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 SkillsVocabulary 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 words7. 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 Activities1. Determine character traits2. Compare two characters3. Relating personal experiences4. Understand concepts: friendship, perseveranceCreative and Critical Thinking1. Research2. Complete 5 W’s Chart3. Write a letter to a friend4. Conduct an interview5. Create a KWL Chart6. Write a description of personal feelingsSetting Activities          1. Identify the details of a setting     Art Activities1. Design a cricket house2. Design a cover for the novel3. Develop a StoryboardPlot Activities1. Complete a Story Map2. Identify conflict in the story3. Determine the role of others in one’s personal growth4. Develop a Storyboard5. Identify a cliffhanger6. Identify the climax of a novel7. Develop a synopsis.