TKAM Chapter 5: “That was when I supposed Jem and I first began to part…”

  1. Miss Maudie is described as a “reasonable” woman. Describe and discussthree ways she is reasonable. Consider such things as her treatment of children, opinions on gossip, dealing with ignorance, views of the Radley family, views on religious fanatics, and admiration of Atticus.
  2. Atticus confronts the children on the Boo Radley problem. Describe how he handles it like a lawyer, and explain how this makes Jem feel and why.
  3. Research the bird called a finch. List three facts about finches, and explain why you think Harper Lee chose finch as Atticus’ last name.
  4. In past history, a man named Atticus was a Roman scholar. His judgment was so honored that even Cicero submitted work to him for correction and criticism. Make some connections between what Atticus Finch says and how he behaves and the historical figure of Atticus the Roman. Then speculate on why Harper Lee may have chosen the name for Mr. Finch.

TKAM CHAPTER 6 IS ON PAGE 2.

TKAM Chapter 7: “As Atticus had once advised me to do, I tried to climb around into Jem’s skin and walk around in it.”

  1. Create a T chart and comparing Nathan Radley to Boo Radley.
  2. What does Jem tell Scout about his return from the Radley house?
  3. What happened to make Jem cry about the Radley family? How do you feel about the whole situation? What is your opinion about Boo at this time? About Nathan?
  4. Why doesn’t Scout understand why Jem is crying?

TKAM Chapter 8: “…the coldest weather since 1885.”

  1. Why doesn’t Atticus help carry out Maudie’s furniture?
  2. When Scout comes home with the mysterious blanket wrapped around her shoulders, “Jem seemed to have lost his mind. He began pouring out our secrets right and left…” What is it that Jem is trying to get Atticus to understand?
  3. Given what you know of Miss Maudie, explain her reaction to the loss of her house.

TKAM Chapter 9: “… the beginning of a rather thin time for Jem and me.”

  1. Who is Tom Robinson?
  2. Look closely at the reasons Atticus gives Scout for defending Tom Robinson. Also, look at his statement, “every lawyer gets at least one case in his lifetime that affects him personally. This one’s mine, I guess.” What is it about this case that strikes so deeply at what Atticus believes?
  3. Compare Scout’s reasons for walking away from schoolyard fights with Jem’s reasons for returning to the Radley’s to get his pants. How are the two situations similar and different? (question 4 on the next page)
  4. What lesson does Scout teach Uncle Jack about children, and what further lesson does Atticus add? What element do the two lessons have in common? Consider whether you agree with both lessons and be ready to defend your opinion.

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TKAM Chapter 6: Fill in these four squares thoughtfully and thoroughly!

Describe the children’s childhood prank and explain how the prank turns out. / List two acts of courage Jem performs. Then, list two ways Jem’s changing: describe his behavior in two specific events and explain what kind of change this shows.
Make a list of six things Scout has learned in the first 6 chapters.
(Page 2) / The reader stays home with Scout while Jem goes off to do his exciting deed. Speculate: Why did Harper Lee write the scene this way instead of having Scout go with Jem.

To Kill a Mockingbird Chapters 10 and 11 questions to be answered thoughtfully and thoroughly  Your brain thanks you! It needs the exercise. 

Chapter 10 questions:

“Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”

Right There Question

  1. In Scout’s eyes, what is Atticus’ chief fault?

Inference /Author and You Questions

  1. Why is it a sin to kill a mockingbird? What is the larger principle involved here?
  2. Consider vision symbols in the opening scene of this chapter and the shooting scene. Write a comment on your observations. You may want to consider the following questions: When does Atticus see well? What reason(s) can you think of that Harper Lee might have had for him break his glasses in the dog scene?
  3. Miss Maudie says, “I think maybe he put his gun down when he realized God had given him an unfair advantage over most living things. I guess he decided he wouldn’t shoot till he had to, and he had to today.” What other advantages does Atticus have? Does he use them when he doesn’t “have to”? Do you think it’s civilized to deny your gifts?

Chapter 11 questions:

“I wanted to see what courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.”

Right There Question

  1. Which two specific comments from Mrs. Dubose infuriate Jem to the point that he can’t control his temper?

Inference/ Author and You Questions

  1. What type of courage does Mrs. Dubose teach the children? What other events in the novel can you compare and contrast to this courage?
  2. Why doesn’t Atticus tell the children about Mrs. Dubose’s motives before her death? How might Jem have behaved if he had known- and what would he have failed to learn as a result?

**Calendar for next week: Monday, March 24, chp. 5, 6 due

Tuesday, March 25, chp. 7, 8 due

Wednesday, March 26, chp. 9 due

Thursday, March 27, chp. 10, 11 due

Friday, March 28, Quiz on chp. 1-11 and vocab. 5

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