“Zebra”

Preview: Write the words and their definitions below.

Word / Definition

List 5-10 facts you have learned about the Vietnam War.

Visualize: As you listen to the story, visualize the main characters and draw them below.

Zebra / Mr. John Wilson

Question: Find the answers to the questions below as you read.

  1. What happened to Zebra to change his life drastically?

2. What information does the reader receive about Mr. Wilson at first?

3. What did Zebra notice about himself when he looked at Andrea’s picture?

  1. he looked really sad
  2. he had a scar above his eye from skating
  3. he looked like a mouse
  4. he needed a hair cut

4. Visualize: Draw a picture of the project Zebra was working on when he first realized he could use his hand.

5. What did Adam draw as his final gift to Mr. Wilson?

  1. a running zebra
  2. a picture of himself
  3. a landscape with a helicopter and a zebra
  4. a helicopter

6. What name did Mr. Wilson ask Adam to write on his picture?

  1. John
  2. Zebra
  3. Adam Martin Zebrin
  4. Leon
  1. What did Mr. Wilson do with the picture Zebra gave him?
  1. What did Andrea say to Zebra at the end of the story? Why is this important?

What was your first impression of Mr. Wilson? Zebra? How did your impression change as you got to know him? Use your ideas to complete the chart.

Words to Describe Zebra / Words to Describe Mr. Wilson
At First
In the end

Vocabulary Review:

Circle the word that is most different from the other words in each cell.

Joyously
Glumly
Enthusiastically
Exuberantly / Thick
Fat
Gaunt
Full / Dangerous
Menacing
Threatening
Harmless
Cringe
Flinch
Wince
Approach / Weakling
Disciplinarian
Drill Sergeant
Coach / Elaborate
Ornate
Intricate
Plain
Clean
Encrusted
Caked
Coated / Ready
Poised
Waiting
Late / Easing
Loosening
Relaxing
Tensing

Choose the vocabulary word that best completes each sentence.

  1. I could tell he was having a good day because he smiled ______.
  1. The villain looked ______because of his dark suit and evil stare.
  1. We admired the ______artwork on display. There were so many details; it must have taken the artist months to finish.
  1. The swimmers were ______on the blocks waiting for the starting bell to begin their race.
  1. It was hard not to ______when I read the article about the terrible living conditions in Somalia.