Novel Ties The View from Saturday E.L. Konigsburg A Study Guide Written By Kathleen Fischer Edited by Joyce Friedland and Rikki Kessler LEARNING LINKS INC. 2300 Marcus Avenue New Hyde Park New York 11042
For the Teacher This reproducible study guide to use in conjunction with the book The View from Saturday consists of lessons for guided reading. Written in chapter-bychapter format, the guide contains a synopsis, pre-reading activities, vocabulary and comprehension exercises, as well as extension activities to be used as follow-up to the novel. In a homogeneous classroom, whole class instruction with one title is appropriate. In a heterogeneous classroom, reading groups should be formed: each group works on a different novel at its reading level. Depending upon the length of time devoted to reading in the classroom, each novel, with its guide and accompanying lessons, may be completed in three to six weeks. Begin using NOVEL-TIES for reading development by distributing the novel and a folder to each child. Distribute duplicated pages of the study guide for students to place in their folders. After examining the cover and glancing through the book, students can participate in several pre-reading activities. Vocabulary questions should be considered prior to reading a chapter; all other work should be done after the chapter has been read. Comprehension questions can be answered orally or in writing. The classroom teacher should determine the amount of work to be assigned, always keeping in mind that readers must be nurtured and that the ultimate goal is encouraging students love of reading. The benefits of using NOVEL-TIES are numerous. Students read good literature in the original, rather than in abridged or edited form. The good reading habits, formed by practice in focusing on interpretive comprehension and literary techniques, will be transferred to the books students read independently. Passive readers become active, avid readers. Novel-Ties are printed on recycled paper. The purchase of this study guide entitles an individual teacher to reproduce pages for use in a classroom. Reproduction for use in an entire school or school system or for commercial use is prohibited. Beyond the classroom use by an individual teacher, reproduction, transmittal or retrieval of this work is prohibited without written permission from the publisher. Copyright 1998, 2001, 2011 by LEARNING LINKS INC.
CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary: Draw a line from each word on the left to its definition on the right. Then use the numbered words to fill in the blanks in the sentences below. 1. brawn a. legal residence; home 2. condo b. disfigure; make defective 3. decorum c. under legal age; not yet legally an adult d. muscular power and strength 4. domicile e. informal form of the word condominium ; a unit 5. epiphany in an apartment complex in which apartments are individually owned 6. maim f. good taste; polite behavior 7. minor g. sudden intuitive understanding........................................................ 1. We all behaved with when the mayor visited our school. 2. The wrestling team used skill as well as to defeat its opponents. 3. Every in this building has an ocean view. 4. When I awoke from the dream, I experienced a(n) that changed my life forever. 5. Automobile accidents kill or thousands of people each year. 6. I had to list the address of my permanent on my passport application. 7. It is against the law for a(n) to purchase alcohol or cigarettes. Questions: Read to find out how Noah got to be best man. 1. What is an academic bowl? 2. Why did Mrs. Eva Marie Olinski give different answers when people asked how she chose members of the Academic Bowl team? 3. How was Noah s story about the B&B letter related to the Academic Bowl competition? 4. How did Noah come to spend a lot of time with Tillie Nachman? 5. How did the residents of Century Village get food for the wedding dinner? 6. How did the red wagon, the tuxedo T-shirt, and the calligraphy pen become significant objects on the day of the wedding? LEARNING LINKS INC. 4
Chapter 1 (cont.) Questions for Discussion: 1. Would you like Noah Gershom as a friend? How does his personality compare with those of your friends? 2. Do you think Noah regretted visiting his grandparents or actually enjoyed himself? 3. What did Tillie Nachman teach Noah about life as she was teaching him calligraphy? 4. Why do you think Noah was able to begin his B&B letter? 5. Why do you think Mrs. Olinski chose Noah for the team? Language Study: Yiddish Yiddish is the language spoken by the Jews of Central and Eastern Europe, beginning in the tenth century. It is a fusion of medieval German, Hebrew, Aramaic, Old French, Old Italian, and Slavic languages. The Gershoms are Jewish. When Grandpa Nate embarrassed Grandma Sadie in front of Nate, she said, Sha! a shanda far die kinder, which is Yiddish for Hush, it s a shame for the children. Nate used the following Yiddish words and expressions in his description of the wedding. Find out the meaning and pronunciation of each of the following words: chupah mazel tov pareve Literary Devices: I. Simile A simile is a figure of speech in which a comparison between two unlike objects is stated directly using the words like or as. Underline the simile in this passage: Century Village where my Gershom grandparents live is not like any place I had ever been to. It is in Florida, but it is not exactly Disney World or Sea World or other regular destinations. It is like a theme park for old people. What two things are being compared in this simile? How does this simile help you to understand Noah s feelings about the community where his grandparents live? LEARNING LINKS INC. 5
Chapter 1 (cont.) II. Flashback A flashback is a section of a novel that interrupts the chronological sequence of events to relate something that happened at an earlier time. This device is used to provide information about events that occurred before the action of the novel or to suggest a character s motivation. What was the flashback in Chapter One? This flashback is the longest part of the chapter. What is its purpose? III. Allusion An allusion in literature is a reference to a famous historical, mythological, religious, or literary person or event. By naming Tillie Nachman s cat T.S., the author alludes to what famous poet? Do some research to discover the title of the whimsical book of verse about cats that the poet wrote. Also, find out the name of the Broadway musical that was based on this book. Writing Activities: 1. Tillie Nachman taught Noah a valuable skill and an important lesson. Think of someone who did the same for you. Write a descriptive essay about that person and about the lesson you learned. 2. Write about a time when you or someone you know had to act creatively, as Noah did, to save an important occasion. Describe the crisis and tell how it was solved. LEARNING LINKS INC. 6