golden Room
Vocabulary-Illustrated Dictionary (word, definition, picture):
reluctant, exiled, realm, obliged, vile, ignorant
Pre- List things that you could do for someone if they are sad.
SS- Though the vocation was tribute enough.
Post-
- Why weren’t Jess and Leslie hanging out as much at the beginning of this chapter?
- Leslie had 1 ½ friends now. Who is she counting as being ½ of a friend?
CHAPTER 7 The Golden Room
Vocabulary-Antonym Activity (write an antonym for each word):
reluctant, exiled, realm, obliged, vile, ignorant
Pre- List things that you could do for someone if they are sad.
SS- Though the vocation was tribute enough.
Post-
- Jess began to resent Bill. Why do you think so?
- Leslie has great character. Support this statement with details from the text.
CHAPTER 7 The Golden Room
Vocabulary-Describe the Word (It’s kind of like ______, It looks like ______, It’s when you ______, It’s where you go to ______, It smells like ______, You use it when ______):
reluctant, exiled, realm, obliged, vile, ignorant
Pre- List things that you could do for someone if they are sad.
SS- Though the vocation was tribute enough.
Post-
- Jess spent a lot of time resenting the time Leslie spent with her dad, Bill. What do you think should he have done instead?
- Leslie has great character. Think of a time that YOU did something so impressive. Describe it.
CHAPTER 8 Easter
Vocabulary-Illustrated Dictionary (word, definition, picture):
wheedling, complacent, rhythmically, spectacle, dunce, clamber, flounce, unison
Pre- Have you ever been to some kind of church? What was it like?
SS- And his mother had been petrified Leslie might mortify her.
Post-
- Where does Leslie want to go with the Aaron’s?
- How is your Easter similar to the Aaron’s?
CHAPTER 8 Easter
Vocabulary-Parts of Speech (for each word sort the vocabulary word into known, verb, adjective):
wheedling, complacent, rhythmically, spectacle, dunce, clamber, flounce, unison
Pre- Have you ever been to some kind of church? What was it like?
SS- And his mother had been petrified Leslie might mortify her.
Post-
- Why do you think that Leslie wants to go to church with the Aaron’s? Give two possible reasons why.
- Use a Venn diagram to compare your Easter with the Aaron’s Easter.
CHAPTER 8 Easter
Vocabulary-Performing Words (act out each word as a group):
wheedling, complacent, rhythmically, spectacle, dunce, clamber, flounce, unison
Pre- Have you ever been to some kind of church? What was it like?
SS- And his mother had been petrified Leslie might mortify her.
Post-
- Why do you think that Jess wants Leslie to go to church with them? Give at lease two possibilities.
- Compare your Easter with the Aarons.
CHAPTER 9 The Evil Spell
Vocabulary-Illustrated Dictionary (word, definition, picture):
earnest, conspiring, confine, sadden, sporadically, repented
Pre-What is something that frightens you?
SS-It was the equivalent words that Jess’ mother might have manipulated, but it didn’t come out the same manner.
Post-
- Why is Jess frightened by the rain?
- Would you keep going to Terabithia? Why or why not?
CHAPTER 9 The Evil Spell
Vocabulary-Concept Circle (3 synonyms, 1 antonym):
earnest, conspiring, confine, sadden, sporadically, repented
Pre- What is something that frightens you?
SS- It was the equivalent words that Jess’ mother might have manipulated, but it didn’t come out the same manner.
Post-
- It keeps raining. How does this affect Jess?
- If you were Jess, what would you say to Leslie if she wanted to go to Terabithia on Thursday? Be specific.
CHAPTER 9 The Evil Spell
Vocabulary-Word Sort (sort the words into groups. Be sure to explain why you chose to sort the words the way you did):
earnest, conspiring, confine, sadden, sporadically, repented
Pre- What is something that frightens you?
SS- It was the equivalent words that Jess’ mother might have manipulated, but it didn’t come out the same manner.
