The Cricket in Times Square, by George Selden Lit Link Grades 4-6

The importance of friendship, feelings, and doing the honorable thing regardless of the consequences is stressed throughout the novel. The activities guide student learning and enjoyment through chapter-by-chapter questions. The additional activities in vocabulary, word study, and personal development help to improve literacy skills in communication, critical thinking, and more. Reproducible chapter questions, plus comprehension questions, a story summary, author biography, creative and cross curricular activities, complete with answer key. A novel by George Selden.

Overall Expectations; The students will:

- use good literature as a vehicle for developing skills in: reasoning and critical thinking, knowledge of language structure, vocabulary building, and use of conventions.

- identify and describe elements of stories (i.e. plot, main idea, characters, setting).

- learn about the dynamics of relationships, empathizing and looking out for others who are going through difficult times, learning unselfishness, and the ability to exercise initiative in difficult circumstances.

- relate events and feelings found in the novel to their own lives and experiences.

- appreciate the importance of friendship, loyalty, and sacrifice in personal relationships.

- learn how that standing up for what one feels is right, is the honorable thing to do.

- appreciate that the growth of one's character often comes through the trials of living.

- learn the importance of dealing with adversity and developing perseverance in the face of difficult experiences.

- state their own interpretation of a written work, using evidence from the novel and from their own knowledge and experience.

List of Skills

Vocabulary Development

1. Using content clues

2. Locating descriptive words/phrases

3. Listing synonyms, antonyms, homonyms

4. Use of capitals and punctuation

5. Identifying syllables

6. Listing compound words

7. Determining alphabetical order

8. Use of singular/plural nouns

9. Developing dictionary skills

10. Identifying parts of speech

11. Identify an analogy

12. Identifying an idiom

13. Identifying a simile

14. Identify alliteration.

Character Activities

1. Determine character traits

2. Compare two characters

3. Relating personal experiences

4. Understand concepts: friendship, perseverance

Creative and Critical Thinking

1. Research

2. Complete 5 W's Chart

3. Write a letter to a friend

4. Conduct an interview

5. Create a KWL Chart

6. Write a description of personal feelings

Setting Activities

1. Identify the details of a setting

Art Activities

1. Design a cricket house

2. Design a cover for the novel

3. Develop a Storyboard

Plot Activities

1. Complete a Story Map

2. Identify conflict in the story

3. Determine the role of others in one's personal growth

4. Develop a Storyboard

5. Identify a cliffhanger

6. Identify the climax of a novel

7. Develop a synopsis.