Seventh Grade

by Gary Soto

Name______Period_____

BEFORE READING QUESTION

All of us have times when we’re eager to make a good impression- to win the approval of parents, teachers or friends. But influencing how others see us isn’t always easy.

What tips have you heard about how to make a good impression? Create a list of the suggestions you think are most effective.

Why may someone want to make a good impression?

______

It’s natural to want people to like you. Explain if it is ever right to pretend to know more than you do.

______

In “Seventh Grade,” a boy finds that trying to make a good impression can lead to some embarrassing moments. Can you think of a time where you may have been embarrassed in school? Write a few sentences in your journal about your experience.

VOCABULARY

Directions: Using the PowerPoint, write the definition and part of speech of each vocabulary word.

Vocabulary Word / Definition
quiver
linger
portly
ferocity
sheepishly
unison

SEVENTH GRADE

Vocabulary Practice

quiverportlysheepishly

lingerferocityunison

A. Use context clues to determine which word from the box best completes the sentence. Write the word in the space provided.

1. The football coach said the team needed ______and complete commitment to win.

2. Knowing that Teresa was nearby, Victor would ______in the hallway instead of going straight to class.

3. When Michael scowled, his upper lip would ______slightly, although the rest of his face was did not move.

4. The student raised her hand confidently, but when she realized she did not know the answer, she put it down ______.

5. Mr. Lucas was a ______man, but he was light on his feet.

6. The speech was unclear when Michael and Teresa spoke in ______, so they decided to speak one at a time.

B. For each word in the first column, find a word or phrase in the second column that has the opposite meaning. Write the letter of that phrase on the line.

____ 1. ferocityA. separately

____ 2. lingerB. hurry away

____ 3. portlyC. boldly

____ 4. quiverD. gentleness

____ 5. sheepishlyE. stay still

____ 6. unisonF. slim

C. Write a paragraph in your journal about what things were like for you during your first few days of seventh grade. Include at least three vocabulary words. You must have at least 5 complete sentences.

Name ______Date ______

SEVENTH GRADE

Literary Analysis

Plot

A plot is what happens in a story. Look for these parts of a plot:

• The exposition introduces the characters and setting and often the conflict, or struggle between forces.

• Rising action shows how the conflict gets more complicated.

• The climax is the moment of greatest interest.

• Falling action and resolution show the outcome.

Directions: Make a list of the most important events in the story. Then plot the events on the diagram that follows.

1.Victor gets his class schedule, which includes French class.

2.______

3.______

4.______

5.______

6.______

7.______

Name ______Period ______

SEVENTH GRADE

Reading Strategy

Connect

When you connect with characters in a story, you find common ground with the characters by relating your knowledge and experiences with theirs.

Directions: As you read, use this chart to help you make connections. Note events and details from the story. Then describe these events relate to your own experiences. The example shows how one student connected to the story. Your own connection to the same event might be different.

What’s Happening in the Story / Connection to My Life
Victor waits half an hour for his class schedule. / I had to wait even longer than that on the first day of school last year.

SEVENTH GRADE

Literary Analysis: Question Support

Directions: Answer each question.

1. Recall What is the main reason Victor wants to take French?

______

2. Recall How does Victor respond when Teresa talks to him after homeroom?

______

3. Summarize Explain the events that happen after Victor tells Mr. Bueller that he speaks French.

______

4. ConnectReview the chart you completed on p.6. What is the strongest connection you made with this story?

______

This connection helped me understand the story because ______.

5. Compare and Contrast Write M next to the things that only Michael does. Write V next to the things only Victor does. Write B next to the things that both Michael and Victor do.

___ a. scowls all the time ___ c. pretends he can speak French

___ b. tries to impress other people ___ d. worries about what others think

How do Michael and Victor’s efforts give the story tension- and humor?

______

6. Make Inferences Mr. Bueller knows that Victor cannot speak French, but he does not say anything. Write X next to the statement that best explains why Mr. Bueller keeps the truth to himself.

___ a. He is so angry with Victor he cannot speak at this time.

___ b. He is planning to embarrass Victor later in the school year.

___ c. He knows why Victor is faking and sympathizes with Victor.

7. Analyze Plot Complete the following sentences. You may refer to your plot chart.

In the exposition, I learned that ______.

Two things that happen during the rising action are ______.

The climax of the story happens when ______.

During the falling action, ______

The resolution occurs when ______

______.

8. Make Judgments Victor wants to impress Teresa. He finally does impress her at the end of the story. However, her good impression of him is based on something that isn’t true. Underline a word or phrase in parentheses, and then complete the following sentence.

I ( think/ do not think) a good impression should always be based on the truth because

______.

Name______Period_____

“Seventh Grade” by Gary Soto

Figurative Language

Figurative language is language that is not intended to be understood in a strict literal sense. Many everyday expressions are figurative. When you ask someone “to lend a hand”, you are speaking figuratively. You are asking for that person’s help. When used imaginatively, figurative language adds a dimension of meaning to speech or writing.

The term figure of speech is often used for a specific kind figurative language. Two common figures of speech are simile and metaphor. A simile uses “like” or “as” to express a comparison between two different things. A metaphor compares two unlike items or events without the use of like or as.

Example:

The bell rang for first period, and the students herded noisily through the door. (page 14)

Simile or metaphor? ______

Explain the comparison ______

______

Example:

The rosebushes of shame on his face became bouquets of love.

Simile or metaphor? ______

Explain the comparison ______

______

Your assignment:

Directions:Find two more examples of similes or metaphors in our story “Seventh Grade”. Copy the complete sentence. Explain the comparison the author intends.

1.Copy the sentence______

______

Explain the comparison ______

______

Identify the type______

2.Copy the sentence______

______

Explain the comparison ______

______

Identify the type______