Post-
- “Lord, it would be better to be born without an arm than to go through life with no guts.” Do you agree or disagree with this quote? Be sure to explain your thoughts.
- What would YOU do if your friend wanted to do something that you’re scared of? Explain.
CHAPTER 10 The Perfect Day
Vocabulary-Illustrated Dictionary (word, definition, picture):
idly, flank, suppress, sacred
Pre- If I took you somewhere, where do you think we’d go? Why?
SS- He may not have been born with innards, but he didn’t have to expire without them.
Post-
- Where did Jess go with Miss Edmunds?
- What happened to Leslie?
CHAPTER 10 The Perfect Day
Vocabulary-Questioning (write a question using each word):
idly, flank, suppress, sacred
Pre- If I took you somewhere, where do you think we’d go? Why?
SS- He may not have been born with innards, but he didn’t have to expire without them.
Post-
- Why do you think Miss Edmunds asked Jess to go to Washington with her?
- What do you think happened to Leslie? Why do you think so?
CHAPTER 10 The Perfect Day
Vocabulary-Story Writing (Write a short story using all of the words in it):
idly, flank, suppress, sacred
Pre- If I took you somewhere, where do you think we’d go? Why?
SS- He may not have been born with innards, but he didn’t have to expire without them.
Post-
- Give two reasonable reasons for Miss Edmunds to invite Jess to Washington instead of anyone else.
- What do you think Jess is thinking after getting the news at the end of the chapter? Explain why you think so.
CHAPTER 11 No!
Vocabulary-Illustrated Dictionary (word, definition, picture):
dredging, accusation, doused
Pre-Have you ever lost someone close to you? What was it like?
SS-Something reeled around inside Jess’ head.
Post-
- How did Leslie die?
- What’s happening in the picture on page 105?
CHAPTER 11 No!
Vocabulary-Illustrating Words (draw a picture of what each word means to you):
dredging, accusation, doused
Pre- Have you ever lost someone close to you? What was it like?
SS- Something reeled around inside Jess’ head.
Post-
- Why do you think Jess is having a hard time believing that Leslie is gone?
- Describe the picture on page 105. Include emotions and details.
CHAPTER 11 No!
Vocabulary- Charades (put each word on a card. Split into two teams. Play charades with each word):
dredging, accusation, doused
Pre- Have you ever lost someone close to you? What was it like?
SS- Something reeled around inside Jess’ head.
Post-
- Jess refuses to believe Leslie is gone. What do you think two reasons for this are?
- Why is the picture on page 105 significant? Be specific with your answer.
CHAPTER 12 Stranded *sad
Vocabulary-Illustrated Dictionary (word, definition, picture):
imitate, peculiar
Pre- Think of a time when you felt ALONE even though you were surrounded by people. Describe it.
SS- I am currently the swiftest runner in 5th grade.
Post-
- Why was everyone so sad at Bill’s house?
- Why do you think Jess threw all of his paints and paper in the water?
CHAPTER 12 Stranded *sad
Vocabulary-Frayer Model (what it is, what it isn’t, what it’s like, definition):
imitate, peculiar
Pre- Think of a time when you felt ALONE even though you were surrounded by people. Describe it.
SS- I am currently the swiftest runner in 5th grade.
Post-
- Jess was mad at everyone that was so sad at Bill’s house. Why do you think so?
- “I hate her,” Jess said about Leslie. Do you believe him? Why or why not? What is one possible reason he may have said this?
CHAPTER 12 Stranded *sad
Vocabulary-Synonym Search (list as many synonyms for each word as you can find):
imitate, peculiar
Pre- Think of a time when you felt ALONE even though you were surrounded by people. Describe it.
SS- I am currently the swiftest runner in 5th grade.
Post-
- Do you think Bill and Judy should have asked Jess’ opinion on what to do with Leslie? Why or why not?
- “I hate her. I wish I never seen her in my whole life.” Do you believe Jess? Why or why not? Why do you think Jess said this? Give 2 possible reasons why he may have said it.
CHAPTER 13 Building the Bridge