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.